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Some face masks can be used even if the manufacturer’s expiration date has passed, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday.
The FDA on Tuesday published an extensive new guide on face masks, surgical masks and respirators on its website, with advice on when to use each type.
Some are fine to use even if they are old, the FDA said. “Face masks and surgical masks are designed to serve as protective barriers and can still offer some protection even if worn beyond the manufacturer’s designated expiration date or shelf life,” the agency advised.
Hospitals, clinics, and other health care facilities have reported shortages and problems managing personal protective equipment, including face masks. But certain types should not be reused, the FDA said.
“The CDC does not recommend the reuse of disposable surgical masks that are designed for one use. The FDA recognizes that there may be concerns about the availability of surgical masks during the COVID-19 public health emergency, but there are strategies to preserve surgical masks, “he said.
Respirators, such as N-95 masks, must be worn once and should not be washed, but some can be decontaminated and reused. “The FDA has issued Emergency Use Authorizations (US) for devices that decontaminate certain respirators,” he said.
Mask protection: While the FDA frequently referred to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, its new website does not reference the latest CDC guidance suggesting that masks protect both users and those around them.
“Masks can help prevent people with COVID-19 from transmitting the virus to others,” the FDA said. “The CDC recommends that people wear face masks in public places, especially when other measures of social distancing are difficult to maintain. Wearing a mask can limit exposure to respiratory droplets and large particles and can help prevent people with COVID-19 from spreading the virus. “
