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Development of an Ultraviolet-C Irradiation Room in a Public Portuguese Hospital for Safe Re-Utilization of Personal Protective Respirators

Author

Listed:
  • Jorge Padrão

    (Centre for Textile Science and Technology (2C2T), School of Engineering, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal)

  • Talita Nicolau

    (Centre for Textile Science and Technology (2C2T), School of Engineering, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal)

  • Helena P. Felgueiras

    (Centre for Textile Science and Technology (2C2T), School of Engineering, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal)

  • Carla Calçada

    (Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
    ICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory, University of Minho, 4806-909 Guimarães, Portugal)

  • Maria Isabel Veiga

    (Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
    ICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory, University of Minho, 4806-909 Guimarães, Portugal)

  • Nuno S. Osório

    (Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
    ICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory, University of Minho, 4806-909 Guimarães, Portugal)

  • Marcos S. Martins

    (Center for MicroElectroMechanics Systems (CMEMS), School of Engineering, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
    LABBELS—Associate Laboratory, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal)

  • Nuno Dourado

    (Center for MicroElectroMechanics Systems (CMEMS), School of Engineering, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
    LABBELS—Associate Laboratory, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal)

  • António Taveira-Gomes

    (Department of Surgery, Pedro Hispano Hospital, Local Health Unit Matosinhos (Public-Private Partnerships), 4464-513 Senhora da Hora, Portugal
    Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal)

  • Fernando Ferreira

    (Department of Surgery, Pedro Hispano Hospital, Local Health Unit Matosinhos (Public-Private Partnerships), 4464-513 Senhora da Hora, Portugal)

  • Andrea Zille

    (Centre for Textile Science and Technology (2C2T), School of Engineering, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal)

Abstract

Almost two years have passed since COVID-19 was officially declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. However, it still holds a tight grasp on the entire human population. Several variants of concern, one after another, have spread throughout the world. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) omicron variant may become the fastest spreading virus in history. Therefore, it is more than evident that the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) will continue to play a pivotal role during the current pandemic. This work depicts an integrative approach attesting to the effectiveness of ultra-violet-C (UV-C) energy density for the sterilization of personal protective equipment, in particular FFP2 respirators used by the health care staff in intensive care units. It is increasingly clear that this approach should not be limited to health care units. Due to the record-breaking spreading rates of SARS-CoV-2, it is apparent that the use of PPE, in particular masks and respirators, will remain a critical tool to mitigate future pandemics. Therefore, similar UV-C disinfecting rooms should be considered for use within institutions and companies and even incorporated within household devices to avoid PPE shortages and, most importantly, to reduce environmental burdens.

Suggested Citation

  • Jorge Padrão & Talita Nicolau & Helena P. Felgueiras & Carla Calçada & Maria Isabel Veiga & Nuno S. Osório & Marcos S. Martins & Nuno Dourado & António Taveira-Gomes & Fernando Ferreira & Andrea Zille, 2022. "Development of an Ultraviolet-C Irradiation Room in a Public Portuguese Hospital for Safe Re-Utilization of Personal Protective Respirators," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-14, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:8:p:4854-:d:795455
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. José G. B. Derraik & William A. Anderson & Elizabeth A. Connelly & Yvonne C. Anderson, 2020. "Rapid Review of SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 Viability, Susceptibility to Treatment, and the Disinfection and Reuse of PPE, Particularly Filtering Facepiece Respirators," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-31, August.
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