The Ultraviolet Germicidal Chamber [LUMOS-TEZ] for Decontamination of N95 Face Filter Respirator.

Prof. Dr. Sarita Agrawal; Dr. Sashi Sekhar Dubey; Dr. Sanjay Singh Negi; Dr. Padma Das; Dr. Ajoy Behra

Volume : IX, Issue : VIII, August - 2020

The Ultraviolet Germicidal Chamber [LUMOS-TEZ] for Decontamination of N95 Face Filter Respirator.

Prof. Dr. Sarita Agrawal, Dr. Sashi Sekhar Dubey, Dr. Sanjay Singh Negi, Dr. Padma Das, Dr. Ajoy Behra

Abstract :

The current COVID 19 pandemic has led to a dangerous shortage of personal protective equipment around the globe which includes N95 face filter respirators. UV– C is one of decontamination agent being tried for effective decontamination of N95 mask and some other PPE�S also. The objectives of this study were to determine the efficacy of Ultraviolet– C at wavelength of 254nm for effective decontamination & to determine the minimum duration of UV–C exposure required to effectively decontaminate N95 masks. The efficacy of UV –C chamber LUMOS TEZ UV–C delivering UV–C intensity of 0.06 mW/cm2 was evaluated using set of step wise predesigned experiments on bacterial & viral samples. First experiment inferred effective inhibition of bacterial growths both in culture plates as well as in Eppendorf tubes the second experiment demonstrated inactivation of COVID 19 virus in Eppendorf tubes. The third experiment inferred minimum duration of exposure required is 30 minutes Conclusion: The designed UV–C chamber is effective in decontamination of N–95 masks contaminated with bacteria and covid–19 virus hence may be an effective decontamination measure for N–95 masks and may help in overcoming the shortage of N–95 masks.