DISCUSSION PAPER ON

3-PLY SURGICAL MASK STERILISATION BY

ULTRAVIOLET (UV) LIGHT

FOR: MS CHOO SIEW LING (DEPUTY GENERAL MANAGER)

BY: NOOR AZALINA BINTI AMAT (MICROBIOLOGIST)

This paper is to report the finding outcomes of 3-ply surgical mask sterilization. The discussion in this
paper was made solely based on the research studies from recent article journals, trusted reputable
websites and the intelligence of a 23-years old microbiologist. The conclusion on this paper came
from the opinion of the author who wants the best for the company progress in term of science and
health safety of both staff and employers.
 PURPOSES
1. To discuss the possibility of reusing surgical face mask.
2. To discuss the capability of sterilising face mask in workplace.

POSSIBILITY OF REUSING SURGICAL FACE MASK

Based on thorough reading on recent journal papers and studies that have been
developed since this Covid-19 pandemic occurred, 3-ply disposable surgical mask is never
intended to be used more than once as it can lose its effectiveness to protect both the
person wearing it and the person nearby. Researches have shown that prolong usage of mask
of more than 8 hours can no longer protect the users as effective as a new one. This is
because bacteria, germs, dust, viruses from the environment, all have accumulated/trapped in
both outer layer and filter layer whereas the inner layer of the mask has accumulated with
bacteria from our mouth. Besides, due to long usage time, inner layer and filter layer become
moist or damp, in which later it promotes the growth of these bacteria and germs.
However, with a proper method, reusing face mask can be a solution for any
organization that face a serious shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and left
with this only option rather than stuck with nothing to protect the staff and employee. Centre
of Disease Control (CDC) has released guidelines for healthcare personnel to reuse mask in
the case of shortage of supply.
1. The mask should only be reused by the same person.
2. The mask with extended usage should be worn at all time rather than putting it on and
off repeatedly.
3. When the mask not in use, the mask should be stored in breathable container.
A research stated that Covid-19 virus can live on surface for up to 72 hours. From this
information, extra measures can be implemented by having four (4) masks to be used and
rotate them daily. When not in used, place the masks in well-ventilated area for around 72
hours to let the virus (if any) on mask surface die. For rural areas or countries that difficult to
obtain proper mask, they are advised to use another type of mask; cloth mask. For this type of
mask, World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted that the cloth used must be washed
with soap and dried at high heat as heat can kill coronavirus at temperature approximately
57°C. By combining these methods; same person usage, 4 masks rotations and expose to high
heat, reusing face mask can be beneficial rather than left with no mask at all.
 CAPABILITY OF STERILISING FACE MASK IN WORKPLACE
There are many ways to sterilise things such as exposing them to high heat, boiling
them, washing them with chemical disinfectants or using irradiation. Ultraviolet (UV) light
becomes the best applicable option as it does not disrupt the materials of the masks. For
places that have access to UV light, this measure can be applied to increase the safety and
security of using used masks.
A similar study of sterilizing mask has been conducted recently where the researchers
use N95 respirator as study subject. The masks were subjected to sterilization using
ultraviolet light (UV) type C from biosafety cabinet. Despite the difference of target subject,
the concept of the research is the same with this paper’s aim. Method of sterilizing the N95
respirator is simplified as below.
From arrival of used masks that have been packed in proper container/plastic;
1. Aseptically take out the masks from each container/plastic and transfer them on clean
working bench of biosafety cabinet (BSC) with proper distance with each other. This
is to ensure the respirator are not overlapping each other as unexposed area will not be
sterilised.
2. Close the BSC hood and turn on the UV light for 20 minutes. UV light type C is not
safe for human skin under prolong exposure, hence, keep a good distance with the
BSC.
3. Turn off UV light, open hood and aseptically flip the masks. While lifting the mask,
the area below the mask should be sanitized with 70% alcohol before putting the mask
on the bench.
4. Close hood and turn on UV light again for 20 minutes.
5. Turn off UV light and open hood. Aseptically transfer each of the mask into
individual sterile plastic beg/packaging. Sanitize the bench area under the masks
again.
The author of this paper said that this method should be implemented only if the mask
urgently needs to be reused. No guaranteed that it has completed the sterilization or
decontamination but at least the germ, bacteria or viruses can be killed although not fully.
Nothing is 100% sure because used materials are never as good as new ones.
As mentioned in the research, there are some limitations that can also happen to
surgical mask if it becomes the subject of study. First, ultraviolet type C (UVC) has been
shown to transmit into N95 material with 23%-50% depth depending on the material type.
The higher the filtration ability of the mask, the less penetration the UVC ability. Second
limitation is there will be physical degradation of mask material thus it could lead to loss of
filtration ability due to prolong and multiple decontamination cycle.
 CONCLUSION
Based on the elaborated discussion on both sub topics, 3-ply disposable surgical mask
should not be reused. However, in certain case like shortage of mask supply, reusing mask
can be an option. This option should be executed with proper additional measures to increase
the safety and sanitary of the used mask.
From discussion 2, method to sterilize N95 respirator were elaborated and it can be applied to
surgical mask as well. The research has some limitations in the study and by comparing the
difference in the study facility and the F&B facility, several things need to be taken into
account.
1. Working bench – The research used biosafety cabinet to project the ultraviolet light
which it provides good sterile technique and a necessary containment device when
working with potentially infectious materials. It also purifies the air of potentially
infectious aerosols whereas laminar flow only provides a sterile environment to
protect the product. Air potentially contaminated with infectious agents may be blown
towards the worker. LFHs should only be used for work with non-infectious materials
such as media preparation. They should never be used with potentially infectious
materials, toxins, volatile chemicals, or materials that may cause hypersensitivity to
the worker.

2. Quantity and time – In biosafety cabinet (BSC), in which it is much bigger than
laminar flow, only nine (9) N95 masks can be placed in the BSC for a period of 40
minutes sterilization cycle according to the study. In case of laminar flow, which is
relatively smaller than BSC and with surgical mask which has larger surface area than
N95 mask, laminar flow can accommodate maximum of only six (6) face masks at a
time. Besides, due to long time exposure for a cycle to complete, it will delay the
daily work testing in the laboratory.

3. Distance of penetration and surface area – The study shows only 23% - 50% of UV
light penetration into the N95 respirator material. As surgical mask has three layers,
the penetration efficiency of UV light may also result as the same as N95 respirator.
Other than that, given that there is a far distance between UV light source and the
target, the efficiency of sterilization is uncertain.

From these limitations, it can be concluded that sterilizing masks in F&B laboratory setting is
not efficient to achieve the purpose of sterilizing viruses in mask. For other solution that can
be presented is to use commercial portable sterilizer as it provides less distance from light
source to target, easy to handle, shorter time (approximate of 3 minutes) and well established
as it has been sold worldwide.