Coronavirus Technology Solutions
August 26, 2020
NAS Airborne Virus Conference Provided Good Background Information Valved Masks Should Play a Bigger Role Ahlstorm-Munksjo has New Medical Fabric to Protect Against Pathogens American Elite Molding will be Making Meltblowns By Next Month Branford Castle Partners Purchases Fibrix Filtration American Airlines will be Applying Long Lasting Decontamination Fluid ____________________________________________________________________________ NAS Airborne Virus Conference Provided Good Background Information The two day NAS conference on the significance of airborne virus started today. In general it supported the growing evidence that much of the transmission is airborne. Small droplets have higher percentages of virus than do large droplets and there are more small droplets than were originally thought. The virtual conference included presenters from the U.S. and Australia and participants from around the world. There were hundreds of written questions and some good but brief discussions. The conclusion to be reached from this session is that the focus should be protection from airborne viruses. The airborne viruses can emanate not only directly but indirectly. One example was the flexing of fabric from clothing or wipes which had been sprayed with virus. Large numbers of particles were released from this movement. Given this statement McIlvaine submitted a written question which was not answered. If the flexing of virus laden fabric generates virus aerosols, what about the flexing of a cloth mask with each breath. In the case of the mask there is turbulent air flow in addition to flexing. The presenters cited the difficulty in quantifying the virus activity in the lungs. It is easy to access the nasal passages but there are lots of unknowns about virus aerosol formation and movement in the lungs. Linsey Marr discussed the chemistry of viral droplets and pointed out that surfactants comprise a small portion along with proteins. The McIlvaine question would be what impact the surfactants have on aerosol formation from cough droplets landing on the interior of the cloth mask. As the large droplet starts to evaporate the percentage of surfactants will increase relative to water vapor. Will this potential reduction in surface tension lead to the formation of smaller droplets? There was some discussion of the rheology on how droplets flow or deform under an applied force such as coughing. This information should be helpful in understanding the rheology of large droplets captured on inefficient mask and filter media. The afternoon speakers today are listed below.
An article in Salon magazine this month points out the advantages of valved masks. It quotes CDC recommending them for healthcare workers not involved in surgery or situations where they are likely to infect others. CDC cites the comfort advantages. The Salon authors point out that over 600 versions of valved masks have been recommended by CDC. The sudden about shift by CDC seems contradictory and may have been influenced by initiatives by others such as Delta Airlines which has banned valved masks while not banning inefficient non valved masks. In the NAS workshop the panelists stated that the use of masks and reduction of COVID was not linear. The reduction in COVID would be greater as masks were more widely worn. But the workshop presenters were also emphasizing the larger percentage of aerosol generated COVID. They discussed aerosol generation from surfaces. So there are lots of ways the virus becomes airborne. The wearing of cloth masks is unlikely to make a big reduction in the amount of COVID. On the other hand if large numbers of people wore efficient masks to protect themselves there would be a substantial reduction. Linsey Marr in the workshop today used the example of both transmitter and recipient wearing 50% efficient masks. She pointed out that the recipient would inhale only 25% of the load. But let’s take the example where both transmitter and recipient are wearing 95% efficient valved masks. Even though the transmitter emits 100% the recipient only inhales 5% or one fifth the amount in the Marr example. So efficient valved masks are better than inefficient non valved masks. Many millions of people around the world wear efficient valved masks to protect themselves against indoor and outdoor air pollutants. The masks they buy are comfortable enough that they can be worn for long periods. The main value cited for inefficient cloth masks is the prevention of cough and sneeze transmission on people nearby. The bigger risk is the airborne viruses which are transmitted over longer distances and for which cloth masks are not a protection. One compromise solution would be valved masks with a lock position. When an individual is within six feet of others he keeps his mask in the locked position. For most of the day the valve is in an unlocked position where he can be made both safe and comfortable. Saliva testing is likely to provide inexpensive self-testing. For those who are availing themselves of these daily tests the risk of infecting others when wearing a valved mask is minimal. At the same time the high efficiency is the protection needed against contracting the virus. The Salon article an be found at
Ahlstrom-Munksjö announces the launch of TrustShield Biological, a personal protective apparel medical fabric designed to shield against hazardous pathogens. American Elite Molding, a manufacturer of cable ties, announces the start-up of a new company to address the dire need for U.S.-manufactured materials for the personal protective equipment market in the U.S. The new company, American Elite Personal Protective Equipment (American Elite PPE), will begin production of meltblown polypropylene, the critical filter medium used in medical grade face masks and gowns, in early September 2020.
Branford Castle Partners, LP, a New York City-based private equity firm, announced that its affiliate has purchased Fibrix Filtration, a leading provider of specialized high loft and pleat media air filtration products. The company sells its products to many of the large, brand name filter manufacturers throughout the United States. Branford is teaming up with existing management including CEO Keith White, who is one of the current owners and who will be investing in the transaction as well. This investment represents the first transaction for Branford Castle Fund II, which had a first close in late 2019. "We are excited about the Fibrix opportunity and believe the company is well-positioned to grow through a number of organic initiatives under the direction of its excellent management team," says Branford senior associate, Ceon Francis. "We are especially pleased to work on this investment with Byline Sponsor Finance, a division of Byline Bank, which is providing senior debt financing, and Brookside Mezzanine Partners, which is providing mezzanine debt financing." American Airlines is upgrading its Clean Commitment by adding the electrostatic spraying solution SurfaceWise®2 from Allied BioScience to its multitiered cleaning and safety program in the coming months. The SurfaceWise2 solution is the first-ever long-lasting product to help fight the spread of the novel coronavirus that is approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). “The American Airlines Clean Commitment is our promise that we’re taking bold measures and using the latest products and technology to help ensure our customers’ well-being when they travel with us,” said David Seymour, American’s Chief Operating Officer. “Thanks to rigorous evaluations conducted by the experienced professionals at the EPA, the American Airlines team and Allied BioScience, our multitiered program will become even stronger at safeguarding our customers and team members from virus such as coronavirus and the flu.” “SurfaceWise2’s long-lasting defense provides a layer of protection against viruses not offered by any other solutions on the market,” said Maha El-Sayed, PhD, Allied BioScience Chief Science Officer. We look forward to also seeing SurfaceWise2 used in offices, schools, gymnasiums and other high-traffic areas to support the nation in safely reopening.” In the coming months, American will begin using SurfaceWise2 for electrostatic spraying on surfaces inside its aircraft with plans to use the product throughout its entire fleet, including those in its American Eagle regional partners. Other elements of the airline’s multitiered Clean Commitment, include enhanced aircraft cleaning performed before every mainline flight and an even deeper overnight cleaning. “SurfaceWise2 creates an invisible barrier on surfaces, which physically breaks down and kills virus cells,” said Dr. Charles Gerba, a leading infectious disease expert. “This helps protect passengers and crew members against the transmission of coronavirus via surfaces, particularly on high-touch areas such as seats, armrests, tray tables and overhead bin doors.” |