Abstract
Abstract COVID-19 viruses are primarily transmitted between people via respiratory droplets generated from an infected person while coughing, sneezing, exhaling or close contact. Hence, the use of masks are part of prevention and control measures to limit the spread of COVID-19. A comprehensive study on various materials used in masks is required. The filtration efficiency of cotton masks increases with increase in thread count and number of layers, but breathability is affected and therefore a risk for longer durations. Cotton-based masks have filtration efficiency ranging from 5% to 80% depending on the number of layers. Combinations of different hybrid fabric materials and design have an efficiency ranging from 37% to 97%. Bio-cellulose, which is derived from cellulosic biomass by synthesis techniques involving various physical and chemical processes followed by refining techniques, possesses remarkable properties including biodegradability, biocompatibility, low toxicity, etc., making it the most suitable mask material. Masks made of bio-cellulose have an important property of hydrophilicity which makes it adhere to the face tightly, giving a cooling effect to the face. Use of nanocellulose masks can help attaining filtration efficiency up to 99.9980–99.9995% along with other desirable properties. Hence, there is an immediate need to address the issues and challenges of mask materials and work towards the design and development of low cost masks to overcome these shortcomings by the researchers and manufacturers.
Highlights
Coronaviruses cause respiratory infections ranging from common colds to more severe diseases such as the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
Coronaviruses are very tiny and most fabrics cannot be used as a material for masks
The results of Amendola et al [19] compared seven different types of face masks made from cotton, non-woven fabric, or combinations of both fabrics, with pharmacy-bought medical face masks, revealing that the medical face mask was characterized by average filtration efficiency of higher than 97%, and the face masks fabricated with three layers are able to filter with more than 95% efficiency
Summary
Coronaviruses cause respiratory infections ranging from common colds to more severe diseases such as the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). WHO mentions some potential harms and disadvantages of the use of face masks by healthy people in the general public These include increased risk of self-contamination due to manipulation of a face mask, potential self-contamination if non-medical masks are not changed when soiled or wet, potential headache or breathing difficulties, and a false sense of security, leading to potentially lower adherence to other critical preventive measures such as physical distancing and hand hygiene. Keeping view of this new development and announcement by WHO regarding mask wearing, it is necessary to educate people regarding the merits, demerits and suitable materials available for masks which can provide all aspects of protection and comfort. It is tried to update the benefits and new materials available for masks which can be used safely and comfortably
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