Stony Brook University Research Shows Positive Results Using Gruenberg Dry Heat Sterilizer on N95 Masks

Thermal Product Solutions, LLC (TPS), a global manufacturer of thermal-processing and sterilizing equipment, recently announced their efforts to prove the efficacy of dry heat sterilization on personal protective equipment (PPE) in the fight against COVID-19. One of the facilities they have partnered with in this effort is Stony Brook University located in New York. Stony Brook University recently released an article detailing their preliminary research and finding.

Pilot studies were conducted at the MART (Medical and Research Translation) building at Stony Brook University. The research team used a Gruenberg dry heat sterilizer to determine if there was degradation of the N95 masks after several rounds of dry heat treatment. Results from the testing were positive, showing that the heat treatment did not cause visible structural damage and had no effect on the straps. According to Dr. Shroyer of Stony Brook University, “Fit-test scores were virtually identical between masks processed through four repeated cycles, suggesting that this approach could effectively increase the usable supply of N95 masks by a factor of five. It appears that the heat treatment can also be used to treat other types of surgical face masks.”

After initial tests, the Gruenberg team visited the site to test with thermal data collection probes inserted into the masks along with bacterial biological indicators populated by Stony Brook and retest. These tests indicated a positive six (6) log kill which means that 99.9999% of the biological material is killed. A six (6) log kill is needed to claim disinfection. The Stony Brook University team reviewed all of the test cycles along with the thermal data collected to make modifications to their sterilization protocol. Read the full article for details on this innovative research https://news.stonybrook.edu/sb_medicine/dry-heat-ovens-can-effectively-disinfect-n95-masks/.