Engineers develop reusable masks to avoid mountain of plastic waste
An eco-friendly company has developed a sustainable production line to make reusable face masks to help protect the planet while guarding people against the coronavirus.
About 8,000 masks – sold under the Fine Guard brand – are made in the UAE every day. Most are bought online within hours.
The reusable masks have been proven to kill 99 per cent of viruses, including the novel coronavirus.
They are also washable and manufacturers claim the masks are ideal for exercising and will help runners and cyclists abide by government guidelines when outdoors.
It is hoped the reusable masks will allay fears that a mountain of waste could be created by people dumping old face masks.
“We decided to make reusable masks in January that are environmentally friendly,” said James Michael Lafferty, chief executive of Fine Hygienic Holding, the company producing the face coverings.
“A lot of research had already been done to show this technology would kill 99 per cent of viruses and bacteria,” he said.
Extensive research was done by the University of Arizona to prove that materials used in the masks neutralise pathogens of all kinds on contact.
“It was tested on many viruses, including the nearest to Covid-19 – the 229E coronavirus,” Mr Lafferty said.
“Now we have proof this is an added layer of protection than you would get from an N95 mask.
“We have back orders of more than a million masks and regularly take calls from governments asking for more.”
The anti-viral masks are already available across the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia and Jordan.
Masks can be washed with soap and water up to 30 times and are effective for about two years. A ventilation valve makes them ideal to exercise in.
“It is hard to exercise with an N95 mask because it is difficult to pull air through the filtration sack,” Mr Lafferty said.
“When I go running in Dubai I see a lot of paper masks and gloves blowing, creating a huge amount of pollution. This is a solution.”
Although government advice and the latest information from the US Centres for Disease Control is to wear face coverings when outside at all times, exercising in a mask can pose health risks.
“It is very difficult to safely run while wearing an N95 mask because the demand for oxygen and ventilation is much greater during exercise,” said Dr Mohamed Rafique, a pulmonologist and medical director at Prime Hospital in Garhoud, Dubai.
“There is likely to be shortness of breath and inside the mask there will be a gradual build-up of carbon dioxide.”
Most hospitals will use only an N95 or respirator mask with an exhalation port and one-way valve to reduce the heat and humidity inside the face covering.
Most surgical masks typically contain several layers: a non-woven fabric, a middle plastic layer that acts as a filter and an absorbant inner layer.
Deepinder Singh Chhatwal, head of quality and performance management at Al Zahra Hospital, Sharjah, said all staff in the hospital wear surgical masks at all times.
“The most important aspect that we teach all staff is to wear their masks appropriately, because a loose-hanging mask does not offer much protection,” he said.
“N95 respirators come in various sizes and should be selected based on how it fits the user’s face in order to create a tight seal, but they are not available in a wide variety of sizes.”
As governments rush to stockpile masks, gloves, visors and gowns to protect health workers, environmentalists are afraid that the rapid increase in single-use plastic could be catastrophic.
A further solution is being developed by engineers at New York University Abu Dhabi who have developed a 3D-printed alternative.
Made from a tough, biodegradable material called polylactic acid, the mask can be reused and recycled to reduce waste.
“I think it is the responsibility of people to step in and do what they can,” said Anthony Tzes, an engineering professor who suspended other projects at NYUAD to develop a reusable mask.
“The mask is environmentally friendly and will not cause itching or irritation.”