Starting May 1, used N95 respirators can be delivered to Battelle Labs’ decontamination device located at the TCF Center in Detroit. Michigan received its device April 23 from among the 60 decontamination devices the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) procured from Battelle Labs, an Ohio-based company. The device can decontaminate N95 respirators for reuse up to 20 times and the service is available, free of charge, for health systems, first responders and nursing homes.
The device includes four decontamination units and is approved to process N95 respirators using concentrated, vapor phase hydrogen peroxide.
Battelle’s decontamination process has been granted an emergency use authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and has shown up to 99.99999 percent effective sterilization of N95s. Through its contract with the state, Battelle is providing staff to operate the device.
“We are excited to use this technology as part of our strategy to fight COVID-19,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health. “This will increase the personal protective equipment available to our frontline workers as they care for Michiganders with COVID-19.”.
Facilities will be able to ship N95 respirators to TCF for decontamination. Once the masks are sterilized, the respirators will be shipped back. More information is available on Battelle’s website in its Battelle CCDS ™ FAQS.
