Non-Thermal Cold Plasma Technology for Decontamination of Personal Protective Equipment (Face Masks and Face Shields) from SARS-COV2

Led by Sagar M. Goyal, PhD, professor, Veterinary Population Medicine, this study will test the use of cold plasma (CAP) to decontaminate face masks and face shields. CAP is gas that is partially ionized by an electric field and comprises photons, ions, free electrons, and reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. Researchers believe CAP has many advantages over other non-thermal sterilization technologies. "We hypothesize that this CAP system can be used for non-thermal decontamination of face masks and face shields from SARS-CoV2 surrogates without affecting their filtration and fitting performances," said Goyal. "This will encourage the re-use of these items in pandemic situations when shortages of this precious commodity for health care workers is present." According to Goyal, the work will provide a cost effective, safe, and efficient non-thermal technology for decontamination of used PPE that has the potential to overcome the insufficient global stockpile of PPE, and mitigate the economic and public health burdens of the COVID-19 pandemic.