Here is the messaging we've been sending out.
We at 3M have been studying ways to sterilize or disinfect disposable N95 respirators for years. There are at least four key aspects of successful disinfection of respirators, and most studies do not take all four into consideration. The disinfection method must be effective against the target organism, such as the virus that causes COVID-19, it must not damage the respirator's filtration, it must not affect the respirator's fit, and it must be safe for the person wearing the respirator (e.g. no off-gassing of chemicals into the breathing zone). If the filtration is damaged or the respirator does not fit it will not help reduce exposure to airborne particles at the level indicated, such as N95. So far, no disinfection method has met those four essential criteria and without all four the method is not acceptable.
3M is now working with several major sterilization and disinfection companies and consulting with external experts to develop an effective disinfection method. We are hopeful that we will find an effective method soon. We have had many offers to work with other companies and we appreciate all of the collaboration. We are going to focus our efforts on a finding a solution as quickly as possible and then expand to working with other companies.
Technical Data Bulletin
We have not recommended EtO because there is concern that EtO could be held in the respirator and might off-gas into the wearer's breathing zone.
=46rom OSHA: "Ethylene oxide (EtO) is produced in large volumes and is primarily used as an intermediate in the production of several industrial chemicals, the most notable of which is ethylene glycol. It is also used as a fumigant in certain agricultural products and as a sterilant for medical equipment and supplies. Unfortunately, EtO possesses several physical and health hazards that merit special attention. EtO is both flammable and highly reactive. Acute exposures to EtO gas may result in respiratory irritation and lung injury, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, shortness of breath, and cyanosis. Chronic exposure has been associated with the occurrence of cancer, reproductive effects, mutagenic changes, neurotoxicity, and sensitization."
