A drying device is provided. The device includes a frame having a base portion with a plurality of supporting castor wheels. A front support and a rear support extend upwardly from opposing ends of the base portion. A horizontal bar is affixed between the upper ends of the front and rear supports. The horizontal bar may include various configurations of hooks and extending rods for hanging sports equipment and garments for storage and drying. The height of horizontal bar can be adjusted by a push button adjuster. A flexible transparent cover is removably securable around the frame. A forced air heater is disposed on the base portion of the frame. The forced air heater includes a temperature control, a timer control, and a tip-over switch. The device further includes an ozone generator with a timer control for deodorizing the contents of the bag during the drying process.

In various embodiments, methods of treating a space to reduce a concentration of volatile organic compounds present in the space using chlorine dioxide are provided. A method can include application of aqueous and gaseous chlorine dioxide solutions within the space or to materials located within the space. Treatment of materials that emit volatile organic compounds with chlorine dioxide can reduce the emission rate or shorten the volatile organic compound emission cycle of the material. Soft surface substrates such as carpeting materials can be treated with chlorine dioxide to reduce volatile organic compound emission and/or to reduce the number of microorganisms present in the material.

The invention relates to a method for disinfecting and/or sterilizing objects, said method comprising the method steps of: placing an object in a process chamber that can be evacuated; evacuating the process chamber; introducing a treatment medium; carrying out the disinfection and/or sterilization process; and increasing the pressure in the process chamber. The invention also relates to: a software program for carrying out the method for disinfecting and/or sterilizing objects; and a device for disinfecting and/or sterilizing objects. The invention also relates to: a disinfected object comprising residues of the treatment medium and/or reaction products of the treatment medium and fewer than 2000 germs per m.sup.2 on the surface of the disinfected object; and a sterilized object comprising residues of the treatment medium and/or reaction products of the treatment medium and a germ-free surface.

A meltblown material formed from bicomponent fibers that can withstand the effects of a gamma irradiation sterilization process without negatively impacting bacterial filtration, particulate filtration, and/or breathability of personal protective equipment products formed from the meltblown material (e.g., facemasks, surgical gowns, surgical caps, etc.) is provided. The bicomponent fibers include a polyolefin-based sheath and a polyester-based core. Further, both the sheath and core include specific antioxidants and charge enhancer packages that allow for the effective electret treatment of the resulting meltblown material prior to sterilization, where the filtration efficiency and pressure differential of the material are still adequate post-sterilization.

A meltblown material formed from bicomponent fibers that can withstand the effects of a gamma irradiation sterilization process without negatively impacting bacterial filtration, particulate filtration, and/or breathability of personal protective equipment products formed from the meltblown material (e.g., facemasks, surgical gowns, surgical caps, etc.) is provided. The bicomponent fibers include a polyester-based sheath and a polyolefin-based core. Further, both the sheath and core include specific antioxidants and charge enhancer packages that allow for the effective electret treatment of the resulting meltblown material prior to sterilization, where the filtration efficiency and pressure differential of the material are still adequate post-sterilization.