Replies

That's a good point about how destructive O3 can be to rubber or plastic. Decades ago, I had a brief engineering internship in a testing lab, where I tested plastic and rubber parts for (among other things) ozone resistance. After a couple of weeks in the O3 box, most products would still look normal; but, they would crumble into dust when picked up -- just like the mummy in a bad horror movie.

I'm just trying to make the best of what I have (don't let perfection be the enemy of good enough). So far, I have experienced no obvious problems with the masks I use -- but, I'm half expecting my plastic box to crumble any day now.

FWIW, here's a photo of an O3 box that Magna International makes. I found out about it a few weeks after I Macgyvered my box. Magna is applying to the FDA for certification to use their box for sterilizing PPE for reuse. If they get certified, I'll continue to use my box; if not I won't use if for masks. Meanwhile, I should probably try the heat method too.

40%

I got a cardboard box, lined the inside with aluminum foil and put some little wire racks in it. Put shoes, phones, credit cards, etc. on the racks and the UVC hangs above the box. Downstairs spare bedroom, close the door.

I’m not so sure how well the aluminum foil works to reflect the light and get the bottoms of the items on the racks, so I turn them over. I’m not sure how long they need to be hit with (25 watt bulb) but I figure 20 minutes each side should be good.

Except for the shoes - after they get the UVC I squirt the soles with 409 and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes or more (I’ve read some people say 30 seconds is enough and others say 4 minutes.) And then I use soapy water and a brush to finish cleaning the soles.

All the stuff I go through to leave the house and come back really cuts down on the errands!

Oh - there is a new type of UV light that folks are developing that is NOT harmful to humans, pets, plants. That way they can run them while the patient is in the room. I wonder if this new type of UV light (a different frequency) will also be safe for masks?

But just be aware their box used for masks might be using a different frequency of light than what we have with our UVC lamps.