Face Masks to Combat Coronavirus (COVID-19)—Processing, Roles, Requirements, Efficacy, Risk and Sustainability

Abstract

Increasingly prevalent respiratory infectious diseases (e.g., COVID-19) have posed severe threats to public health. Viruses including coronavirus, influenza, and so on can cause respiratory infections. A pandemic may potentially emerge owing to the worldwide spread of the virus through persistent human-to-human transmission. However, transmission pathways may vary; respiratory droplets or airborne virus-carrying particles can have a key role in transmitting infections to humans. In conjunction with social distancing, hand cleanliness, and other preventative measures, the use of face masks is considered to be another scientific approach to combat ubiquitous coronavirus. Different types of face masks are produced using a range of materials (e.g., polypropylene, polyacrylonitrile, polycarbonate, polyurethane, polystyrene, polyester and polyethylene) and manufacturing techniques (woven, knitted, and non-woven) that provide different levels of protection to the users. However, the efficacy and proper disposal/management of the used face masks, particularly the ones made of non-biodegradable polymers, pose great environmental concerns. This review compiles the recent advancements of face masks, covering their requirements, materials and techniques used, efficacy, challenges, risks, and sustainability towards further enhancement of the quality and performance of face masks.

Antimicrobial Biomaterial on Sutures, Bandages and Face Masks with Potential for Infection Control

“…Recycling mitigates the economic burden for the end user, as well as the production and waste disposal processes [ 73 ]. An increasing number of investigations on antimicrobial materials showcase different approaches for sustainable, re-usable or even biodegradable face masks [ 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 ]. Cinnamic acid and its derivatives are increasingly used to design novel antimicrobial biomaterials within polymeric matrices [ 80 , 81 , 82 ].…”

Electrospun nanofibers for medical face mask with protection capabilities against viruses: State of the art and perspective for industrial scale-up

“…2 c). With regards to the EN 149:2001, these respirators are classified as filtering half masks (i.e., Filtering Face Pieces (FFP)) and are divided in three different types, namely FFP1, FFP2, and FFP3, depending on the filtration efficiency values, for both PFE and BFE, equal to 80%, 94%, and 99%, respectively [44] , [45] , [46] ( Table 1 ). In addition to the filtration performance, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), in the USA, also adopts a classification by letter, namely N-, R-, and P-, to indicate the lack of resistance in oil, somewhat oil resistant, and strongly resistant, respectively.…”

Tannic-Acid-Enriched Poly(vinyl alcohol) Nanofibrous Membrane as a UV-Shie lding and Antibacterial Face Mask Filter Material

“…In addition, face masks have been widely used to protect users from particulate matter (PM) pollution arising from industrialization and urbanization, especially because small PM particles can cause lung cancer and cardiovascular disease . Crucially, face masks should remove PM particles, fit snugly over the user’s nose and mouth, and not restrict breathing . Nanofibrous membranes (NFMs) are composed of uniform ultrafine fibers and have high porosity, making them a promising material for air filtration .…”