Table 2.
Decontamination methods used to sterilise face masks.
| Decontamination Method | Equipment Required | Physical Impact on Mask | Safety Concerns | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) | UV source — mercury lamp | N95 strength loss at 120 J/cm 2. Damages the polymer and strap. | Due to the creases in masks, UV light may be blocked or distributed unevenly. | Lindsley et al. 2015 |
| Vaporised hydrogen peroxide (VHP) | Commercially available Battelle Critical Care Decontamination System | Damaged metallic nosebands. | Organic waste can deactivate O2. | Torres et al. 2020 |
| Microwave Inactivation | Microwave oven — lab grade or kitchen | N95 melting | Excessive heat (above 80 °C) damages the mask. | Polkinghorne and Branley (2020) |
| Moist Steam Sterilisation | Autoclave | Masks shrank and stiffened. Plastic cord slightly melted. | Moisture causes mask electrets to de-charge. | Daeschler et al. (2020) |