Face masks and nanotechnology: Keep the blue side up

Palmieri, Valentina; Maio, Flavio De; Spirito, M.; Papi, Massimiliano

doi:10.1016/j.nantod.2021.101077

Cited by 88 publications

(60 citation statements)

References 49 publications

(58 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The emergence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the resultant coronavirus infectious disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has prompted the ubiquitous use of face masks (Clase et al, 2020;Feng et al, 2020;Sommerstein et al, 2020;Sunjaya and Jenkins, 2020;Palmieri et al, 2021) to curb transmission in clinical, public, and working contexts. A global shortage of medical-grade masks such as N95 masks has resulted in the widespread use of cloth masks, including woven cotton masks, to reduce airborne transmission (Clase et al, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Graphene nanoplatelet and graphene oxide functionalization of face mask materials inhibits infectivity of trapped SARS-CoV-2

et al. 2021

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Recent advancements in bidimensional nanoparticles production such as Graphene (G) and Graphene oxide (GO) have the potential to meet the need for highly functional personal protective equipment (PPE) against SARS-CoV-2 infection. The ability of G and GO to interact with microorganisms provides an opportunity to develop engineered textiles for use in PPE and limit the spread of COVID-19. PPE in current use in high-risk settings for COVID transmission provide only a physical barrier that decreases infection likelihood and does not inactivate the virus. Here, we show that virus pre-incubation with soluble GO inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection of VERO cells. Furthermore, when G/GO functionalized polyurethane or cotton were in contact SARS-CoV-2, the infectivity of the fabric was nearly completely inhibited. The findings presented here constitute an important innovative nanomaterial-based strategy to significantly increase PPE efficacy in protection against the SARS-CoV-2 virus that may implement water filtration, air purification, and diagnostics methods.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Graphene nanoplatelet and graphene oxide functionalization of face mask materials inhibits infectivity of trapped SARS-CoV-2

et al. 2021

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Given renewed interest in new technologies for PPE, we expect options and availability for reusable respirators to continue to expand. 15 We believe our study as well as others will increase public awareness of the environmental impact of disposable PPE, particularly masks. 31 68 In order to improve hospital system accountability over medical waste, however, we may need to turn to policymakers to consider nationwide incentives such as subsidies to transition to reusable PPE, taxes to offset medical waste generation, and other incentives as has been used to promote transition to green technologies in other fields.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 66%

“…10 12 The Pneumask project, for example, which repurposes snorkel masks, has already distributed more than 23 000 masks internationally. [12][13][14][15] Other types of reusable masks that aim to address barriers to communication, such as the Jelli M1 mask 16 and ClearMask, have recently been developed. 17 Potential benefits of reusable respirators compared with disposable respirators could include reduced cost and waste.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…38 Average length of stay for patients admitted to the ICU 3.3 days 38 Median length of stay for non-ICU COVID-19 patients 10.1 days 40 Median length of stay for COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU 10.5 days 40 Number of respirators required per day for interactions with general ward patients 8 34Number of respirators required per day for interactions with ICU patients 14(12)(13)(14)(15)(16) …”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Thinking green: modelling respirator reuse strategies to reduce cost and waste

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

ObjectivesTo compare the impact of respirator extended use and reuse strategies with regard to cost and sustainability during the COVID-19 pandemic.DesignCost analysis.SettingUSA.ParticipantsAll healthcare workers within the USA.InterventionsNot applicable.Main outcome measuresA model was developed to estimate usage, costs and waste incurred by several respirator usage strategies over the first 6 months of the pandemic in the USA. This model assumed universal masking of all healthcare workers. Estimates were taken from the literature, government databases and commercially available data from approved vendors.ResultsA new N95 respirator per patient encounter would require 7.41 billion respirators, cost $6.38 billion and generate 84.0 million kg of waste in the USA over 6 months. One respirator per day per healthcare worker would require 3.29 billion respirators, cost $2.83 billion and generate 37.22 million kg of waste. Decontamination by ultraviolet germicidal irradiation would require 1.64 billion respirators, cost $1.41 billion and accumulate 18.61 million kg of waste. H2O2 vapour decontamination would require 1.15 billion respirators, cost $1.65 billion and produce 13.03 million kg of waste. One reusable respirator with daily disposable filters would require 18 million respirators, cost $1.24 billion and generate 15.73 million kg of waste. Pairing a reusable respirator with H2O2 vapour-decontaminated filters would reduce cost to $831 million and generate 1.58 million kg of waste. The use of one surgical mask per healthcare worker per day would require 3.29 billion masks, cost $460 million and generate 27.92 million kg of waste.ConclusionsDecontamination and reusable respirator-based strategies decreased the number of respirators used, costs and waste generated compared with single-use or daily extended-use of disposable respirators. Future development of low-cost,simple technologies to enable respirator and/or filter decontamination is needed to further minimise the economic and environmental costs of masks.

show abstract

“…The application of nanofibers in facemasks for separation of PMs or dangerous virus containing aerosols are well established, and it is beyond an iota of doubt. However, the long-term effects of nanomaterial incorporation on such PPEs, both in terms of wearer safety and environmental impact after recycling or reuse, are of particular concern [ 121 ]. Although the possibility of inhalation of micro-debris of meltblown product-based facemasks (<3 μm sized fibers) leading to cardiac issues, inflammation, respiratory irritation, and stress can pose significant difficulties to wearers and have been studied elsewhere [ 122 ], carefully designed sandwiched middle layer of nanofibers may not lead to such deteriorating health effect.…”

Section: Ultrafine Pvdf Nanofibers For Pm Removalmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ultrafine PVDF Nanofibers for Filtration of Air-Borne Particulate Matters: A Comprehensive Review

Sanyal

Sinha-Ray

2021

Polymers

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The ongoing global pandemic has bestowed high priority uponthe separation of air-borne particulate matters (PMs), aerosols, etc. using nonwoven fibrous materials, especially for face masks as a means of personal protection. Although spunbond or meltblown nonwoven materials are amongst the forerunners for polymer microfiber-based face mask or air filter development in mass scale, relatively new process of nonwoven manufacturing such as electrospinning is gaining a lot of momentum amongst the filter membrane manufacturers for its scalability of nanofiber-based filter membrane fabrication. There are several nanofiber-based face masks developing industries, which claim a very high efficiency in filtration of particulate matters (PM0.1–10) as well as other aerosols for their products. Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), which is commonly known for its use of tactile sensors and energy harvesters, due to its piezoelectric property, is slowly gaining popularity among researchers and developers as an air filter material. Electrospun PVDF nanofibers can be as fine as 50 nm in mass scale, which allows the membrane to have large surface area compared to its volume, enhancing nanofiber–PM interaction. At the same time, the breathability index can be improved through these PVDF nanofiber membranes due to their architectural uniqueness that promotes slip flow around the fibers. The conductive nature of PVDF makes it advantageous as a promising electret filter allowing better capturing of ultrafine particles. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of such PVDF nanofiber-based filter membranes and their roles in air filtration, especially its application in filtrate of air-borne PMs.

show abstract

Face masks and nanotechnology: Keep the blue side up

Cited by 88 publications

References 49 publications

Graphene nanoplatelet and graphene oxide functionalization of face mask materials inhibits infectivity of trapped SARS-CoV-2

Graphene nanoplatelet and graphene oxide functionalization of face mask materials inhibits infectivity of trapped SARS-CoV-2

Thinking green: modelling respirator reuse strategies to reduce cost and waste

Ultrafine PVDF Nanofibers for Filtration of Air-Borne Particulate Matters: A Comprehensive Review

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About