Masks, Filters and Cleanroom Technology Provide Alternative to Distancing and Sheltering

Social distancing needs to be redefined as avoiding virus mist clouds. A voting line caused people to continually be walking into the mist cloud of the person ahead of them. This expanded definition along with sheltering in place creates great barriers to normal life. Alternatively, safety can be provided with a program which will have comfort and social acceptance along with affordability. This is now possible because of new filtration media, testing, decontamination and other technology innovations.

It starts with the fact that a washable highly efficient mask can be provided.

There are retail stores in China which sell nothing but these masks with many fashionable varieties. With the valve they are both comfortable and stylish. They are also washable. These are $30 masks which if worn 60 times would cost $.50 per wearing. There are less expensive designs available as well. Chinese companies are also producing washable N95 masks with and without the valve feature. Over the last few months the production has expanded to several million per day. Since they are washable the cost per wearing is as low as 10 cents.

The valve feature makes the wearer comfortable but since breath is discharged unfiltered it should only be used by people without symptoms.

A number of U.S and European companies are now offering nanofiber membranes. So, it will be possible to supply efficient washable masks to the general population.

There have also been improvements in media for air filters which allow high efficiency capture at modest pressure drop and cost. Other innovations involve air flow design in spaces and decontamination/destruction technology.

Here are the sequential protocols which will allow people to resume their normal business and social activities safely.

THE SOCIAL DISTANCING ALTERNATIVE

People will not wear an N95 mask with no valve in comfort. But if healthy people wear masks with valves they will be protected. If most people with symptoms wear the N95 masks without the valve they will not contaminate others. 

In fact, this approach is orders of magnitude safer than social distancing. A significant percentage of the viruses are emitted as small droplets (less than 5 microns) by breathing. You can visualize a virus cloud. If you are walking six feet behind, you are walking into the virus cloud created by the person ahead of you. So instead of a guideline which advises staying six feet apart a revision is needed which says stay six feet apart from any individual or the space he has occupied in the last 60 seconds or the space to which the ambient air may have moved the virus cloud.

HEPA filters have been proven to remove more than 99% of the viruses. Viruses are smaller than the filter openings but collide with larger particles or with the fibers through diffusion. UV light will also destroy viruses. HVAC systems and room purifiers can be designed to effectively protect individuals in the space.  Particulate monitoring comparisons to outside air provide good estimation of quantitative virus removal. Virus destruction with liquid chemicals, vapors, or gases can assure thorough sanitation.

The McIlvaine daily Coronavirus Market Alerts are providing insights on the best approaches to a cost-effective distancing alternative. The market forecasts anticipate a future where the protocols are permanent due to benefits not just from the present pandemic but for increased good health generally.

The leveraging of new technology and processes is being discussed in webinars http://home.mcilvainecompany.com/index.php/2-uncategorised/1574-coronavirus-webinars

Here are some of the key issues

·       Camfil talks about upgrading to MERV 15 in less critical areas and to HEPA filters in more critical areas.  Can we justify moving to HEPA filters in all space with high people density?

·       Let most people wear N95 masks with valves in order to keep them comfortable and safe

·       Developing a metric to include economic and social cost of alternatives. Why Quality Enhanced life Days can be that metric.

·       Why not develop a robust room air purifier rental program?

These are just some of the hundreds of issues and thousands of questions which need resolution. As each of them is resolved McIlvaine will update the forecasts of masks, filters, and other mitigation technology

Details on the service are found at  http://home.mcilvainecompany.com/index.php/markets/air/82ai-coronavirus-market-intelligence

Bob McIlvaine can answer your questions at 847 226 2391 or rmcilvaine@mcilvianecompany.com