Rinse and Disinfect

We recommend heat disinfecting Airgami after suspected exposure to viruses. The filter used in Airgami can meet 95% filtration efficiency after the equivalent of 48 cycles of heat disinfections.

Disclaimer

The studies on heat disinfecting respirators are an on-going effort in the scientific community. The methods described here are based on our best understanding at the time and will be updated as we learn more.

Air99 does not warrant that our customers following these procedures will be able to neutralize all infectious agents coming into contact with Airgami.

Warning

Please handle Airgami by the harness lobes only. These are where the harness attaches to the mask on the left and right sides. Avoid touching the Airgami surface. Deformation could affect the fit and function.

DO NOT SUBJECT AIRGAMI TO TEMPERATURES ABOVE 90 °C (194 °F).

Only use the heating methods and conditions described in this instruction. DO NOT USE ANY OTHER HEATING METHODS.

Please note that we SUSPENDED THE MICROWAVE METHOD because of the variability of the amount of water present and as a result, the variability of the temperature Airgami may experience. If you have used the microwave method before, your Airgami is most likely okay but please switch to the conventional oven method or the Instant Pot method going forward. 

DO NOT REUSE AIRGAMI IF IT SHOWS ANY SIGNS OF MELTING OR BURNING.

What Not to Use

DO NOT DISINFECT WITH GERMICIDAL LAMP, ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL, SOAP, BLEACH, VINEGAR OR OTHER CHEMICALS. DO NOT USE ANY TYPE OF OIL. These damage the filter.

Rinse and Air-Dry

Rinsing in water is NOT equivalent to disinfection.

Rinsing in water takes care of sweat, smell, etc. It can be done after each usage.

Hold the harness lobes with both hands, let gentle running water rinse the inside and the outside of Airgami. Only water should be touching the Airgami surface. Do NOT rub any surface of Airgami by hand or with any tools.

Please wait until Airgami is completely dry before using it again as the effectiveness of the filter is reduced when wet.

Heat Disinfection Using Conventional Oven

Precautions: 

  • Only use a temperature-calibrated conventional oven (electric or gas). DO NOT USE A TOASTER OVEN because a toaster oven does not have accurate temperature control in the low temperature range. A toaster oven can melt Airgami.
  • DO NOT PUT AIRGAMI IN THE OVEN DURING PRE-HEATING. The top and bottom heating elements are in full blast during preheating and can melt Airgami.
  • Most ovens overshoot during preheating to compensate for the heat loss when opening the door.
  • Keep Airgami away from oven's walls and heating elements.
  • Do not cook anything else in the oven at the same time.

Steps:

  1. Select "Warm" mode, pre-heat oven to 77 °C (170 °F) WITHOUT THE AIRGAMI.
  2. TURN OFF OVEN once it reaches the set temperature.
  3. Place Airgami (dry or wet, shake off excess water if wet) in a clean, oven-compatible pan that has no oil or grease on it. Make sure ear loops or head straps are contained within the pan, not dangling.
  4. Open the oven door to transfer the pan with Airgami to the center of the middle rack. Remove any top racks that might touch Airgami.
  5. Keep Airgami in the oven for 30 minutes.
  6. Remove Airgami promptly and allow it to air-dry if damp.

Heat Disinfection Using Instant Pot or Equivalent (But NOT Traditional Pressure Cooker)

Precautions: 

  • Only use the older model that has the "Slow Cook - Less" setting.
  • The newer model "Slow Cook" reaches 95 °C (203 °F), which risks melting Airgami.

Program Instant Pot:

  • Press "Slow Cook" button multiple times until the "Less" indicator is illuminated. This corresponds to a temperature range of 82 - 88 °C (180 - 190 °F).
  • Program the timer to be 30 minutes.

Steps:

  1. Place Airgami (dry or wet, shake off excess water if wet) on the wire platform and close the lid. Do not let any part of Airgami touch the bottom of the pot, where the heating element is. There is no need to add water to the pot.
  2. Turn on "Slow Cook" and turn off "Keep Warm".
  3. Leave the valve in the vent position. 
  4. Allow program to run to completion.
  5. Remove Airgami and allow it to air-dry if damp.

    Literature

    Use Heat to Kill SARS-CoV-2, July 2, 2020. In order to kill COVID‐19, heat virus‐containing objects for: 3 minutes at temperature above 75 °C (160 °F); 5 minutes for temperatures above 65 °C (149 °F); 20 minutes for temperatures above 60 °C (140 °F).

    Decontamination of surgical face masks and N95 respirators by dry heat pasteurization for one hour at 70 °C, May 30, 2020. 

    Inactivation of Coronaviruses by Heat, March 31, 2020. 60 °C for 30 min, 65 °C for 15 min and 80 °C for 1 min was effective to strongly reduce coronavirus infectivity.