Washing effect of strongly alkaline electrolyzed water and slightly acidic electrolyzed water on removing organic materials and offensive smelling substances as well as inactivating feline calicivirus smeared on face mask

Abstract

Basic studies were carried out in order to establish a practical cleaning system for repetitive reuse of face masks by using strongly alkaline electrolyzed water (alkaline EW) and slightly acidic electrolyzed water (acidic EW). Showering with alkaline EW resulted in a markedly effective reduction of organic materials and their smells consisting of olive oil mixed with one of dry yeast, curry powder and blue cheese which were smeared on the surface of a rubber. Feline calicivirus as an alternative to norovirus, was totally inactivated by a consecutive showering with alkaline EW followed by acidic EW.