3M™ Reusable Elastomeric Respirators

Per 3M Product User Instructions for the 6000 Series and 6500 Series half facepiece respirators, cleaning is recommended after each use¹. Disinfection frequency will be based on your facility infection control policy but should also reference guidance from OSHA that states “…respirators must be cleaned as often as necessary to prevent them from becoming unsanitary. In addition, respirators worn by more than one user must be cleaned and disinfected before being worn by a different user…” ².

Cleaning refers to the removal of visible soil from objects and surfaces, and normally is accomplished manually or mechanically using water with detergents or enzymatic products. Disinfection is defined as a process that eliminates many or all pathogenic microorganisms. In general, cleaning and disinfecting consists of taking the respirator apart, washing it, disinfecting it, thoroughly rinsing it, and putting it back together when it is dry.

The Bessesen, et. al (2015) article discusses standard operating procedures (SOP) for cleaning and disinfection of reusable elastomeric respirators⁴. OSHA also outlines suggested cleaning SOP which discusses submersion of the facepiece. Additionally, the technical bulletin noted below further discusses cleaning and disinfection options following exposure to coronaviruses⁵,⁶.
 

1. 3M™ 6000 Series User Instructions (PDF, 1.07 MB)
2. OSHA Maintenance and Care
3. Lawrence (2017)
4. Bessesen (2015)
5. OSHA Cleaning Procedures
6. 3M™ Technical Bulletin Cleaning and Disinfecting 3M Reusable Elastomeric Half and Full Facepiece Respirators following Potential Exposure to Coronaviruses (PDF, 1.43 MB)

No, a user seal check and fit test are different procedures.

A user seal check is performed by the respirator wearer to determine if the respirator has properly sealed to the face each time it is put on. Employees required to wear tight-fitting respiratory protection in the workplace must perform a user seal check each time they put on their respirator as required by US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations*. Air will take the path of least resistance, so if the seal is improperly maintained, there may be leak paths that allow the air to flow around the facepiece seal rather than through the filter(s) and therefore compromise the respiratory protection afforded to the user. A user seal check is only applicable when a respirator has already been successfully fit tested on the individual.

Here is an example of a qualitative fit testing method, using 3M fit testing kits: (PDF, 650 KB)

*Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (2014). Regulations (Standards-29 CFR)-Table of Contents.  US Department of Labor.

Reusable (elastomeric) respirators are not surgical masks as they are not cleared by FDA for fluid resistance or as medical devices to be used in surgical applications, per FDA regulations. The CDC states “Elastomeric respirators with exhalation valves should not be used in surgical settings due to concerns that unfiltered air coming out of the exhalation valve, potentially contaminated with microbes, may contaminate the surgical field.” * Some N95 respirators may also feature an exhalation valve which is intended as a comfort feature to help release the wearer’s warm exhaled breath into the environment. It is important that this valve is recognized and then determined by the facility where these respirators are appropriate for use.

*https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/elastomeric-respirators-strategy/index.html