Inactivation of Severe Acute Respiratory Coronavirus Virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and Diverse RNA and DNA Viruses on Three-Dimensionally Printed Surgical Mask Materials

• Published in: Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology Vol. 42; no. 3; pp. 253 - 260
• Main Authors: Welch, Jennifer L, Xiang, Jinhua, Mackin, Samantha R, Perlman, Stanley, Thorne, Peter, O'Shaughnessy, Patrick, Strzelecki, Brian, Aubin, Patrick, Ortiz-Hernandez, Monica, Stapleton, Jack T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Cambridge University Press 01.03.2021
• Subjects: 2-Propanol; 3-D printers; Acquired immune deficiency syndrome; Adenoviruses; AIDS; Ammonium; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; COVID-19 - prevention & control; Decontamination; Decontamination - methods; Dengue fever; Deoxyribonucleic acid; Disease transmission; Disinfectants; Disinfectants - pharmacology; Disinfection & disinfectants; Disinfection - methods; DNA; DNA, Viral - drug effects; Experiments; Genomes; Healthy Volunteers; HIV; HIV-1 - drug effects; Hot Temperature; Human immunodeficiency virus; Humans; Hydrogen Peroxide; Inactivation; Influenza; Masks; Original; Pandemics; Pathogens; Personal Protective Equipment; Printing, Three-Dimensional; Protective equipment; Public health; Respiratory diseases; RNA, Viral - drug effects; SARS-CoV-2 - drug effects; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Virus Diseases - prevention & control; Virus Inactivation; Zika virus; United States > US
• DOI: 10.1017/ice.2020.417
• ISSN: 0899-823X

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is a critical need during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Alternative sources of surgical masks, including 3-dimensionally (3D) printed approaches that may be reused, are urgently needed to prevent PPE shortages. Few data exist identifying decontamination strategies to inactivate viral pathogens and retain 3D-printing material integrity. To test viral disinfection methods on 3D-printing materials. The viricidal activity of common disinfectants (10% bleach, quaternary ammonium sanitizer, 3% hydrogen peroxide, or 70% isopropanol and exposure to heat (50°C, and 70°C) were tested on four 3D-printed materials used in the healthcare setting, including a surgical mask design developed by the Veterans' Health Administration. Inactivation was assessed for several clinically relevant RNA and DNA pathogenic viruses, including severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1). SARS-CoV-2 and all viruses tested were completely inactivated by a single application of bleach, ammonium quaternary compounds, or hydrogen peroxide. Similarly, exposure to dry heat (70°C) for 30 minutes completely inactivated all viruses tested. In contrast, 70% isopropanol reduced viral titers significantly less well following a single application. Inactivation did not interfere with material integrity of the 3D-printed materials. Several standard decontamination approaches effectively disinfected 3D-printed materials. These approaches were effective in the inactivation SARS-CoV-2, its surrogates, and other clinically relevant viral pathogens. The decontamination of 3D-printed surgical mask materials may be useful during crisis situations in which surgical mask supplies are limited.