Since the onset of the pandemic, many hospitals have faced a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as N95 masks. As a result, researchers have started evaluating the impact of various methods of decontamination on how well masks filter out viral particles — all in … [Read more...] about Study: Dry heat can be used to disinfect N95 masks
PPE
This zombie escape room prepared clinicians for the pandemic
Back in 2019, the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System began running escape room simulations to teach clinicians about the importance of personal protective equipment (PPE) and infection-halting measures in a highly infectious medical setting. Organizers Kristy Causey and … [Read more...] about This zombie escape room prepared clinicians for the pandemic
Researchers recycle discarded face masks to make stronger road material
In addition to a global health crisis, the pandemic has also exacerbated our toxic relationship with plastic, with millions of single-use face masks and gloves ending up in the environment daily. There are some ways, however, we can mitigate this new form of pollution. … [Read more...] about Researchers recycle discarded face masks to make stronger road material
This project is turning PPE waste scraps into bedrolls for those in need
Since the start of the pandemic last year, the landscape of waste has changed significantly, with the production of personal protective equipment (PPE) like masks and gloves creating a common source of waste in virtually all parts of the world. Well aware of the issue, Indian … [Read more...] about This project is turning PPE waste scraps into bedrolls for those in need
These effective face masks are made with abaca leaf fibers
Rather than make masks from plastic-derived materials, a company in the Philippines has turned to abaca leaf fibers. As reported by Bloomberg, abaca is as strong as polyester, but unlike polyester, it can decompose in just two months. The fiber is commonly used in the Philippines … [Read more...] about These effective face masks are made with abaca leaf fibers