Introduction
FFP1 and FFP2 masks are indispensable protective elements during epidemics. They are intended for single-use, but during a crisis the re-usage is inevitable and disinfection mechanisms are required (1)⁠. During the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemics, hospitals, healthcare centers, and research facilities have implemented different mechanisms of disinfection for these masks, usually involving ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) and/or heat of some sort. Nonetheless, these methods are not available to many vulnerable parts of the population, where nonetheless, due to shortage, the re-usage of these masks has become the only option. The need for a viable method of disinfection of face masks is further increased by evidence of SARS-CoV-2 being extremely stable on the surface of surgical masks even after 7 days (2)⁠.

This project intends to create a low budget and portable device that can effectively use UVGI and dry heat to disinfect face masks from SARS-CoV virions and that can be easily reproduced by people who need it.

DIY instruction on making disinfection device:
https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/needlab/face-masks-disinfection-device-needlab-3ed2f5

Video: https://youtu.be/80U3OEzU6fs
 

• Temperature must be maintained in the range 65+/-5°C
• The lamp must provide UV-C wavelength.
• The disinfection cycle duration is minimum of 30 minutes. (recommendation: Not more than 30 min in order to have a safer range to avoid potential face-mask degradation and loss of functionality.)