A mask that can destroy Sars-cov-2?
The Indian Institute of Science (IISC), Bengaluru, has developed an antiviral and antibacterial coating technology for three-layered masks that can potentially destroy or inactivate Sars-cov-2 virus, which causes Covid-19. This technology may be used for personal protective equipment (PPE), surgical gown, hospital apparel and gloves.
Acting on a conversation with doctors at the Vellore-based Christian Medical College about the shortage of PPE, the team from IISC have developed a technology that renders face masks more or as efficient, and cheaper, than N95 masks. Compared to N95 masks, which cost ₹400-₹600 a piece, the cost of the fabric for this mask and coating material used in the technology cost ₹22 (excluding incidental expenses).
Kaushik Chatterjee, associate professor, department of materials engineering, IISC, said, “N95 and most other masks are based on a physical barrier approach that involves filters that prevent bacteria and viruses from entering the nasal cavity. Live viruses, however, can get transferred to
health workers while handling, removing or disposing PPE.”
With the coating technology, the outer layer of the mask comprises a nanofibrous polymer membrane that is hydrophobic, or resistant to the entry of any liquid containing virus particles. The middle layer is also coated with the nanofibrous membrane, and loaded with antiviral and antibacterial agents which inactivate virus or bacteria that may have passed through the first layer. The third and innermost layer is cotton fabric. The nanofibrous membranes are made of biodegradable polymer and the antiviral and antibacterial agents used are USFDA approved.
“Once the virus particles are on the middle layer, the antiviral agents partially kill it in 30 minutes and completely within two hours,” said Suryasarathi Bose, associate professor, department of materials engineering, IISC.
The industrially-scalable coating technology has undergone testing at the IISC laboratory with success. Currently, a Bengalurubased company has been identified to license the technology. IISC will maintain non-exclusivity of their product owing to the magnitude of the epidemic’s outbreak.
Covid patients and suspects at Bhayandar Pada and New Horizon School in Ovala area have complained of unhygienic conditions. Unclean toilets, stained lobby, garbage heaps lying in the corners are some of the most common complaints by those lodged in these quarantine centres set up by the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC). Some have also found houseflies in the dal served to them in the food packets at Bhayandar pada.
The number of Covid-19 cases has increased to 1,500 in the city. Due to an insufficient number of beds in hospitals and hotels, asymptomatic positive and suspected patients are kept in the quarantine centres.
An 18-year-old positive patient from Sawarkarnagar who was admitted in New Horizon School quarantine centre on Monday, said, “There are more than 100 people admitted in this centre who use a single washroom. The washroom is foulsmelling and has not been cleaned in a long time. No one has even cleaned our room in the past five days.”
The centre has around 1,000 beds. The lobby has heaps of scrap lying around. A 40-yearold patient said, “I am here for almost a week; however, no doctor has visited to check our condition. We are not provided with masks too. The toilets are in unhygienic condition, while the building is not even clean.”
A family admitted to a quarantine centre in Bhayandar Pada has also had a terrible experience. A 38-year-old patient said, “The quality of food served to us is bad; however, we never complained. Today there were dead flies in dal, so we returned the meal. Even if a patient is fit, he will fall sick in this condition.”
The civic body, however, has refuted most of the claims. Sandeep Malvi, deputy municipal commissioner of TMC, said, “We have made all the necessary arrangements at all our quarantine centres and there is no dearth of any facility. The Bhayandar Pada centre has a separate kitchen attached where food is prepared for all those staying at this centre. We have not received any complaints. Moreover, food is packed properly and then distributed to the residents. Apart from regular meals, we also provide them with eggs and milk for nutrition. However, if there is any such complaint, we will look into it. We will ensure that the building is cleaned .”