DIY UV disinfection box for N95 masks and other equipment, fight coronavirus video!

In this video I'll show you how to make a DIY ultraviolet disinfection and sterilization box using common materials found around the house. This can be used to disinfect used N95 masks and other items that may be contaminated with coronavirus (COVID-19), or other pathogens. The total cost of the materials for this project is less than $120. You can make a box for yourself, or you can give one to your local hospital, clinic, fire, or police department to help them out.
3D printing files (download FREE to 3D print yourself. If you want to order printed for you, you can do that as well at the link):
2 mask holder: ow.ly/tXSX50z9Afu
1 mask holder: ow.ly/n86350z8ktx
2 mask holder, set of 6: ow.ly/Ress50zm8yY
1 mask holder, set of 6: ow.ly/QN5J50zm8A7
Materials for this build (As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases, thanks for your support!)
UVC LAMPS!
1) 14" UV germicidal lamp (may be sold out): amzn.to/34fLTgA
2) Alternative 60W LED UV lamp w standard E26/E27 socket: amzn.to/2wi1foz
*E26/E27 light socket (needed for the 60W lamp above): amzn.to/3aKuYoY
3) Some people report success with fishtank UVC lamps (I haven't personally tried them). They are low power and you have to adjust your light-on time to compensate for the lower power. amzn.to/3eIPuc3
4) Here is another fishtank UVC lamp, also lower power but the correct UVC wavelength amzn.to/3bwZuDi
Brinks digital timer amzn.to/2UOKafv
Heavy Duty aluminum foil: amzn.to/2JGRcwb
Gorilla glue: amzn.to/3bRF0Vx
Machine screws and nuts (use #6): amzn.to/3dZNgoo
Washer set: amzn.to/3bSyE8d
Adhesive velcro-type tape: amzn.to/3c0VzhP
Hook and loop cable ties: amzn.to/2yBbq8i
Large cardboard boxes: amzn.to/3e6uxr2
Packing tape: amzn.to/2JNuFOo
White spray paint: amzn.to/34chj7C
Silver spray paint: amzn.to/2xUyMWo
Nothing in this video should be interpreted as medical advice. This isn't an FDA-approved method of sterilizing or disinfecting medical equipment. Use appropriate care when working with UV light.

[@Embodi3D]

I'd like to make a couple of points to address some of the comments: 1) The light source in this video, and that discussed in the research paper mentioned, are 254 nm UVC, not 454 nm. This was misspoken in the video. 2) N95 masks are intended for single use. It is only because of the critical shortage of available masks that health providers are FORCED to reuse them. Sometimes a single mask is issued for an entire week. This method may not be perfect but it is better than the alternative, which in many places is nothing. 3) Some comments say that UV does not penetrate the mask to get particles trapped inside. This may be true but even surface sanitation is helpful, as the mask surface must be touched to put on or take off the mask. Research suggests that UV works for disinfection of masks. The US CDC lists UV germicidal irradiation as one of three methods to decontaminate N95 masks during this crisis: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/ppe-strategy/decontamination-reuse-respirators.html www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29678452 4) Some comments say that UV breaks down the mask. This is true, but only with significantly higher doses than in this video. When exposed to a UV dose that is 150 to 1200 times larger than the 5 minute dose from this video, filtration efficiency decreased by 1.25% in this study. At the levels shown in the video, the effect should be negligible. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4699414/ 5) Some comments say the calculations of surface UV dose are imperfect. I know this and addressed it in the video. This why I chose to use a UV dose 8 times that calculated minimum -- to account for any inefficiencies with geometry, bulb irradiance, and a variety of other variables. Thanks and be safe!

[@JonathanVaucher]

Don't expose your skin or retina to 254nm. Major risk factor for malignant melanoma !

[@fc-pl9kr]

Based on #3 and #4 why not use Ozone generator to disinfect? Just use properly, that's what I am doing.

[@JonathanVaucher]

@@fc-pl9kr that would desinfect very well. But ozone is such an strong oxidant, it will eat though the elastic bands (ozonolysis)

[@daltonwade9441]

Embodi3D a better, recommended method to disinfect masks is 158 degrees Fahrenheit in an oven for 30 minutes , making sure the masks do not touch any metal components.

[@DanielTerestenyi]

@@fc-pl9kr Unfortunately, the amount of equivalent Ozone generation methods would be long and would require a number of other ventilation methods. UVC is the best alternative, with papers (as he noted) supporting the 254nm log3 99.9% kill rates. These do not exist for Ozone.

[@lovepeace6522]

Dr. Mike, I would like to thank you for the video you have made and for the time you have invested in doing your research and for your efforts in fighting the corona virus, saving people lives and the lives of follow healthcare personal by creatively trying to find a solution for masks scarcity. I have no technical knowledge to comment on your project but I only want to thank you for your services to humanity. I pray for you and everyone out there to be blessed beyond known measures. - Mohammad from Kuwait

[@esecallum]

use a $20 ozone gas generator which gets into all the nooks and crannies...

[@kafailo6342]

As a doctor fighting with the Covid 2 for us, I spread my deeply respectful for all of you, and you guy have to face the shortage of ppe, and you still make your own method to do it, respect, respect, respect !

[@gauravkotian3282]

:)

[@barbie3139]

Yay Evergreen! Thank you!!

[@dirty364]

Awesome video!! Thank you Doctor!! Not only are you a Hero working on the frontlines helping people during this pandemic ...while risking your own health and life..you also are thinking outside the box (no pun intended) ..coming up with a great solution to the shortage of face masks. I only have a few N95 work masks that I had from doing home renovations and I was wanting a way to sanitize them. I am not in the healthcare industry but I do work in a essential service and I have been trying my best to keep myself /family and others from getting sick. You are an inspiration to me! I am going to try and make this for healthcare workers in my area! Peace and love from Canada! Stay safe brother.

[@SubsurfaceMedia]

Be careful of the LED based bulbs for $60 out there. They are finding them to be fake and not using LEDs in the 254nm spectrum, which means they kill nothing. Stick with legacy low pressure mercury UV-C bulbs.

[@adaptivemind]

exactly, spent $70 for a claimed to be uvc at 254nm, turns out to be 390 uva light. luckily seller refunded fully, kept the the light but no use of it.

[@mwatercress]

@@adaptivemind How do you test for uvc vs uva or b?

[@aliibrahim8257]

mwatercress uvc burns the skin,irritates the eyes and has a sharp ozone scent after exposure to surface

[@tomthumb4454]

@@mwatercress kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZCppKNtm9-Bj6s explains how you can measure yourself with simple lenses and ruler. very interesting vid. also i think O3 chamber would do better to sanitize fabric materials and small items. UVC light better for large surface items and rooms.

[@dougbank107]

tom thumb i don’t think that method will work for a wavelength of light that your eyes cannot see and yet can damage them by looking at it...

[@barbarahudson2573]

Good idea! Watching this made me think you could use old appliances like toaster ovens and modify for this purpose doing what you've done with the box.

[@raymondhenry5512]

Great Video. I watched it this morning and built one this lunch time. I had previously bought a UV tube but found it too dangerous even with glasses, without the enclosure you outlined. I've now used to sterilize mail, and food we bought ahead of storing it. I think I will put an interlock switch on the door for safety. Thank you.

[@KG370]

I done a similar type of box, but I used a t5 style bulb in a plastic outdoor bin that I’ve lined with Mylar

[@judas3697]

Do you have photos? Tnks! [e-mail]

[@stephenwheeler8628]

Thanks, Dr. Mike, for the great insights! In the interest of speed, I ordered one of the aquarium UV lamps, since it was in stock. I also am going to try an insulated, reflective grocery carrier.

[@alnicospeaker]

Thank you. I just ordered a UVC bulb from ebay (china). Attention buyers, there are many fake ultraviolet LED lights out there that glow like black light and do not disinfect - UVC LEDs do exist but are rare and not cheap. Really enjoyed the video, you have a lot of skills in different fields :)

[@adamlux8245]

I and probably most other reasonable people thank you for information. The research, effort, $100+, recording, responding, the time as well as increasing personal time shows you mean well. If you told us you had 10 or 30 or 100 hours from prep to current there’s unfortunately still a few that can’t find some positives out of your message. Good job and I appreciate the video.

[@whitneydesignlabs8738]

Indoor grow boxes are pretty much ready to go for this purpose. Reflective inside, and light stays IN.

[@johnnyllooddte3415]

10 minutes i would suggest

[@airborneh]

Thank you so much for sharing this valuable knowledge, I already have all the items to build one like yours tomorrow, if all goes well, I will make one or two to donate to my local hospital in Chiquimula, Guatemala. For more people like you !!!!! Thanks again.

[@Subgunman]

Back in high school during the early 70's we were required to wear protective goggles in both wood and metal shops. After use the goggles were hung in a special cabinet which was equipped with a UVC lamp. The doors were equipped with interlock switches to prevent exposure to the light. The cabinet was also equipped with a 10 minute timer. Shop time over everyone returned goggles to cabinet where the instructor would set the timer for the full 10 minutes. This was in the USA. Fat forward to today and living in the EU I see that butcher shops and barber shops / Beuaty salons are equipped with sterilization cabinets for their knives and combs and shears. According to instructions one is to wash and dry the tools of the trade and then place them in the cabinets and hit the start switch. They are equipped with automatic timers that are preset by the factory to insure proper sterilization.

[@kazart4772]

YES! I have one of those cabinets! I bought it 20 years ago, as I do light research and therapy and collect old equipment. In January, I unloaded a storage and rediscovered the light cabinet and decided to sell it, but couldn't find anyone to buy it. I asked my dentist, as they have patients wear sunglasses while they work on our teeth (1st time I've experienced that!), but they wipe down the glasses after each patient and didn't see any benefit (???) to using the light box. I wonder how they feel about my light box today? They have been closed for the past month). LOL..... In reality, since I live in Phx, Az, I simply put everything in the sun for a couple of hours -- my BIG light box! Ha ha....

[@patricklogan9377]

I recently made this. Very easy to assemble and affordable. Mine is from a standard 18x18x14 shipping box and has a dish rack to hold the item(s). Not as fancy nor hold as much but works for 2 or 3 items. I am eager to see research as to effectiveness of UV-C light as well. Thanks for the instructions and information.

[@Embodi3D]

Thanks Patrick!

[@AnyHouseCleaning]

Thank you for sharing your project. Thank you for all the time and creativity you invest in this. My greatings from Florida

[@MrKenski12]

Wow, this is indeed very helpful Doc...Great job and Stay safe to you, your family and fellow frontliners!

[@johanedduque]

Thank you very much for the video and your services to humanity, God Bless you and all the Medical Personal around the world.

[@joemonte5151]

Thanks, Doc. I am working on my own but I tweaked your design. I used foam core board planks coated with foil tape and put into a box.. I am using an ozone generating (183 nm) bulb and I will be keeping my box outside. I did some research about O3 and found that it has been used as a disinfectant for 100 years. I figured ozone and far UV light would be a double whammy and would suffuse every surface put inside the chamber.

[@TheAnantaSesa]

O3 breaks back down into O2 in about 30 minutes making it safe to open the box by then.

[@Omar-mm3us]

Thanks so much Doc!! Dentist here, at least you guys can get N95's. We're jerry-rigging masks with P2.5 filters to try and take care of our emergency patients. This was great help!!!!

[@ellies_goodwill]

Hello! I am a dentist too ❤

[@tasmiahhaque2605]

me too ...

[@mashehab]

Thanks, I’ve just made my UVC sterilization box inspired by your video! Done some amendments where I used some metal shirts hangers as stands and top danglers as well as a middle net shelf! Thank you so much for the great video

[@adschan1]

Can you please share of picture of this apparatus you made with shirt hangers and top danglers? I would like to make one for my UV box as well. Thanks!

[@mashehab]

adschan1 Sure, here is my email [e-mail] contact me and I’ll send you some pictures of the box I made!

[@tommato8086]

Thank you for this project. I had this idea in my mind for long but just struggling the power of the uv lamp and the distance from the light source. Your calculation is perfectly make sense and hope I have a lab to test the result from 38 sec to 5 mins exposure time. Thank you!

[@micheljoniaux3745]

Very useful video. Thanks . This project uses UVC to effectively sterilise masks and other potential contaminated materials. I use a 16 watt Philips TUV lamp for the same purposes.

[@jamiemacdonald7870]

Thank you for putting in the work to do this video. I wish you good health in these crazy times!

[@shmehfleh3115]

I built a similar sterilizer out of a Rubbermaid patio storage box with a lid. I built the timer into the unit, so it's nice & self-contained. And I included an interlock switch that disables the lamp if the lid is open, so there's no chance of accidental exposure.

[@Tiagomottadmello]

That's amazingly clever !!!!! 👍👍. Congratulations for the initiative !! Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@SubsurfaceMedia]

Something to adjust for is actual power of a lamp at the 254nm wave length. If typical low pressure mercury UV C, its 30-40% of total rated bulb power.

[@rolandoruiz3795]

Good

[@am2fearful2sleep]

Yeah, we did something similar at our household. We purchased a wire shelving 7 feet high with multiple wire shelves, we wrapped it in mylar. We have our UVC lightbulb on a remote control timer.

[@johnstewart8849]

Nice use of your 3-D. I will line my box with foil too. Well done, Doc.

[@giselagonzalez4246]

Thanks for your time and effort to help others not only in the front line of care but also in prevention. It is clear that is not FDA approved, but if the box works and it is used with responsibility will be great in these time of crisis. Thanks and be safe.

[@granitejeepc3651]

I have used this for about a month now. Was noted that similar math i found to be for Sars. It was noted that aftet 10 times using this method the mask integrity and bands decayed to beyond use.

[@elontusk5553]

These are disposable masks. Many are finding that the reuse of these masks does more damage then the different disinfecting processes.

[@gsdmaxima9643]

Yes -- The UV breaks down the rubber in the elastic straps, and they loose elasticity. A typical N95 mask's strap will even just break after repeated UVc irradiation. This also raises an interesting point, that I have yet to see mentioned. STOCKPILED mask (for example N95) mask have a limited Shelf life, for many reasons, but one is that the elastic strap deteriorates over time. (depending on how they are stored). Even when stored in a light sealed container, at typical room temperature, I have seen N95 mask that are 7-10 year old, have virtually no elasticity in their straps, which break as soon as they are stretched.

[@MrSolar.]

Well that is outstanding to know. That means our supply of masks is times 10 times more than we thought we had!

[@baango]

@@gsdmaxima9643 If so, could the elastic strap be replaced and make the mask useable?

[@davidmiller5832]

what wattage, distance and duration did you use. Research shows effectiveness at 8 feet for 15 minutes using a 40 watt Philips lamp. The testing was a few years ago and used the MARS and SARS virus.

[@ehsan999]

Great video, I have worked with UV lamps for many years and these are my recommendation for best result with the UV light in a box: 1- TEFLON sheets instead of the Aluminium foil. 2- Air circulation fan in the withing the box the reduce the lamp surface temperature. 3- Ozone also known to kill the virus.

[@michelleyin7651]

Hi Jaffa, thanks for sharing this. I would like to confirm is TEFLON sheet same as reusable baking sheet? s.lazada.com.my/s.dRRQi

[@StevenBur]

Thanks Doc. I'm using my wifes CPAP UV cleaner for our masks now. You rock!

[@kittyt5452]

Thanks for the video! There's also the fact that the virus dies after a period of time. So combining uvc and systemic rotation of a number of masks should still be quite useful.

[@kazart4772]

Exactly! There's more FEAR than sensibility in the world! The virus CANNOT live in the air without being enclosed in a water droplet, and it's only viable for hours on most material, and a few days on hard surfaces. Having 5-7 masks and wearing one/day, by the 6th or 8th day to rotate masks, the 1st mask will be virus-free. So, nothing extra is needed to disinfect it. Combining with UV sterilization is more than enough.

[@rossbecool]

Thank you for this video; It was very informative. I plan to use it for my CPAP therapy equipment too.

[@heresteven]

What a difference 2 years has made. I use UVC in my house for disinfecting. The lamps are so cheap now.

[@lenkaranda]

thank you for this video to you !!!!! One of the best recent videos on youtube during the coronavirus pandemic !!!! ALL THE BEST AND STAY SAFE :)

[@jerradlineberry5522]

Indoor "grow tents" can be bought online. Cheaper than you think and better built than any cardboard box. Plus most have built in ducts for airflow. 4 inch duct fans move good amounts of air and cheap dryer vent hose can remove any "ozone" outside with a little planning.

[@evargas6826]

True HERO!!! Thank you so much for uploading this video.

[@jaleo_117]

Thank you Doctor for all the information you provided. I tip my that off to you with much respect. Great video straight to the point. Keep up the good work and may God bless, guide and protect you always. Hoorah.

[@jackbloznowski5429]

Good job on the UVC box. I made a similar box and used very thin steel wire as a rack.

[@tealtoad19]

I used two guitar strings. The masks sit about 15cm from the uvc light leaving space of about 10cm below. It's a plastic file box from Walmart, lined with foil.

[@msmiguelangelsosa]

GRACIAS Y SALUDOS DESDE ZACATECAS MÉXICO.

[@tarafrench7674]

Make sure you let your lamp get to optimal operating temp before you start the clock 7 min or so .

[@robdresser149]

Thanks, Dr. Mike. You've made a difference.

[@tonybaumgartner6014]

Good Job! I would suggest putting in a second UVC bulb as the Watts of the bulb are not the watts of UVC irradiation the bulb emits. Look up the bulb and the amount of useful UVC coming from it will be posted by the manufacturer. Stay safe and thanks for being a solution in this grand equation.

[@briantaylor9266]

Thanks for this. Before I saw your video, I made one very similar. My box was ShopVac, not Rigid :-) Also, I used 3M spray adhesive to bond the foil to the inside. Although I don't have a way to measure the UV output of the bulb I'm using, for the strong ozone odor it produces, I'm pretty sure it's putting out plenty.

[@helmuttdvm]

Seems much better than all the little wands that folks are selling on Facebook. Thanks for the idea!

[@mikeycoogs105]

You are awesome! Thank you for taking the time.

[@gypsychronicles7823]

Please be sure to turn light OFF before opening. UVC can damage skin quickly.

[@johns7734]

I have a UVC lamp (also from Amazon) that I've been using as a final, extra step in sterilizing the back of my squad's ambulances. I'll have to build a box to use with the equipment as well. Thanks for posting and stay safe!

[@Embodi3D]

Good for you. Thanks for your great work as a first responder. Stay safe!

[@johnnyllooddte3415]

you dont need a box..just set your ppe in front of the lamp

[@johnnyllooddte3415]

UV is not reflected

[@kazart4772]

@@johnnyllooddte3415 If it's not reflected, where does it go?

[@fjspicer1]

I think the box is more a way of containing it to stop it getting in your eyes, it also needs to be kept away from children and pets

[@mashehab]

Very informative video, Thanks! Alternatively, You can make stands or racks using shirts hangers.

[@Embodi3D]

Great tip! Thank you!

[@mashehab]

Here’s a good idea on how to use hangers kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJTcd2OEeMigeKM

[@rohitwalke2129]

Thanks sir, 🙏 From India, for this technical information!

[@rolandoruiz3795]

Very thans

[@MrGntlmn]

I saw a KZbin video on how they tested it with a banana and electrical tape. Putting it close to the banana turned it brown, but the part covered by electrical tape didn't. Seach it on KZbin. I have a glass tube similar to the one in this video and it did turn the banana brown. I bought a photo box that has foil reflectors on the insides. I dangled the light tube inside. All I need is the racks. Good idea!

[@prudvi01]

Thank you so much Dr. Mike

[@jmac2242]

Excellent video! Thanks! I need this for my office :)

[@MargaritaInclanRobredoXD_IXXI]

Thanks for this video. Kindly regards from Madrid, Spain.

[@pierma.6054]

Ciao Dr.Mike, a very useful project. I made a similar box and I was looking for an explanation about exposure times, and I found it. Thanks. In your calculations you use the electrical wattage of the lamp. Maybe it would be better to use the UVC radiated power, generally about 20-30% of the nominal wattage. In my box I will put, as soon as it arrives, a little ozone machine to combinate the surface sterilization by UVC rays with a deeper sterilization by ozone gas. Ciao

[@johnlysic6727]

Thank you for this very interesting information - innovation and putting great ideas like this into practice are what is needed most right now - yes yes

[@julial3758]

Thx for the math part. I feel really dumb. Helped me calculate my own box.

[@josephsosa2398]

Superb project. Please include the UV Eye Glass protection demo for extra safety. Or can be enhanced to put an auto switch off when opening the UV box. Great work Dr. Thank you.

[@tsayed]

Great job .. But I would use 2 uv lamp elements diagonaly one top one buttom .. But what u ve done is great

[@michelleaznar383]

Very informative. Thank you. Ive been wondering why we need the foil.. That answers my question

[@ellies_goodwill]

But I've read in an article that if you sterilize masks using a UVC lamp or autoclave it can rupture the filters, but we can use dry heat sterilizer if we want to re-use and sterilize our masks

[@jackraves7363]

it is a nice way to think out of the box anyway...🙏🙏🙏

[@macvideoworld]

Interesting and useful project for current times. Just needs to be used as you mentioned. Also as a 3d enthusiast myself, I was curious to know what software you used to design the mask.

[@technicalitems731]

You can make the stands out of wire coat hangers. Wire. Cut up a cardboard rack and coat/wrap with foil or foil duct tape. All kinds of ways. A string with clips. Etc....

[@kathleentrinity7367]

Thank you so much for your excellent device. Do you have any ideas for teachers who need to sterilize the air around them in closed classrooms? Kids go to school sick and there's always a lot of coughing and sneezing in the fall. Older teachers are vulnerable.

[@JoseRomero-wb3be]

Nice video. Some test results using a dosimeter card or reader would be great to see how effective the bulb actually is

[@dianeeamtrakul2777]

Excellent project !!. Thank you very much !.

[@mbarfield00]

That is brilliant. Good for you. Stay safe.

[@tracykim4446]

Thank you for sharing! Please stay safe!!

[@struandias1667]

Could you attach a step file of the 3D printed stands

[@mikesasges377]

If the electrical power is 30 watts then the UVC power at 254nm is about 7 watts. So increase the times by 4x. UV is strictly line-of-sight; viruses within the material will not be inactivated. Pasteurization is effective against Cov-1. 145F for 30 minutes. Ovens are readily available.

[@pavithrasellaperumal7675]

Great job Doc ! Take care 😇😇

[@jethrotull5847]

I made a disinfection box for my wife’s RV. She is a nurse and is mandated to change her clothes when going off duty and only has been issued 1 n95 mask. So the box uses 1 115volt 35watt 180nm bulb that intent fully produces O3 gas to kill below the surface . It runs off a cheep inverter. Yup I’m nuts, but having insulin dependent T2 diabetes and my family’s welfare drive me to this.

[@pranavan_shoots]

Really very good project ...Hats off I did a similar thing Don't have a virologist to confirm

[@TheStpeteboy]

Your so smart Doctor!

[@jethrotull5847]

Thanks for your video !

[@TeddyRakotomalala]

Thank you very much for the share

[@rkadsrc]

God bless you. You really took pain for kindness. INDIA

[@pylee4279]

Thanks for the video! Is there a formula to determine the baking time for an 8W LED UVC bulb?

[@THELIFEDREAMER.1329]

Dr Mike, first of all I wanted to thank you for all the sacrifices that you, the health care providers, are doing every day to try to control this pandemic. No words or actions could recompense you enough for what you guys are doing for us . I just have a question, isn't more effective to dunk or spray the masks in a solution of peroxide hydrogen and then just hang and let it dry? By this way, the peroxide could go trough the fiber of the mask, deeply decontaminating it. Or submerge the masks in a solution of sodium hypochlorite (Clorox) and water for like 30 minutes and then rinsing it nicely? Please share your thoughts about this. One more time, thank you and stay well!

[@DavidTA-qg8gv]

Hello @Embodi3D thanks for the video. I've been looking for procedures to disinfect N95 masks even though these are intended for single use. But the problem with all the information on the web is how to be certain the procedure actually works at least to some degree. Although you mentioned this on your video, I wanted to ask if, to date, you've had the chance to actually measure the degree of contamination or pathogens remaining on the masks after the UV disinfection? Thanks again!

[@gregchamberlain7554]

I have 2 UV-c Wands and one light that can disinfect a 600 sq ft room in 60 mins. I use the wands on things like my phone, n95 insert filter and cloth mask with 20 second passes to both sides.

[@badgerresistance4322]

Or you can buy a UV sterilizer for 100 -180 dollars on Amazon depending if you want the towel warm combo. Barbers and some salons use them to sterilize their equipment but they have a 30 to 40 minute protocol for total sterilization.

[@ptaeiy]

Firstly THANK YOU and your family for your sacrifice. Would it be a good idea to put a second lamp on the bottom of the sterilizer unit? Actually high end (super expensive) UV-C units use timer ON/OFF so that you are not in the room when unit is turned on/of. First concern is the danger to eye , and second concern is to dissipate any ozone build up before you enter the room(ventilation strongly recommended). That's why the use of timer is the way to go.It goes without saying that you shouldn't be in the room when this unit is on and only enter the room when you think the ozone has dissipated.

[@marylou5259]

Excellent video! Thank you! Can I use this method for sterilizing my groceries that are being delivered?

[@johnnyllooddte3415]

yes but you dont need a box..UV is not reflected

[@kazart4772]

@@johnnyllooddte3415 Explain what the heck you mean by UV is not reflected? You mean the sun blindness from looking at snow or water REFLECTING THE UV LIGHT is BS?

[@michelled1161]

without a box you would need eye protection and skin protection from burns of both. plus turn grocery box's like cereal to get all side unless cereal box is suspended.

[@ramblersayo820]

Good job. I will make one. You look like my son when he grows up... 👍

[@henryalban3886]

Good for you what do you think of a mask with a built in uvc lamp that air breathing in and out. Has to pass through it

[@johnnyllooddte3415]

well done.. WASH EVERYTHING BEFORE AND AFTER UV use

[@kazart4772]

Please explain yourself.

[@Liz-ww3cm]

I've read that there is NO residue from UV or ozone exposure.

[@thestylesworld]

Thanks for the info. How the UVC light will disinfect the inner part of the mask when no light is reaching there?

[@feiabm2005]

thank you sir, that how i build it too. good one. nice to see similar people.

[@feiabm2005]

but i use the regular 254nm mercury lamp quartz tube from 4 side, and reflective alumunium foil too. over kill?

[@prabhanilantk]

Can I get the prototype or drawing in AutoCAD.

[@mehdia5053]

Hello Dr. Mike, Does this light use 24v power? I didn’t remember seeing any part in your demonstration explaining this part. My thought was I just plug it into a 110 outlet, right or not. Thanks

[@sbdr.1241]

Ever tried rotisserie method it'll cover completely & possibly more masks just might be more time sterilizing??

[@Eyes-of-Horus]

How about a microwave?

[@ShoryoTombo]

We clean ours with Virex Plus, rinse and let it air dry. After it air dry, it goes into our UV box. I heard Hydrogen Peroxide and hot water soak for the mask is good too.

[@juliosanta1]

Hi Dr. Mike , thanks for share this great idea, Would like to know how to calculate the exposure time for a similar size box, based on the output wattage? I don’t find the first light and I order the second option, but I want to be sure about time. If someone else can help me, I will appreciate that!!! Thanks

[@isettech]

I have just been using he middle rack on my convection oven preheated to 170F and bake for 30 minutes along with my mail, change, etc.

[@robertalonzo5725]

isettech are you laying them on the rack or suspending them?

[@daltonwade9441]

You must suspend them to avoid damage to the filter medium, hopefully you are doing that. This is a far superior method to UV.

[@robertalonzo5725]

It’s going to be my weekend project. Suspended is how the Stanford study recommended it be done. I was curious to hear from someone who had actual experience. Thanks.

[@isettech]

@@robertalonzo5725 I put them on the rack face up after a quick dunk in water as heat is most effective when in a high humidity range. The leaves the outer and middle filter layers intact, and the inner layer is not a fine filter, but a protection from facial hair, nose, etc touching the inside, so yes that is on the rack. It goes in flat face up, and damp, gets a good bake while drying.

[@robertalonzo5725]

I suspended them from wooden spoons @170 for 30 min. They look to be in good shape.

[@dirtblizzard7180]

Very good video. Good Job. I have read somewhere, can't find source now, that UV light can degrade the material in N95 masks over time lessoning the effectiveness. The statement was part of a how to reuse masks article and was negative on UV light for a sterilization process. Any validity to this concern? Thank you.

[@z0b622]

Some research shows the the UV wavelength changes when reflected off a mirror like surface. And since you need the UV within a specific NM range, how do you know that the under surfaces are getting the correct wavelength to support DNA breakdown?

[@Professional_Youtube_Commenter]

I don't have a 3d printer, the next best thing to do woulbd be to have glass shelves to put the mask onto which are seethrough, I don't know if acrylic lets uvc light through though.