Mask Policy Agenda Webinar Thursday Just Touched the Surface

Vogmask Offers Fashionable but Effective Mask

eSpin Provides Media for Masks and Filters

Big Shift in WHO Mask Policy

Sportswear Companies Pursuing the Mask Market

Mask Needs in India

Carrier Global Provides Mobile Air Filtration Systems for Hospitals

Portable Booths That Mimic Cleanrooms

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Mask Policy Agenda Webinar Thursday Just Touched the Surface

We could have talked for weeks but did manage to condense a lot of valuable information into a 90 minute group webinar followed by a solo recording by Bob McIlvaine. The group discussion was too good to terminate. The two recordings can be the part of the background for the next webinar.

The group recording is found at   https://youtu.be/lwVpSB7mkHk

The second recording and more information on the group discussion will appear in the Alert tomorrow.  Here is partial coverage

 

Panelists

Paul Gardner former Chief of Respiratory Branch U.S. Army

 

Christine Sun President of Waterloo Filtration Institute

 

Barry Garfinkle, Principal at Barry Garfinkle & Associates

 

 

Bob Burkhead,  Blue Heaven Technologies

 

 

 

 

Speakers

Bob McIlvaine, President McIlvaine Company

 

 

Wendover Brown, Vogmask

 

 

Jerry Fan, Mogul

 

 

Jayesh Doshi eSpin

(no picture)

 

 

Agenda

 

There will be three  5-7 minute speeches on masks, media, and fibers.  There is time allotted for questions and comments after each speech

 

The final 60 minutes will be a discussion of mask options using the slide deck which you have received.  You can ask questions of the experts and provide your own insights.

 

Wendover Brown – Vogmask

 

Jerry Fan -  Mogul

 

Jayesh Doshi – eSpin

 

Bob McIlvaine - McIlvaine

 

Vogmask Offers Fashionable but Effective Mask

Wendover Brown traced the history of the company which began in September 2011 with a mission to create an important tool for protecting respiratory health and raise awareness of the need to clean the air we breathe. 

Vogmasks developed designs and technical specifications, sourced manufacturing and packaging in Seoul, Korea, and presented the first 60,000 Vogmasks in March 2012.  By October 2013, WHO declared particles in air pollution as carcinogenic, China’s “airpocalypse” attracted global media attention, and experts in global public health confirmed the benefit of mask use for consumers.  The mission is to provide the highest quality and most comfortable masks for general use as the demand for medical and workplace respirators is better met by machine manufactured products in high volumes. The objective is to make high quality, well-fitting masks available to the public for protecting health.

Over the course of nine years, Vogmask has gained worldwide regard as the original respirator combining cool designs with high efficiency, superior comfort, and excellent fit. 

Vogmask conforms to the international standards for particle filtering efficiency, inhalation and exhalation resistance, valve leakage, fit, durability, and Health and Safety Requirements established for respirators.  It is not designed as PPE nor intended for medical or workplace. It has been recommended by health care providers

eSpin Provides Media for Masks and Filters

Jayesh Doshi of eSpin described their surge in activity due to the COVID needs for efficient masks and filter media.  They use electrospinning technology to produce nanofiber media. There are a number of uses involving different  applications and resins.

eSpin is providing efficient washable mask media

HEPA filters are another product.

Media is also supplied for respirators.

 

Big Shift in WHO Mask Policy

In a big shift from its earlier position, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued new guidelines that say everyone should wear a three-layer fabric or non-medical mask in public to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

People above 60 years or with health issues should wear a medical mask in settings where social distancing is difficult, and all others should wear a three-layer fabric mask that acts as “a barrier for potentially infectious droplets,” according to the new guidelines released on Friday.

“In light of evolving evidence, WHO advises that governments should encourage the general public to wear masks where there is widespread transmission and physical distancing is difficult, such as on public transport, in shops or in other confined or crowded environments... Based on this new research, WHO advises that fabric masks should consist of at least three layers of different material,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of WHO.

Medical masks are defined as surgical or procedure masks that are flat or pleated; they are affixed to the head with straps that go around the ears or head or both. Their performance characteristics are tested according to a set of standardized test methods (ASTM F2100, EN 14683, or equivalent) that aim to balance high filtration, adequate breathability and optionally, fluid penetration resistance. Filtering facepiece respirators (FFR), or respirators, similarly offer a balance of filtration and breathability; however, whereas medical masks filter 3 micrometre droplets, respirators must filter more challenging 0.075 micrometre solid particles. European FFRs, according to standard EN 149, at FFP2 performance filter at least 94% solid NaCl particles and oil droplets, and US N95 FFRs, according to NIOSH 42 CFR Part 84, filter at least 95% NaCl particles. Certified FFRs must also ensure unhindered breathing with maximum resistances during inhalation and exhalation. Another important difference is the way filtration is tested; medical mask filtration tests are performed on a cross-section of the masks whereas FFRs are tested for filtration across the entire surface. Therefore, the layers of the filtration material and the FFR shape, ensuring outer edges of the FFR seal around wearer’s face, result in a guaranteed claimed filtration when worn compared to the open shape, or leaking structure, of medical masks. Other FFR performance requirements include being within specified parameters for maximum CO2 build up, total inward leakage and tensile strength of straps.

WHO advises decision makers to apply a risk-based approach focusing on the following criteria when considering or encouraging the use of masks for the general public:

 1. Purpose of mask use: if the intention is preventing the infected wearer transmitting the virus to others (that is, source control) and/or to offer protection to the healthy wearer against infection (that is, prevention)

2. Risk of exposure to the COVID-19 virus ­due to epidemiology and intensity of transmission in the population: if there is community transmission and there is limited or no capacity to implement other containment measures such as contact tracing, ability to carry out testing and isolate and care for suspected and confirmed cases. ­ depending on occupation: e.g., individuals working in close contact with the public (e.g., social workers, personal support workers, cashiers).

3. Vulnerability of the mask wearer/population: for example, medical masks could be used by older people, immunocompromised patients and people with comorbidities, such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes mellitus, chronic lung disease, cancer and cerebrovascular disease.

 4. Setting in which the population lives: settings with high population density (e.g. refugee camps, camp-like settings, those living in cramped conditions) and where individuals are unable to keep a physical distance of at least 1 metre (3.3 feet) (e.g. public transportation).

 5. Feasibility: availability and costs of masks, access to clean water to wash non-medical masks, and ability of mask wearers to tolerate adverse effects of wearing a mask.

 6. Type of mask: medical mask versus non-medical mask Based on these criteria, Table 2 provides practical examples of situations where the general public should be encouraged to wear a mask and it indicates specific target populations and the type of mask to be used according to its purpose. The decision of governments and local jurisdictions whether to recommend or make mandatory the use of masks should be based on the above criteria, and on the local context, culture, availability of masks, resources required, and preferences of settings.

 

Sportswear Companies Pursuing the Mask Market

The  sportswear companies are finding lots of interest in their masks.  They add prestige and  demand for masks but are people going to regret not having a more efficient mask?

Adidas is offering lightweight masks in a 3-pack for $16. The Adidas masks are made from recycled content, including 93 percent recycled polyester and 7 percent elastane. They are washer and dryer safe for daily use and feature breathable fabric, which make the masks comfortable and easy to wear for short trips and longer errands.

The training face covers come in black and blue with an Adidas logo featured on the bottom corner of the mask. The large size fits most adults. The dimensions are 6″ x 6.7.″

Fortunately, for kids or adults with smaller faces, the masks also come in smaller sizes in the same colors, the black mask option and the blue mask option. The dimensions for the smaller masks are 5.4″ x 6.1,″ but the small size is not recommended for kids younger than 12.

If you need masks for children, The Gap are selling even smaller sizes for kids.

Last week, Under Armour released its “UA SPORTSMASK,” a mask marketed toward athletes to help protect from the spread of the coronavirus. Unfortunately for those who weren’t quick to order, the masks were so popular that they sold out in under an hour.

 

The masks have a three-layer design and feature a slightly more rigid exterior for the mask that is “treated with PROTX2 to maximize breathability while protecting the health and well-being of all.”

Since they sold out so quickly the first time, Under Armour are making the UA SPORTSMASK available for preorder on its website and masks are expected to ship out on or by Aug. 17. CEO Patrik Frisk said in his tweet more would be available in July.

 

Mask Needs in India

COVID is rapidly spreading and social distancing is nearly impossible in crowded residential areas of India. This would dictate the use of more efficient rather than less efficient masks. Efforts in New Delhi and Mumbai to account for previously unrecorded virus-related deaths led to a surge in India’s death toll on Tuesday, bringing the total to nearly 12,000.

Mumbai recorded 1,409 deaths on Tuesday, and the capital, New Delhi, added 437 fatalities, according to data from the federal health ministry. The country now has the eighth-highest death toll worldwide.

Officials in the two cities had been accused of underreporting the death toll. The Delhi health minister, Satyendar Jain, blamed insufficient information from hospitals.

“Every death count must have corresponding documents to back the death, otherwise they are just figures,” Mr. Jain said in a TV interview. On Tuesday, he was hospitalized for a high fever and respiratory symptoms, and later said he had tested positive for the virus.

The Indian arm of Adidas, on Monday announced the launch of two-layered face covers made of breathable recycled fabric to help people stay safe as the country gradually reopens from the world's most stringent lockdown.

The company said these covers are available at an introductory price of ₹699 for a pack of three. The face covers have been launched in two variants--Adidas performance and Adidas Originals Blue--with features such as prime green fabric, which is high performance recycled fabric free of virgin plastic. They come with two layer fabric with stretchable ear straps and are washable.

“As lockdown restrictions continue to ease, people need increased protection while venturing out. The product is designed to help prevent the spread of viruses and germs through droplet transmission," said Manish Sapra, senior marketing director, Adidas India.

Adidas has been reallocating design and supply chain resources to create reusable face covers that are being added to its range of products. While not medically graded, the face covers will be widely available to relieve the burden on limited medical-grade mask supplies.

Both variants of the face covers will be available in two sizes, small and large, across 75 cities and at the brand's e-commerce platform.

Puma India has also launched face masks.

Meanwhile, a clutch of fashion brands such as Allen Solly, Peter England, Zodiac Shirts and Fabindia have started creating designer and printed masks as covering one's face has become the new normal in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic.

Recently, homegrown outdoor and tactical gear firm, Wildcraft India Pvt Ltd, forayed into manufacturing and distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE) including hazmat suits, respirator masks and face shields.

Carrier Global Provides Mobile Air Filtration Systems for Hospitals

How do you prevent COVID-19 from traveling through hospitals? Powerful air filtration is essential to stopping the spread, but many hospitals only have these systems in certain areas—like isolation rooms. In cities with the worst outbreaks, there are far more patients than rooms with safe air.

Carrier Global Corporation—a Florida manufacturer of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, as well as refrigeration and fire and security technologies—used their expertise to help convert normal rooms to air isolation rooms by developing the OptiClean negative air machine.

The specs: Powerful air filtration systems are usually hard-wired, making them impossible to transport. Carrier’s OptiClean device, on the other hand, is unique, featuring:

·      A wheeled base, allowing it to be moved to different hospital rooms as needed;

·      A cord that plugs into a standard 115-volt outlet, so it can be used in pretty much any room;

·      A 100% seal, which keeps unclean air from bypassing the filters—making it as powerful as traditional air filtration systems that are hardwired into isolation rooms; and

The timeline: In just two weeks this March, the Carrier team developed a prototype and shipped four models to hospitals across the country for field trials—a process that would ordinarily take up to a year.

The result: Carrier has been producing OptiClean devices since April and has already fulfilled orders for hundreds of units.

What’s next: Carrier is hoping OptiClean devices will be used in homes, businesses, assisted living facilities and elsewhere in future to provide cleaner air and protect vulnerable populations.

Portable Booths That Mimic Cleanrooms

How do you keep health care workers safe during COVID-19? It’s one of the most crucial questions of the pandemic. One manufacturer came up with an answer: build them portable booths that mimic clean rooms.

Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope–a company that manufactures glazed products like windows, storefronts, and safety glass—has created a small glass enclosure that shields a health care worker from patients while allowing her to do her job.

The company thinks it could be a gamechanger—by decreasing health care workers’ exposure to the virus and greatly reducing their need for personal protective equipment (along with the time spent changing in and out of it).

How it works: The booth’s modular glass system is easy to clean and assemble. It features:

·      Built-in gloves that allow health care workers to examine patients without exposing themselves.

·      Positive air pressure to keep   outside air from filtering in.

·      A powerful filtration system—backed up with the company’s airtight window technologies—that keeps the air inside clean and safe.

How they built it: It was a Herculean effort—the company crammed a development process that normally takes a year into a monthlong sprint.

·      On March 23, the idea was hatched.

·      Four days later, OBE came up with seven potential designs, then reviewed them until they found the best one.

·      Within three weeks, the company had purchased parts, treated materials, and built two working prototypes.

·      Less than 29 days after the idea was first discussed, OBE manufactured its first booth.

What’s next? OBE has submitted its designs to regulatory authorities, including the FDA. Once the design is approved:

·      Within two weeks, the company expects to start production of its first orders

·      With more than 80 locations in the US and Canada, OBE could deploy the technology across North America.

And there’s more…The booth could even feature in the reopening of the economy. OBE has designed a second version for workers who need to be in close proximity without contact, like ticket takers at movie theaters, sports venues and airports.

Here’s another question: what’s one of the most important forces helping to save lives during the pandemic? Answer: manufacturers’ ingenuity.