McIlvaine Coronavirus Market Ale

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This 2013 analysis shows that , the effectiveness of American National Standards Institute-/Occupational Safety and Health Administration (ANSI-/OSHA)-accepted fit tests for particulate respirators in predicting actual workplace protection provided to workers is lacking.

NIOSH addressed this issue by evaluating the fit of half-mask particulate filtering respirators as a component of a program designed to add total inward leakage (TIL) requirements for all respirators to Title 42 Code of Federal Regulations Part 84. Specifically, NIOSH undertook a validation study to evaluate the reproducibility of the TIL test procedure between two laboratories.

To pass the test, NIOSH has proposed a TIL of ≤1% in any one of the three donning’s of each FFR tested on each subject. A TIL value of ≤1% is equivalent to a FF value of ≥100 obtained for subjects performing the OSHA-prescribed exercises for passing the fit test.

A PortaCount® was used to measure the TIL of five N95 model filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) on test subjects in two different laboratories. Concurrently, filter efficiency for four of the five N95 FFR models was measured using laboratory aerosol as well as polydisperse NaCl aerosol employed for NIOSH particulate respirator certification.

Results showed that two N95 models passed the TIL tests at a rate of ~80–85% and ~86–94% in the two laboratories, respectively. However, the TIL passing rate for the other three N95 models was 0–5.7% in both laboratories combined. Good agreement (≥83%) of the TIL data between the two laboratories was obtained. The three models that had relatively lower filter efficiency for laboratory aerosol as well as for NaCl aerosol showed relatively low TIL passing rates in both laboratories. Of the four models tested for penetration, one model with relatively higher efficiency showed a higher passing rate for TIL tests in both laboratories indicating that filter efficiency might influence TIL. Further studies are needed to better understand the implications of the data in the workplace.

Surgical mask material is fairly good for trapping viruses, but surgical masks as normally worn by themselves are not very effective at protecting you because they are not sealed. The main reason surgical masks fail to protect people is air leakage around the mask, whereby viruses can just easily go around the mask and into your nose and mouth. The amount of air going around a mask is known as "total inward leakage (TIL)" in scientific research.

For example, a study of manikins wearing face masks showed that typical total inward leakage often exceeded 25%. The graphs below are for different testing conditions. Normal resting human breathing is around 5-8 liters per minute, and light activity is typically around 12 liters per minute, so the top left graph is probably applicable to most people.

That is a very big difference - surgical mask material allowed just 3% to 7% of 100nm particles being breathed, but as normally worn without any external face seal, the air going around the mask resulted in a total inward leakage of around 25% to 35% of 100nm particles inhaled for normal breathing. There are lower percentages for heavier breathing, such as engaging in activity which causes you to breathe harder, probably because stronger breathing sucks the mask to make a better seal, but it's still a very bad seal.

If you have a mask using certified N95 or N99 rated material, but it does not seal your face completely, and allows 25% total inward leakage, then that's like having an N75 or N70 mask.

Basically, no matter how highly the materials are rated, certified, or perform, they won't protect you well if the mask is not sealed around your face to eliminate inward leakage of air.

Top & nose leakage:	Top & nose leakage:
Bottom leakage:	Side leakage:

The Cross Strap Spongy Face Mask Sealer works best with surgical masks and soft N95 masks. Another option is - a surgical mask inside of an N95, and thirdly with the Cross Strap Spongy face mask sealer on top of both. After the face mask sealer is attached, take the ear loops of the other masks out from around the ears, because they are no longer necessary, and the straps around the back of the head are much more comfortable.

To protect yourself and others from pathogens you should be realistic and not rationalize what you may desire. The data above is real.

Some doctors seal their surgical masks by putting tape around the mask to seal it to their face. That seems like it would be uncomfortable to wear and maybe painful to remove. An external mask may be more comfortable.

The Cross Strap Spongy face mask sealer is something you wear on top of a surgical face mask, or on top of an N95 face mask, to create a much better seal, to try to change results from the right side to the left side. You can take your cheap surgical mask and make it work much better by putting this mask on top. It has these features:

1. A soft foam material around the nose, which pushes the face mask against the face. This prevents air leakage around the nose. It is also MUCH more comfortable than the metal strip. This seals the TOP of the face mask.

2. A second elastic band to go under the jaw and around the cheeks, to seal the BOTTOM and TWO SIDES of the mask.

3. Altogether, two elastic bands, one for the top, and one for the bottom and sides, approximately 90 degrees to each other. These elastic bands go around the back of the head, not around the ears, for a tighter seal and better comfort. These elastic bands can be adjusted to fit the person's head size.

It is important to understand that the Cross Strap Spongy Face Mask Sealer is not intended to be used alone and is instead intended to be used with another face mask, usually a surgical mask. You first put on a surgical mask. In the photos above, you can see the surgical mask underneath, put on with loops around the ear. Our mask goes on top of that and has no loops around the ears.

(The metal nose strip which comes with surgical masks may be uncomfortable, so you can just put it on upside down, with the metal strip under the chin instead, if you use our external face mask sealer. Also, after our mask has secured the surgical mask, you can optionally remove the surgical mask's loops around the ears if they're uncomfortable.)

We have the option of shipping the Cross Strap Spongy Mask together with a surgical mask or an N95 or N99 or other quality material if there is sufficient stock of surgical masks or N95 or N99 material available, but because stocks are in short supply during an epidemic, the Cross Strap Spongy Face Mask is usually shipped alone, and can instead be used with masks which people already have, such as a surgical mask or an N95 or N99 mask for which you want better sealing and comfort. If you want to put two surgical masks under the Cross Strap Spongy Face Mask Sealer, for double protection, that's okay, too.

The Public Health Agency of Canada has updated its recommendations on non-medical face masks with the country’s top doctor now suggesting Canadians wear coverings that are made of three layers including a filter.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Canada's Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam said adding what is called a filter layer to masks will provide Canadians with extra protection against COVID-19.

"This is an additional recommendation, just to add another layer of protection," Tam said.

As more research is conducted on the novel coronavirus, Tam said guidelines on how to best limit the spread of the virus has also evolved.

Tam said that masks with a filter will help trap small infectious particles and further protect against COVID-19. She said the degree of protection varies based on the construction, materials, and particularly the fit of non-medical masks.

"I keep emphasizing the fit is one of the most important things," she said. "It fits around your mouth, on your nose, and it has to cover your mouth and nose. So that's really important."

Tam stressed that Canadians currently using two-layered masks do not need to throw them in the trash but should instead purchase a disposable filter to insert between the layers.

"We're not saying just throw out everything that you have. Nobody's really [done a] study on non-medical masks in the past so there's been actually more research into different materials," Tam said.

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, a non-medical mask should be made of at least three layers, two of which should be tightly woven material fabric, such as cotton or linen. The third, middle layer should be a filter-type fabric, such as non-woven polypropylene fabric.

Reusable masks with a non-woven filter layer already built in should be washed daily and can be washed multiple times. Those with disposable filters should be changed daily or as directed by the manufacturer, according to the updated guidelines.

When buying new face masks in the future, Tam said Canadians should look for those made with these three layers.

"Adding another layer of protection, I think, is particularly important right now as we're all moving inside," Tam said.

Infectious disease specialist Dr. Brian Conway told CTV News Channel that the updated recommendations will help deter Canadians from purchasing fashion-focused face masks that offer little protection.

"There are many fashion masks that are being made that don't cover the nose and don't cover the mouth, that don't have a way of being fitted closely to the face," Conway explained in an interview on Tuesday.

"This is more a reaction against that than against the very good two-layer mask we still have."

Conway agreed with Tam that the extra layer of protection is critical as the weather turns colder and more Canadians spend their time indoors.

While there is limited studies on the effectiveness three-layered masks compared to those with two layers, Conway said face coverings with a filter will provide better protection against possible transmission through smaller, aerosol droplets.

"It's really a call to action for all of us. If you buy a mask, if a three-layer mask is available, I think that's probably preferable. But again, good two layer masks have served us so well over the past several months," he said.

Despite the difference in layers, Conway said that Canadians do not have to disregard the masks they have been using until now. He stressed a two-layer mask is still effective if it fits as closely as possible against the face.

"Please wear them properly, please change them frequently and make sure that you have a mask on your person at all times," Conway said.

The new recommendation on face masks comes on the heels of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau warning that the window to control the second wave of the pandemic is "closing fast" as Canada’s cases continue to surge.

Trudeau again pleaded with Canadians on Tuesday to limit their contacts to what is "absolutely essential," download the COVID-19 Alert app, wear a face mask and practice good hand hygiene to help control the rise in infections.

"We have to work together -- right now -- to beat the second wave. It won’t be easy, but I know we can do it," Trudeau said.

Testing by the University of Colorado Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering found that the Carrier Infinity air purifier with Captures & Kills technology inactivates 99% of coronavirus trapped on the filter. Other third-party testing has concluded that this technology also inactivates 99% of select viruses and bacteria trapped on the filter, such as a common cold virus surrogate, Streptococcus pyogenes and human influenza. Carrier is a part of Carrier Global Corporation a leading global provider of healthy, safe and sustainable building and cold chain solutions.

The Infinity air purifier, a product part of the Healthy Homes suite of Carrier’s Healthy Buildings Program’s indoor air quality solutions, works silently as part of a home heating and cooling system, using a filter and electrical charges to inactivate various pathogens, pollen, animal dander and other contaminants to enhance indoor air quality.

“As people continue to spend more time at home, it’s important to have technology to help make indoor environments healthier and safer,” said Justin Keppy, President, NA Residential & Light Commercial, Carrier. “By removing these pathogens, including coronavirus, from the air it filters, the Infinity air purifier gives families peace of mind that their loved ones have a cleaner and healthier home in which to live, learn, work and play.”

The Infinity air purifier works with most HVAC systems produced by both Carrier and other manufacturers and treats the air flowing through an HVAC system’s air handler using a three-step, charge/capture/kill process that inactivates 99% of select viruses and bacteria:

· Step One: Charge – the purifier creates a “cloud” of electrically charged ions that attach themselves to airborne dust, pollen, viruses, germs and other particles as they pass through.

· Step Two: Capture – the ionized particles are pulled toward an oppositely charged, pleated filter and captured at an extremely high rate.

· Step Three: Kill – captured airborne microbes remain on the pleated filter instead of recirculating back into the home and are subjected to an intense electric field.

The University of Colorado’s testing was conducted with a murine coronavirus that is closely related to the human coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19. The murine pathogen surrogate allowed testing to be completed safely. More information on the science behind the Infinity air purifier and the testing is available on carrier.com/purifier.

Increased interest in filtration, disinfection and other tools for improving the quality of indoor air will likely create a new revenue opportunity of multiple billions of dollars across the industry, Johnson Controls International Plc CEO George Oliver said on a call Tuesday to discuss the building-products company’s most recent quarterly results with Brooke Sutherland of Bloomberg.

Johnson Controls alone is looking at potential projects in this vein worth “a couple of hundred million” for just next year, he said. That echoes commentary from rivals including Carrier Global Corp., which estimates the ultimate market for indoor air-quality improvements will reach about $10 billion, including $150 million of potential business opportunities the company has already identified for itself. Honeywell International Inc. cited a more than $600 million sales pipeline for its “healthy buildings” offerings.

It’s in these companies’ interest to tout this opportunity. Heating, ventilation and air conditioner (HVAC) systems have been a rare bright spot in an industrial sector that’s struggled to inspire investors with third-quarter results that signaled a sure but slow recovery. Consumers have been snapping up new air conditioners amid a lockdown-inspired home-improvement wave, but even commercial landlords are investing at a greater rate than expected as they try to lure people back to offices, restaurants and retail space.

There were fears that air conditioners were to blame for spikes in coronavirus cases as hot summer weather pushed people indoors. The reality is that these systems can be an effective tool in fighting off contagions — with some upgrades. These range from adding higher levels of filtration and allowing for more outside air flow to installing ultraviolet light disinfectant systems and digital-monitoring technology that lets building managers know if everything is working as it should. All of these cost money.

“It’s something that everybody needs,” Honeywell CEO Darius Adamczyk said on a call to discuss third-quarter results last week. “At least in the U.S. and some other parts of the world, people are not working in their workplace yet. But when they do come back, they do want to come back to a healthier environment. I think we’re kind of hitting the spot there and the time to implement those solutions is now, not after people come back.”

Carrier CEO Dave Gitlin pointed out that people spend a whopping 90% of their lives indoors on average, meaning that if you are 50 years old, you’ve spent 45 years sitting inside. That is both depressing and instructive. We may be more aware of our time inside after having endured lockdowns, but even in a pandemic-free future we’re still going to be breathing in an awful lot of indoor air. And it seems likely that after everything the world has been through, the average person is at least going to think twice about the quality of that air.

This theme fits hand in hand with a broader pivot toward sustainability in both the HVAC industry in particular and the manufacturing economy more broadly. A building that’s helping the environment by releasing fewer greenhouse gases doesn’t have the same appeal if the air within its four walls can be a (real or perceived) conduit for disease. What we’ve learned is that our previous standards of air purification didn’t hold up to the test of the pandemic and those need to evolve accordingly, Oliver of Johnson Controls said. After all, the coronavirus is unlikely to be the last novel pathogen the world encounters.

Trane Technologies Plc estimates there are 1.7 trillion square feet of building space around the world and that some 400 billion of that is non-residential, communal real estate. If all of that ultimately needs to be upgraded, well, you get the picture.