Coronavirus
Technology Solutions
September 24, 2021
CATER Masks are Now Widely Recommended
Zen Graphene Mask Approved in Canada
Masks and Vaccination to Ride a Ski Lift in Austria
Mask Performance Now a
Criteria for Airlines
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CATER Masks are Now Widely Recommended
Comfortable, Attractive, Tight Fitting,
Efficient, Reusable masks are increasingly being
recommended.
CDC officials recently acknowledged that
vaccinated people can indeed spread the disease
to others around them.
“The best recommendation would be, regardless of
vaccination status, to continue wearing a mask
to protect your loved ones and yourself against
COVID as an added layer of protection,” said Dr.
Vivek Cherian, an internal medicine physician
affiliated with the University of Maryland
Medical System. But if you’re still wearing the
same face masks you rushed to purchase (or even
sew yourself) back in the early months of the
pandemic, it’s important to know these masks are
likely less protective than other options
available now.
What’s the best mask to protect against the
delta variant? Cloth masks made in the first
half of 2020 weren’t designed as stringently as
they are now, and it wasn’t until late 2020 and
early 2021 that CDC officials began making more
stringent mask recommendations to Americans
(like in January, when officials asked Americans
to consider double-masking). While cloth masks
certainly are better than no mask at all when it
comes to preventing the spread of COVID-19, the
fit and construction of medical-grade surgical
face masks are usually more comprehensive — and
currently, they’re readily available for
consumers.
Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Director
Lexie Sachs said that surgical masks are usually
made by PPE manufacturers who adhere to strict
quality standards that have been in place since
long before the pandemic began. “We know they’re
typically safer in terms of filtration and fit,”
Sachs added, as opposed to cloth masks made by
fashion retailers who don’t usually deal with
medical standards in construction. “They’re
often more breathable as well.”
Most crucially, you can rest assured that the
medical-grade surgical mask you’re wearing is
tested to meet standards set forth by ASTM
International, an industry group in charge of
establishing safety minimums for many products,
including face masks. “You’ll know whether or
not it’s been tested to meet standards — in this
case, ASTM Level 3 and more — rather than
blindly guessing with most cloth options,” Sachs
said.
There are also N95 and KN95 masks, otherwise
known as respirators, which are known to be more
protective than surgical masks. Why? Because
they’re carefully engineered to prevent large
and small airborne particles from specifically
penetrating the masks’ front.
Mayo Clinic officials clarify that while
surgical masks can indeed offer filtration on
par with or superior to cloth masks, they are
primarily designed to prevent fluids and sprays
from landing on the wearer in a clinical setting
— not particles or aerosols.
While N95 and KN95 masks were largely
unavailable at the start of the pandemic — and
officials at the Food and Drug Administration
still maintain that PPE supply levels are low in
crucial categories like respirators — there are
more respirator masks available now than there
were at the beginning of the outbreak. In fact,
Scott Gottlieb, a former FDA commissioner,
recently advised Americans to consider wearing
N95 or KN95 masks, sourced from China, to best
protect themselves from COVID-19 exposure in
public. “If you’re going to consider wearing a
mask, the quality of the mask does matter,”
Gottlieb told CBS reporters. “So if you can get
your hands on a KN95 mask, or an N95 mask,
that’s going to afford you a lot more
protection.” “There’s no question that they
offer the best protection as they fit more
securely and also offer high filtration
abilities if you are able to secure those
masks,” Cherian said. “However, cloth masks are
still an effective option .”
What’s the best mask for my child to wear? As
N95s are classified as a respirator, you’ll need
to fit them tightly across your nose and mouth
to ensure proper filtration and effectiveness.
Product manufacturers usually include directions
for mask wearers to ensure they’re using an N95
or KN95 correctly, but depending on which
respirator you choose, it may be harder to fit
the mask properly, explained Dr. Charles C. J.
Bailey, an infectious diseases specialist at
Providence Mission Hospital in California.
Because of their encompassing fit, Bailey and
other experts caution against children using an
N95 or KN95. Respirators can be much harder to
breathe in than medical masks or cloth masks,
which is especially challenging for kids in
active settings or during physical activity.
New ASTM International standards were drawn up
to give designers and lifestyle brands more
direction in creating safer non-PPE cloth face
masks. These standards ensure the mask will
properly fit over your nose and mouth, can
filter airborne particles effectively, and are
reasonably breathable for consumers, among other
concerns.
The Unicorn Breathing Mask is an example of a
cloth mask that claims to have been tested and
manufactured according to ASTM standards —
you’ll see clear language indicating this on the
brand’s digital storefront.
Manufacturers are slowly adapting the way they
make their masks so they can meet the standards
set forth by the ASTM; if a favorite mask
doesn’t yet display any ASTM classification, it
may be that the masks aren’t made sufficiently
protective to qualify, Sachs explained.
Zen Graphene Mask Approved in Canada
ZEN Graphene Solutions Ltd. a Canadian,
nanotechnology company focused on next-gen
healthcare solution announced Health Canada
approval of ZENGuard™ disposable face mask with
biocidal coating and is rated at an ASTM Level
3. The review process included extensive
examination of data related to shedding,
inhalation safety, skin irritation, pathogen
deactivation, bacterial filtration efficiency
and viral filtration efficiency.
As a result of the review, Health Canada has validated that ZENGuard™-enhanced surgical masks are safe for use by Canadians.
"Exactly one year ago today we announced the
scientific breakthrough related to our
antimicrobial coating - and now seeing proactive
affirmation from Health Canada that ZENGuard™-enhanced
surgical masks are safe, we have achieved a
major milestone for our Company and
shareholders. This heralds a future that would
not have been possible except for the ingenuity
and tireless effort from our people," commented
Greg Fenton, ZEN CEO.
"We are ready to bring what we believe is a
significant differentiator in the PPE space to
those in Canada's highest risk environments.
Looking beyond our borders, the first regulatory
approval of our technology for use on surgical
masks is also significant as we continue
developing our international growth strategy. We
will build on this momentum in the months ahead
through the expansion of our production capacity
and strategizing with our commercial partners.
This technology was conceived and designed to
address a global need - to better protect
front-line workers and those most vulnerable -
and this will continue to be a driving force for
our team moving forward." he added.
"A new level of safety and protection has been
achieved by the approval of Trebor's biocidal
coated ZENGuard™ mask. Health Care facilities
can now offer a better mask to fight against
airborne pathogens. This is a game changer in
the PPE space, and we look forward to reaching
out to Health Care facilities with this new gold
standard in mask protection" said George Irwin,
CEO of Trebor RX.
Masks and Vaccination to
Ride a Ski Lift in Austria
Austria will require protective face masks
and COVID-19 passes for the use of ski lifts
this winter as it tries to attract foreign
skiers for the first time in two years and also
prevent coronavirus outbreaks.
The conservative-led
government outlined the rules for the coming
season at a news conference that underlined the
importance of reviving tourism, which directly
contributes about 5% of economic output in
Austria.
The new rules stop short of
requiring all skiers to be vaccinated and left
many details unclear even though public
frustration over confusing coronavirus rules has
grown.
"This year there will
definitely be winter holidays in Austria,"
Tourism Minister Elisabeth Koestinger said. "We
have developed strict rules for a safe winter."
She struck a contrast with the previous winter
season, when resorts were open but hotels
closed, in effect preventing foreign visitors
coming to ski.
Skiers will have to wear face masks on enclosed
ski lifts and show they have been vaccinated,
tested or have recovered from COVID-19 when they
book a ticket, she said.
Mask Performance Now a Criteria for Airlines
Air travelers need to do more than just remember to bring a mask — they need to bring the right kind.
A handful of airlines, mostly in Europe, have banned cloth face coverings in favor of higher-standard versions including surgical masks or respirators. Last month, Finnair joined a list that includes Air France, Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines and Croatia Airlines.
“The health and safety of our customers and crew is our first priority, and fabric masks are slightly less efficient at protecting people from infection than surgical masks,” Finnair spokeswoman Heidi Lemmetyinen said in an email. The airline allows surgical masks and filtering respirators such as FFP2 or FFP3, as well as others that are equivalent to the N95 standard.
While U.S. airlines do have some restrictions on masks — none with valves are allowed, for example — they do not prohibit travelers from wearing cloth or fabric versions. The federal mask mandate for planes, trains and buses has been extended until mid-January.
“Some studies show a modest improvement of
efficacy of surgical masks compared with cloth
masks,” said Perry Flint, a spokesman for the
International Air Transport Association. “But
any face covering has shown to significantly
reduce spread of aerosols, and at this point we
have not taken a position on what types of face
masks should be required.”
787 Schools in Washington have Poor Ventilation
Data from the Washington Office of
Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) show
that 787 school buildings across the state have
“poor” ratings for their heating, ventilation
and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
Details on each are provided in the
following link
Most of the problem buildings were constructed
before 1991 when new building codes that
required improved ventilation went into effect
FSU to Add Portable HEPA
Filters in Classrooms
Florida State University says it is doing
everything in its power to provide a safe
environment for all and is continuing to address
concerns by enhancing the different methods
there are to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Last year, FSU Facilities installed high efficiency
particulate air filters in the HVAC air
filtration systems throughout campus, including
most of the classrooms. These MERV-13, high
efficiency filters use mechanical and
electrostatic filtration and have been
demonstrated to protect against water droplets
and many aerosol particles released from
coughing or sneezing. Facilities changes the
filters at least once every six months and
changed all of the filters prior to the start of
the Fall Semester.
President McCullough has requested additional
portable HEPA filter air purifiers for classroom
and teaching lab spaces. It’s anticipated these
will be deployed in spaces around campus
starting next week, however there could be
delays due to supply chain challenges caused by
Hurricane Ida. Finance and Administration is
working directly with Academic Affairs for a
complete distribution list of classrooms.
FSU continues to expect all members of the FSU
community to help mitigate the spread of
COVID-19 by wearing masks and getting
vaccinated.
Neenah Filtration has a New Filter
Media
Neenah
Filtration has launched a new filter media which
incorporates its patented asymmetric saturation
technology and combines the benefits of curing
and non-curing resins in one single medium for
filter manufacturers. The two-sided media
provides different characteristics which unlocks
advantages for its products and converters in a
brand-new way.
When processing filter media in the automotive
sector, it is important to ensure a certain
rigidity of the material for an optimal and fast
processing. At the same time, the material
should be designed in such a way that pleat
lines and dimples created during the pleating
process are reliable without damaging the media.
Its saturation technique gives Neenah Filtration
the ability to provide this robustness without
jeopardizing the medium’s pleat ability.
Another key function of this “asymmetric
saturation” or ability to combine different
resin systems on one media is that it allows it
to tailor-make its media to meet individual
customer needs.
Rensa-Permatron Offers Masks as Well as
Filters
Permatron is one of the companies acquired by Rensa Filtration (formerly known as Air Filtration Holdings, LLC). In 2017, Permatron became part of a premier air filtration business, led by industry leader Brandon Ost. Rensa invests in innovation and the people that drive it to manufacture and market best-in-class solutions that keep environments safe and industries thriving. The following air filter manufacturers complete the family of companies dedicated to delivering innovative air filtration technologies.
·
RoboVent – manufacturer of industrial ventilation
and filtration solutions
·
Viskon-Aire – manufacturer of air and paint filtration
·
D-Mark
– manufacturer of molecular filtration products
·
Air Filters Inc – manufacturer of pleated air filters,
fore-market HVAC/HEPA housing and HEPA
filters
·
Custom Filter LLC – manufacturer of specialty HEPA and ULPA
level filtration products
Studies show
that face masks, when worn correctly, can help
stop the spread of communicable diseases like
COVID-19. When we cough or sneeze—or even just
talk or breath heavily—we propel respiratory
droplets that can carry diseases and infect
others. Surgical face masks keep those droplets
out of the air. Since a great number of people
who are infected don’t show any symptoms and may
pass on COVID-19 unknowingly, wearing masks can
play a big role in reducing infection rates. But
some masks are far less effective than others.
In fact, poorly made face masks may do more harm
than good by providing false auras of safety,
putting well-meaning people at risk of spreading
COVID-19.
According to the CDC,
face masks
should:
·
Fit snugly
around the nose and chin, with no large gaps
around the sides of the face
·
Be made with
breathable fabric (like cotton)
·
Be made with
tightly woven fabric (i.e. fabrics that do not
let light pass through them when held up to a
light source)
·
Have two or
three layers of fabric
ASTM International,
formerly
known as American Society for Testing and
Materials, has developed the world’s leading
technical standards for fluid resistance,
filtration and breathability. They have also
established testing standards to assure face
masks, gloves, hand sanitizer and other PPE
equipment provide appropriate medical-grade
protection. They test for fluid resistance,
breathability, bacterial filtration, particulate
filtration and flammability. There are three
ASTM standard levels with their two highest,
Level 2 and Level 3, both providing at least 98%
particle filtration.
Permatron Face masks are ASTM-Rated Surgical
Face Masks Made in America. For more than 60 years, Permatron
has been a leader in designing and manufacturing
custom-made air filters to protect people,
products and HVAC systems from dust and
micro-contaminants. Developed in partnership
with Rensa Filtration, ClearCare™ Surgical Face
Masks are triple-layered for extra protection,
have polypropylene ear straps for all-day
comfort and are made from premium, breathable
material, plus the disposable ClearCare™
Surgical Face Masks are—
·
High Quality. Made from
never-recycled virgin fibers.
·
Fabricated
with more non-woven materials for a softer, more
comfortable feel.
·
Backed by
Permatron’s experienced operations and proven
reliability.
·
100% American Made. Manufactured by the team in Elk Grove
Village, IL. Every mask you purchase supports
jobs here at home.
Albers Develops Iso-Aire Filters
Over the years, the Albers team has had a hand
in thousands of mechanical contracting projects,
ranging from U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis to
the Ecolab Building in St. Paul. The company
continues to operate as Albers Mechanical
Contractors and has grown to include Ducts &
Cleats offering customized duct work and
fabrication solutions with its KoolDuct and
pro-R lines as well as custom fabrication
solutions.
The
latest expansion includes the company’s
innovative portfolio of commercial air
purification solutions called ISO-Aire™. Born
out of the COVID-19 pandemic, ISO-Aire™ houses
proven, medical-grade clean air technology –
recommended by the CDC and ASHRAE – that
captures and destroys 99.99% of harmful germs
and airborne pollutants. ISO-Aire™ units are
effectively helping to clean or “scrub” the air
on military bases and inside school classrooms
as well as day care centers, senior care
facilities, libraries, fitness studios, and
restaurants
ISO-Aire is an innovative and long-lasting,
clean air technology solution designed with
power-driven and proven components including
99.99% HEPA (High-efficiency Particulate Air)
filtration, ozone-free bipolar ionization and
UVC sterilization. Paired together they
eliminate 99.99% of potentially harmful airborne
particulates such as viruses, bacteria, mold,
and pollen.
Freudenberg Acquires Protect Plus Air
Freudenberg is expanding its filter business
strategically. In the United States, the
Freudenberg business group Filtration
Technologies is acquiring Protect Plus Air
Holding, Inc. from its current owner,
the Indianapolis-based private equity firm HKW.
Based in Hickory, North Carolina, Protect Plus
Air is a leading producer of high-quality air
filters that are mainly sold through retailers
for residential buildings. The company has 940
employees and generated $118 million in revenue
in 2020. The parties have agreed not to disclose
the purchase price.
"With the acquisition of Protect Plus Air, we are
expanding our portfolio of filtration solutions
in the important North American market by adding
the attractive, fast-growing field of
residential building ventilation," said Dr. Mohsen
Sohi, CEO of the Freudenberg Group. "Protect
Plus Air is expanding and strengthening our
already existing filtration portfolio for
mobility and industrial applications worldwide."
The U.S. Census Bureau puts the real estate market
in the U.S. at about 139 million residential
units in 2019. About 84 percent of them already
are equipped with air-conditioning or
ventilation systems. They rely on air filters
that improve performance and increase the
operating life of the equipment, and above all
protect people from airborne particles. The
market has been on the rise for several years.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, American consumers
have become more aware of air hygiene, which is
leading to increased demand, especially for
filters in higher performance categories.
"Protect Plus Air is an outstanding fit for us,"
said Dr. Andreas Kreuter, CEO of Freudenberg
Filtration Technologies. "The company's highly
customer-focused team has decisive factors in
retail in its favor, with a strong brand
portfolio, a competitive distribution network
and strong consulting expertise in commercial
marketing."
Founded in 2001, Protect Plus Air has had years of
excellent business relations with well-known
retail chains in the United States. The
Freudenberg Filtration Technologies business
group is providing its expertise in innovation,
materials and production to the company. The
Freudenberg group's operations in the U.S. are
based in Hopkinsville, Kentucky.
"In Freudenberg, we are glad to have found a new
owner oriented to technology and value,"
said Greg Schorr, CEO of Protect Plus Air.
"Together we will continue to offer our retail
customers outstanding services and products and
will expand cooperation with our business
partners further."
As a global technology leader in air and
liquid filtration, Freudenberg Filtration
Technologies develops and produces
high-performance, energy-efficient filtration
solutions which improve the efficiency of
industrial processes, conserve resources,
protect people and the environment and thus
enhance the quality of life. With its Viledon
and micronAir global brands, Freudenberg
Filtration Technologies offers customers
innovative filter elements and systems for the
energy and resources, hygiene and health,
automobile and transport, production and
building technology sectors, and for
highly-specialized applications. In 2020,
Freudenberg Filtration Technologies generated
sales of €519.4 million and employed 2,853
people at year end.
