3M details how to clean, disinfect respirators following COVID-19 exposure

By Rachel Engel

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Following updated guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control, 3M Scott released a technical bulletin regarding the cleaning and disinfecting of full facepiece respirators following a possible COVID-19 exposure.

The company acknowledged that it has received several inquiries about regulator and facepiece disinfection procedures as they pertain to first responders, prompting the new guidance.

The bulletin lists 10 recommendations for providers to follow for disinfecting respirators:

1. Cleaning is recommended after each use. Nitrile/vinyl gloves should be worn during cleaning.
2. Remove any filters or cartridges.
3. Remove other accessories
4. Inspect the facepiece to check for damage or excessive wear marks.
5. Immerse the facepiece in warm water that does not exceed 110 degrees Fahrenheit and scrub with a soft brush. You may add neutral detergent if needed.
6. Rinse in fresh warm water.
7. Disinfect the facepiece with a 5,000-ppm hypochlorite solution with either a full spray or a one-minute immersion into the solution.
8. Rinse with fresh warm water.
9. Air dry in a clean area.
10. Reassemble the respirator.

Read the full bulletin from 3M Scott below:

Additional resources:

• CDC announces PPE usage calculator tool
• 11 unlikely sources of PPE donations