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Article: IoM cautions against reusing face masks.(NATION IN BRIEF)(Institute of Medicine)(Brief article)
- Article from:
- The Nation's Health
- Article date:
- August 1, 2006
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2006 The Nation's Health. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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There is no simple, reliable way to decontaminate disposable medical masks once they've been used, according to the Institute of Medicine, which recommends one-time-only use of the masks in the event of a flu pandemic.
"Respiratory protection through the use of face coverings is only one of many strategies that will be needed to slow or halt a pandemic outbreak of influenza, and people should not engage in activities that would increase their risk of exposure to flu just because they have a mask or respirator," said John C. Bailar, MD, PhD, professor emeritus at ...