Whether microwaving face masks sanitizes them.
The claim that microwaving will kill the deadly virus comes from an article (archived here) where it was published by SmartAir.com on March 30, 2020, under the title "Does Microwaving Masks Disinfect Viruses?" The story read, in part:, The researchers in Germany tested the effects of microwaving on Hepatitis C and HIV viruses, not coronaviruses. Although there isn\t research on microwaving Covid-19, scientists have tested this with human parainfluenza, an RNA virus similar to the coronavirus that infects humans.", Users on social media saw posts like this:, , By contrast, another user posted a shot of a mask after trying the "microwave trick":, , The microwave rumor has been around for over a week and was debunked by The Washington Post on March 30., The Post article quotes Benjamin Neuman, chair of Biological Sciences at Texas A&M University, who said:, Even if microwaving the virus kills it, which scientists haven\t verified, there\s still risk in microwaving anything other than food.", The Post story further warns:, Other medical experts warn against placing the N95 mask into a microwave oven because the mask contains a metal strip across the top that the wearer is supposed to use to form a seal around the top of the nose. There also is a plastic box that holds the filter that will melt. In addition, the materials in other kinds of masks could be damaged by the heat of the microwave, rendering them ineffective., What has been shown to work better is hydrogen peroxide., Researchers at UCLA report that an N95 mask sterilized with hydrogen peroxide blocked infectious particles as effectively as a new mask., "Also, Duke University researchers confirmed a way to use vaporized hydrogen peroxide to decontaminate masks so they are safe to reuse. Duke routinely uses hydrogen peroxide gas to sterilize equipment and even entire rooms. The process, tested and published by others in 2016, kills germs on the masks after theyre worn.", "Matthew Stiegel, director of Dukes Occupational and Environmental Safety Office, said:", We had never considered needing it for something like face masks. But we\ve now proven that it works and will begin using the technology immediately in all three Duke Health Hospitals.", Lead Stories is working with the CoronaVirusFacts/DatosCoronaVirus Alliance, a coalition of more than 100 fact-checkers who are fighting misinformation related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more about the alliance here., Gita Smith\xa0covered news for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the Montgomery Advertiser, and she wrote/edited medical newsletters for American Health Consultants at the dawn of the AIDS epidemic when clear, factual information was as needed., For a time, she taught in Auburn University’s journalism department and ran the History-Geography lab at Alabama State University, where she taught students to write research papers\xa0.\xa0She believes the following to be true: The power of the free press may appear to be a weak reed to lean on, but it separates democracies from juntas., Lead Stories is a fact checking website that is always looking for the latest false, deceptive or\n      inaccurate stories (or media) making the rounds on the internet.\n      \n      Spotted something? Let us know!., Lead Stories is a fact checking website that is always looking for the latest false, deceptive or\n        inaccurate stories (or media) making the rounds on the internet.\n        \n        Spotted something? Let us know!.
Fact Check: Microwaving Masks In Plastic Bags Is NOT Safe Way To Sterilize Them | Lead Stories