Northern Michigan University’s Department of Chemistry has joined the COVID-19 response by loaning two drying ovens to UP Health System-Marquette for the purpose of sterilizing medical-grade N95 masks for reuse.
“Precisely controlled temperatures have been demonstrated to effectively decontaminate these masks without significant loss of filtration efficiency, but it requires an oven with distinct technical specifications,” said professor Brandon Canfield. “I happened to have one such oven in my research lab, as did [professor] Tom Getman. We both wanted to loan them to the hospital, and UPHS was absolutely interested.”
Jen Laurin, sterile processing manager at UPHS-Marquette, sent an email expressing her thanks for this donation and other NMU efforts related to COVID-19.
“I think this cohesive response is truly awesome,” Laurin wrote. “Now is the time for us to commit to each other, not just in words about being UP Strong, but to also show it, and we are! With the support of NMU and other surrounding facilities, we are doing just that. I am proud to be a part of this community Remember, we are all in this together and as a team we will get through this. Truly grateful for NMU’s contributions to UP Health System!”
Rather than bring contaminated items to campus to be processed, Canfield said it made more sense to transport the bench-top units to the hospital. The two drying ovens were picked up from an NMU loading dock on Wednesday.
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