Antiviral face mask functionalized with solidified hand soap: low-cost infection prevention clothing against enveloped viruses such as SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

Infection prevention clothing is becoming an essential protective tool in the current pandemic, especially because now we know that SARS-CoV-2 can easily infect humans in poorly ventilated indoor spaces. However, commercial infection prevention clothing is made of fabrics that are not capable of inactivating the virus. Therefore, viral infections of symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals wearing protective clothing such as masks can occur through aerosol transmission or by contact with the contaminated surfaces of the masks, which are suspected as an increasing source of highly infectious biological waste. Herein, we report an easy fabrication method of a novel antiviral non-woven fabric containing polymer filaments that were coated with solidified hand soap. This extra protective fabric is capable of inactivating enveloped viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 and phi 6 in one minute of contact. In this study, this antiviral fabric was used to fabricate an antiviral face mask and did not show any cytotoxic effect in human keratinocyte HaCaT cells. Furthermore, this antiviral non-woven fabric could be used for the fabrication of other infection prevention clothing such as caps, scrubs, shirts, trousers, disposable gowns, overalls, hoods, aprons, and shoe covers. Therefore, this low-cost technology could provide a wide range of infection protective tools to combat COVID-19 and future pandemics in developed and underdeveloped countries.

Protective Face Masks: Current Status and Future Trends

“…206 Intriguingly, a recent study described the production of a face mask using a nonwoven fabric functionalized with solidified hand soap and capable of inactivating enveloped viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 and phage phi 6 within 1 min of contact. 159 This low-cost technology could also be used to fabricate other infection prevention clothing, such as caps, scrubs, shirts, trousers, disposable gowns, overalls, hoods, aprons, and shoe covers, to combat COVID-19 and future pandemics in developed and underdeveloped countries.…”

“…150 In addition, very recently, an antiviral lowcost technology using solidified hand soap to produce antiviral fabrics for infection prevention clothing showed no cytotoxic effects in human keratinocyte HaCaT cells. 159 However, the toxicity of face mask fabrics developed using antimicrobial polymers, salts, quaternary ammonium compounds, or nanomaterials has not been reported yet (see Table 2). Several tests carried out in independent laboratories using good laboratory practices to study the toxicity of copper oxide particles in N95 respiratory masks showed that the amount of copper eluted into the air from the test mask under simulated breathing conditions after 5 h was far below the permissible respiratory copper-exposure limit set by the American Occupational Safety and Health Administration.…”

Disinfection and decontamination in the context of SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific data

“…Concentrations of ethanol ranging from 40% to 80% show strong antiviral properties whether for surfaces or for skin. 49,72,75,77,[158][159][160][161][162][163][164][165][166][167][168] Exposure in vitro to 70% ethanol results in rapid reduction of virus as early as 15-30 s. 154 Concentrations less than 30%, although having some effect, are limited for the rapidity of virucidal effects. 158,162 Isopropanol has generally been assessed at 70% vol/vol unless in combinations with ethanol.…”

“…159 The impregnation of apparel with surfactants has also attracted attention. 163 As previously suggested, there is better appreciation for any such products through an open designation of pH, working dilution, temperature for use, and full product constituent disclosure. 1,83 It must also be considered whether, for these products or others, there may be a residual antiviral effect that persists after application and that has the potential for prolonged prevention.…”

“…Ethanol and propanol have been studied the most and likely due to the need for developing safe and effective hand disinfectants. Concentrations of ethanol ranging from 40% to 80% show strong antiviral properties whether for surfaces or for skin 49,72,75,77,158–168 . Exposure in vitro to 70% ethanol results in rapid reduction of virus as early as 15–30 s 154 .…”