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Decontamination of a surgical mask with UV radiation: experiments and optical simulations
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  • Jukka A. Ketoja,
  • Titta Kiiskinen,
  • Oliver Mangs,
  • Jussi Virkajärvi,
  • Farid Elsehrawy,
  • Satu Salo,
  • Arttu Miettinen,
  • Janne Halme,
  • Ali Harlin
Jukka A. Ketoja
Teknologian tutkimuskeskus VTT Oy

Corresponding Author:jukka.ketoja@vtt.fi

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Titta Kiiskinen
Teknologian tutkimuskeskus VTT Oy
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Oliver Mangs
Teknologian tutkimuskeskus VTT Oy
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Jussi Virkajärvi
Teknologian tutkimuskeskus VTT Oy
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Farid Elsehrawy
Aalto-yliopisto Teknillisen fysiikan laitos
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Satu Salo
Teknologian tutkimuskeskus VTT Oy
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Arttu Miettinen
Jyvaskylan yliopiston Nanotiedekeskus
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Janne Halme
Aalto-yliopisto Teknillisen fysiikan laitos
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Ali Harlin
Teknologian tutkimuskeskus VTT Oy
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Abstract

The suitability of ultraviolet (UV) radiation for the decontamination of a surgical face mask was studied by comparing experiments with ray-tracing optical simulations. The 3D fiber network was constructed from X-ray tomography images of the layered mask structure consisting of polypropylene fibers. Both simulations and optical measurements on reflection and transmission indicated that UV light was able to penetrate even the deepest material regions. The decontamination experiments, carried out using Staphylococcus aureus and MS2 microbes, indicated an over 6 log 10 reduction in viable virus contamination of the inner filtering layer. This was achieved within two minutes at a moderate dosage level of 0.22 J/cm 2. The simulations show that despite radiation reflection from the outer mask layer, a significant dosage enters the actual filtering layer due to multiple refraction and scattering of UV light from the inner fibers. This leads to an effective decontamination of fibers with small external UV dosage.
21 Feb 2024Submission Checks Completed
21 Feb 2024Assigned to Editor
21 Feb 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
27 Mar 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending