Face Masks and Respirators in the Fight Against the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Review of Current Materials, Advances and Future Perspectives

Abstract

The outbreak of COVID-19 has spread rapidly across the globe, greatly affecting how humans as a whole interact, work and go about their daily life. One of the key pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) that is being utilised to return to the norm is the face mask or respirator. In this review we aim to examine face masks and respirators, looking at the current materials in use and possible future innovations that will enhance their protection against SARS-CoV-2. Previous studies concluded that cotton, natural silk and chiffon could provide above 50% efficiency. In addition, it was found that cotton quilt with a highly tangled fibrous nature provides efficient filtration in the small particle size range. Novel designs by employing various filter materials such as nanofibres, silver nanoparticles, and nano-webs on the filter surfaces to induce antimicrobial properties are also discussed in detail. Modification of N95/N99 masks to provide additional filtration of air and to deactivate the pathogens using various technologies such as low- temperature plasma is reviewed. Legislative guidelines for selecting and wearing facial protection are also discussed. The feasibility of reusing these masks will be examined as well as a discussion on the modelling of mask use and the impact wearing them can have. The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) models and its applications to minimise or prevent the spread of the virus using face masks and respirators is also addressed. It is concluded that a significant amount of research is required for the development of highly efficient, reusable, anti-viral and thermally regulated face masks and respirators.

Contact dermatitis due to masks and respirators during COVID ‐19 pandemic: What we should know and what we should do

“…Masks, including both medical masks and respirators, can help prevent the spread of infectious agents from infected individuals by providing an immediate barrier between the respiratory organs and the surrounding environment 1 . The effectiveness of a medical mask or a respirator is determined by fit (how well the mask or respirator prevents the leakage around the face piece) and the filtration efficiency (how well the mask filters particles in a specific size range) 1 …”

“…Respirators are tight‐fitting, high‐performance filtering masks available as disposable, half face or full face. They are more effective than medical masks, as they are designed to create a facial seal 1 . In Europe, the categories of respirators can be classified as filtering half masks (filtering face pieces [FFPs]), half masks, powered air‐purifying respirator and atmosphere‐supplying respirator.…”

“…In Europe, the categories of respirators can be classified as filtering half masks (filtering face pieces [FFPs]), half masks, powered air‐purifying respirator and atmosphere‐supplying respirator. According to the European standards, FFPs are further divided into FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3, with an efficiency of 80%, 94% and 99%, respectively 1 . In the United States, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) determines the filtration efficiency of these respirators and they are classified into N‐, R‐ and P‐ series for not oil resistant, somewhat oil‐resistant and strongly resistant, respectively.…”

A review on coronavirus survivability on material’s surfaces: present research scenarios, technologies and future directions

“…Coatings for the antiviral face mask. Face mask plays an important role in restricting the pathogens from reaching the respiratory system via nose or mouth and thus, minimize the transmission of diseases [113]. As directed by WHO, wearing a face mask in public (along with social distancing) is the most effective and easy means to prevent the transmission of the COVID-19 disease.…”

The Physiological Impact of Masking Is Insignificant and Should Not Preclude Routine Use During Daily Activities, Exercise, and Rehabilitation

“…Amidst discussions on resource allocation, masking requirements remain controversial and vary by region. Widespread implementation of their use has been demonstrated in multiple validated predictive models to significantly decrease transmission of COVID-19 and reduce mortality rates, 4 but there remains a significant lack of high-quality evidence to support universal masking. 5 The estimated benefit of masking is thought to result from reduction in viral particle transmission by the wearer, thus being particularly important in asymptomatic individuals.…”