COVID-19: WHY NOT RE-USE SURGICAL MASKS?

Waiting for a bus

This blogpost is a question for which I cannot find a suitable answer.  Can the general public re-use surgical masks, or if not why not?


WHAT ARE SURGICAL MASKS, AND WHAT ARE THEY FOR?

"Surgical Masks" (aka "medical masks") are the typically light blue masks made to the EN14683 standard.  They consist of a triple layer of material, typically melt-blown polymer, most commonly polypropylene, placed between non-woven fabric.  The tri-layer masks have been used regularly in South East Asia for years, especially during 'flu season to protect one another.  Masks can also be useful to filter polluted air.  Wearing of these masks by the general public certainly isn't new.


RE-USE OF SURGICAL MASKS

In an actual medical environment, surgical masks are used by front-line professionals.  In that context, surgical masks are regarded as single-use and should be disposed.

But is that necessary for the general public?

We ae advised that we can wash fabric face coverings and re-use them.  Why not Surgical Masks?  If they are better than fabrics to start with, why would washing them at modest temperature make them any worse?

There doesn't seem to be any coatings that could be disrupted by soap or detergent.  But even then the nature of the fabric would make them better than ordinary fabrics if washed.

Simple question.  Why no available answer?


ECOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES

The use of surgical masks by medical professionals and the general public across the world is very good for the manufacturers and their supply chains fore and aft.

Mask down

But the sheer quantities involved are a drain on resources, and can result in a shortage for medical professionals.

There's also a growing problem in their disposal. We're all familiar with masks discard on roads and worse.  But the pressure  on landfill is also most unwelcome.


FINANCIAL INCENTIVE

I also have a personal objective.  My box of surgical masks is about to run out, and that's £30 for the next box if I don't shop around.  Surgical masks aren't cheap.

The mask in the photo above was one of three that I was given before I could buy my own.  I had to re-use the three masks, so hand washed them in rotation.  There was no obvious change in physical properties.  I can find no mention of coatings that would get disrupted by detergent or soap.  In any case, the basic construction would be better than simple fabrics.

So someone, please tell me.  Can the general public wash and re-use surgical masks, or if not why not?  Thanks.