Table 1 Reprocessing and reuse of N95 masks: exclusion criteria, organized by the parties concerned

For healthcare workers

Model other than N95 or FFP2

Presence of stain(s) or soil of any type

Any visible damage to the mask

Any alteration of how the mask attaches/ is held in place

Any deformation or physical alteration of the mask

Maximum number of sterilization cycles reached (according to inscription on the mask)

For the personnel in charge of preparing the masks for disinfection/reprocessing

All of the preceding criteria

Presence of mold/mildew (either visible or by odor)

Inadequate labeling: absence or illegibility of labeling on the mask, present on the wrong part of the mask/written with the wrong type of marker

Presence of hair on the mask

For the personnel in charge of organizing and sorting the masks after disinfection OR for the healthcare workers receiving the masks after disinfection

All of the preceding criteria

Any uncertainty of who the mask belongs to

Any uncertainty concerning the number of disinfection cycles