Aerosol and Air Quality Research,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
24(5), P. 230180 - 230180
Published: Nov. 30, 2023
Medical
face
masks
are
an
efficient
protective
barrier
against
the
propagation
of
bacteria
and
viruses
in
societies.
The
current
European
standard
focuses
on
bacterial
filtration
efficiency
filtering
material
for
a
mean
particle
size
3.0
µm
terms
droplets
that
exhaled,
but
inhaled
can
be
transported
by
particles
sub-micron
size.
medical
mask
was
evaluated
bench
test
from
both
unused
charged
discharged
masks.
Several
polydisperse
aerosols
were
used
-
DEHS,
alumina,
HOLI,
NaCl,
Staphylococcus
epidermidis
Emesvirus
zinderi
(MS2)
produced
liquid
atomization
and/or
powder
dispersion,
sized
optical
aerodynamic
counters
or
cascade
impactors.
results
have
shown
distribution
charges
given
type
aerosol
differ
depending
generator
used,
particular
wet
dry
nature
generation.
range
showed
neutral
lower
than
due
to
electrostatic
forces,
e.g.,
92%
versus
99%
DEHS
alumina
respectively
diameter
0.6
µm.
With
material,
degraded
all
types
tested:
30%
65%
0.25
alumina.
For
sizes
>
3
µm,
indicated
has
little
influence
because
collection
is
dominated
impaction
interception
mechanisms.
tests
with
MS2
virus
demonstrated
good
fit
NaCl
expressed
diameters
over
between
0.65
7
materials.
Resources Conservation and Recycling,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
208, P. 107719 - 107719
Published: May 30, 2024
In
an
era
of
electronics-driven
healthcare,
the
disposability
many
medical
devices
raises
environmental
concerns.
Transitioning
these
towards
a
circular
economy,
involving
practices
like
reuse,
remanufacturing,
and
recycling,
holds
promise.
Our
paper
explores
this
transition
through
desk
research,
literature
review,
expert
interviews,
examining
current
state
design
in
electronic
devices.
We
unveil
barriers,
opportunities,
recommendations
for
circularization.
First,
we
highlight
circularity
potential
currently
on
market,
implementing
e.g.
refuse,
recycle,
etc.
Second,
present
barriers
device
design,
(e.g.
(perceived)
safety
infection
risks,
regulatory
difficulties,
financial
constraints,
difficulties
collection
separation)
opportunities
to
overcome
barriers.
Finally,
29
design-specific
creating
insights
into
healthcare
urge
engineers
integrate
sustainable
principles
development
without
compromising
safety,
quality,
or
functionality.
Environmental Technology & Innovation,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
28, P. 102897 - 102897
Published: Sept. 3, 2022
Wearing
a
medical
mask
for
longer
than
the
manufacturer's
recommended
4
h
would
reduce
number
of
masks
used
and
limit
their
environmental
impact.
The
objective
this
study
was
to
determine
if
could
be
worn
an
extended
period
time
by
simulating
different
wearing
conditions.
A
simulator
developed
reproducibly
various
experimental
conditions
(wearing
time,
breathing
pattern,
fit,
inhaled
air
humidity)
placing
on
3D
replica
upper
airways
connected
respiratory
pump.
Medical
performance
determined
assessing
normative
requirements:
bacterial
filtration
breathability.
No
impact
observed
times
from
2
8
h.
Similarly,
when
moderate
effort
or
at
rest,
humidity
levels
in
fitting
conditions,
no
influence
found.
These
results
imply
that
none
these
appear
have
significant
performance.
In
conclusion
some
can
up
under
without
decrease
breathability
This
recommendation
possible
rise
usage
duration
waste,
thus
consequence.
Energies,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
17(7), P. 1648 - 1648
Published: March 29, 2024
The
circular
economy
model
is
based
on
the
4R
framework—reduce,
reuse,
recycle,
and
recover.
While
recycling
was
primary
focus
in
past,
shortage
of
raw
materials
desire
to
reduce
carbon
footprints
have
led
a
change
focus:
end-of-life
are
now
considered
resources
rather
than
waste.
When
discharged,
still
possess
properties
that
can
be
exploited.
For
this
reason,
comprehensive
characterization
reusable
mandatory
waste
increase
material
availability.
reuse
materials,
such
as
surgical
masks,
particular
interest
giving
people
disadvantaged
contexts
opportunity
self-produce
self-install
panels
within
their
homes,
with
dual
result
improving
indoor
comfort
increasing
human
capital.
This
paper
focuses
identification
possible
second
application
for
face
masks
through
experimental
characterization.
Panels
made
were
tested
water
vapor
permeability,
thermal
conductivity,
fire
resistance
use
insulating
building
sector
discussed.
Based
results,
suitable
do
not
pose
safety
concerns,
energy
consumption
improve
when
installed
indoors.
NEW SOLUTIONS A Journal of Environmental and Occupational Health Policy,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: May 8, 2025
Mask
shortages
during
COVID-19
led
to
the
adoption
of
reusable
textile
masks;
research
into
their
performance
and
optimal
washing
conditions
can
guide
domestic
laundering
encourage
use,
decreasing
plastic
pollution.
The
study
tested
four
methods
for
cleaning
artificially
contaminated
facepieces.
These
included
nonbiological
detergent
at
30°C,
Reference
Detergent
3
(RD3)
40°C
60°C,
fortified
RD3
(sodium
perborate
+
tetraacetylethylenediamine)
40°C.
After
washing,
facepieces
were
tumble-
or
air-dried.
effectiveness
was
determined
by
measuring
bacteria
reduction
standard
plate
count,
achieving
a
target
≥99.99%
benchmark
cleanliness
requirement
(for
surgical
masks)
≤
30
CFU/g
(EN
14683:
2019).
All
met
except
30°C
washes
with
air
drying.
Oxidative
bleach
reduced
performance.
This
demonstrates
that
heavily
masks
be
effectively
decontaminated
using
machines
on
normal
wash
cycle
(40
degrees).
ACS Applied Polymer Materials,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
5(3), P. 2282 - 2288
Published: Feb. 23, 2023
The
Covid-19
crisis
has
led
to
a
massive
surge
in
the
use
of
surgical
masks
worldwide,
causing
risks
shortages
and
high
pollution.
Various
decontamination
techniques
are
currently
being
studied
reduce
these
by
allowing
reuse
masks.
In
this
study,
were
washed
up
10
times,
each
cycle
under
same
conditions.
consequences
washing
cycles
on
structure,
fiber
morphology,
surface
chemistry
have
been
through
several
characterization
techniques:
scanning
electron
microscopy,
wetting
angle
measurements,
infrared
spectroscopy,
X-ray
diffraction,
photoelectrons
spectroscopy.
process
did
not
induce
large
changes
hydrophobicity
surface,
contact
remaining
constant
throughout
cycles.
composition
observed
IR
spectrum
also
remained
unchanged
for
Some
slight
variations
during
analysis:
crystallinity
fibers
as
well
size
crystals
increases
with
number
wash
XPS
analysis
shows
that
after
cycles,
underwent
oxidation.
SEM
images,
arrangement
fibers,
which
more
visible
times
mask
washed:
they
align
themselves
bundles,
form
areas
holes
layer,
crushed
some
areas.
Coatings,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
13(5), P. 919 - 919
Published: May 14, 2023
Filter
masks
are
disposable
devices
intended
to
be
worn
in
order
reduce
exposure
potentially
harmful
foreign
agents
of
0.1–10.0
microns.
However,
perform
their
function
correctly,
these
should
replaced
after
a
few
hours
use.
Because
this,
billions
non-biodegradable
face
globally
discarded
every
month
(3
million/minute).
The
frequent
renewal
masks,
together
with
the
strong
environmental
impact
plastic-based
mask
materials,
highlights
need
find
solution
this
emerging
ecological
problem.
One
way
decrease
turnover,
and,
at
same
time,
increase
safety
level
is
make
them
able
inhibit
pathogen
proliferation
and
vitality
by
adding
antibacterial
materials
such
as
silver,
copper,
zinc,
graphene.
Among
these,
silver
copper
most
widely
used.
In
study,
aim
improving
commercial
devices’
efficacy
eco-sustainability,
Ag-based
Cu-based
treatments
were
performed
characterized
from
morphological,
compositional,
chemical–physical,
microbiological
points
view
over
time
compared
selected
products.
results
demonstrated
good
distribution
particles
onto
surface
along
almost
100%
capabilities
coatings
against
both
Gram-positive
Gram-negative
bacteria,
which
still
confirmed
even
several
washing
cycles,
thus
indicating
potential
developed
prototypes
for
application.
Buildings,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
12(10), P. 1587 - 1587
Published: Oct. 1, 2022
Reducing
the
exposure
to
airborne
contaminants,
including
bioaerosols
containing
viruses,
is
a
key
challenge
in
context
of
indoor
air
quality.
This
study
aims
assess
effectiveness
innovative
Atmospheric
Plasma
Reactor
(APR)
technology,
which
can
be
included
cleaner
devices,
as
an
engineering
control
tool
for
reducing
concentration
viable
viruses.
We
investigated
KillViDTM
APR
technology
that
uses
ultra-high
electric
fields
and
pulsed
power
plasma
directly
electroporate
living
cells
produce
advanced
oxidizing
species
situ
within
micro-droplet
aerosols
pathogens
treated.
An
experimental
setup
was
developed
order
aerosolize
high
virus
suspension
into
cleaner,
3
or
6
modules
215
atmospheric
micro-reactors.
As
surrogate,
we
used
phi11
bacteriophage
aerosolized
using
vibrating
mesh
nebulizer.
The
viability
viruses
after
single
pass
through
assessed
by
quantifying
lysis
specific
Staphylococcus
aureus
host
strain.
were
able
demonstrate
our
virucidal
results
robust
showed
5-log
reduction
(99.999%)
terms
activity
3-module
configuration,
while
observed
at
least
6-log
(from
initial
viral
load
9.25
×
105
PFU
0)
6-module
configuration.
Industria Textila,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
75(01), P. 57 - 65
Published: Feb. 27, 2024
Surgical
masks
have
been
widely
used
in
the
past
for
protection
purposes
against
infection
as
a
hygiene
product.
Masks,
which
are
often
by
healthcare
professionals,
also
general
public
during
pandemic
periods.
were
designed
various
ways
according
to
colour,
nose
strip,
earloop,
grams
per
square
meter
and
several
layers.
Some
performance
features
expected
from
these
certain
standards.
In
this
study,
it
has
studied
on
multi-layered
surgical
masks.
Thickness,
air
permeability,
bacterial
filtration
efficiency
differential
pressure
properties
of
consisting
polypropylene
spun
bond
melt-blown
layers
investigated.
The
effects
an
increase
meter,
number
layer
mentioned
determined.
As
result;
observed
that
optimal
mask
is
one
4-ply
Also,
concluded
increasing
does
not
always
provide
performance;
instead,
can
meet
expectation.
Therefore,
be
said
necessary
determine
appropriate
weight
with
suitable
raw
materials