July 2020 Final | Page 6

Prevention (CDC). www.AmericanSecurityToday.com July 2020 - Edition 46 Moist heat decontamination is achieved by treating masks with 149°F steam for 30 minutes. Key steps include 1. placing the mask(s) in a paper bag, 2. filling the multi-cooker with a half inch of water and 3. setting the bag on a rack inside of the multi-cooker. S&T verified these conditions inactivate the virus below detectable limits in culture media and simulated saliva, while the masks still meet performance specifications after five treatments. Further research will determine if the virus is also inactivated in lung fluid, and whether this process is effective for additional https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=At3fB0wamws&feature=emb_logo (Vital PPE such as filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) is in limited supply due to high demand. The S&T has identified programmable multi-cookers with a sous vide or equivalent setting, as a suitable means to treat FFRs using moist heat at home. Courtesy of Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) and YouTube.) 6