Mask Decisions will be Shaped by in a Multi-Step Process

Mask Use to Continue After the Pandemic

Expanding the Amount of Filter Area with  Origami Designs

ICS will have an ASTM F3502 / Seal Mark

Premium PPE Makes 30 Million Masks per Month

MHI Applying Chemicals and UV Light for Virus Inactivation

B&V Rolls Out Module for Virus Vaccinations and Testing

Air Quality Engineering Supplies Portable HEPA Filter Units and Overhead HEPAs for Work Stations

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Mask Decisions will be Shaped by in a Multi-Step Process

The new ASTM standards in the U.S. and public mask standards in Europe are a great first step for mask selection but need to be incorporated into a  multi-step process. The ultimate decisions by purchasers are likely to be made by ratings from magazines such as Consumer Reports.

The magazine rates sun tan lotions not just on the protection factor appearing on the bottle but with a combination of factors which are more reflective of the protection.

Will a mass publication such as Consumer Reports be able to rate masks with similar insight?   Earlier this month Consumers Reports was anticipating the ASTM standards and raising the mask leakage as a major concern. The takeaway is that if mass media are presented with the best insights their advice to readers will be reflective.

There are minimum safety standards for cars. However, safety ratings provided by the media and experts make safety a major purchasing factor even though all cars meet the minimums. Masks like cars affect health and life. So most people will be swayed by reliable mask safety ratings.  The challenge for the mask industry is to create a dependable mask selection process and then make sure it is made available.

There are a number of steps in the process.

Multi-Step Mask Selection Process

Test Methods

ASTM and EU Public Mask Standards are based on tests which have widespread acceptance. ASTM has made a great contribution by stipulating tried and true test methods. The ASTM standards are based primarily on particulate efficiency and resistance. These tests alone will go a long way toward eliminating masks which are ineffective. However, there is still much to be done on test methods. 

1.      Particulate Efficiency: Coronavirus is a 0.1 micron particle generally transmitted in a droplet. That droplet captured on the interior of a mask will evaporate or split. So the initial capture is only part of the story.

2.      Resistance: The resistance increases by the square of the air velocity. Two variables needing consideration are the amount of mask filter area and the breath volume of the wearer. The concern about a 5 mm H20 limit on resistance is addressed just by adding a little more filter area.

3.      Fit: Air leakage can exceed 50% in actual conditions of wear. On the other hand custom fitted N95 masks have almost no leakage when tested initially but there is no assurance that an individual will wear it properly.

Surgical masks have large amounts of leakage but with an external brace may reduce leakage to less than 10%. Virus inhalation = particulate inefficiency plus leakage. There is a concern about a particulate efficiency reduction of a few %. That same percent of leakage is just as important.

Fit tests for the public can include use of mobile phone apps which analyze pictures.  They can use other remote camera inspections by experts. Novel qualitative tests with perfume, lights, pressure etc. all need to be investigated.

4.       Quality Control: Eurofins, SGS, Bureau Veritas, UL, and others are active worldwide and can provide quality control seals based on the ability to inspect manufacturing  operations around the globe.    

Standards

The ASTM standards are a big step forward but as new test methods are developed the standards will need to be changed. Also there is a need for international uniformity in standards. The use of the standards by government organizations such as OSHA is critical.

Knowledge Creation

There is a great deal of information about masks being generated in research papers, magazines, supplier news releases etc. The challenge is to turn information into knowledge. Associations, conference organizers, and publishers can all play a role. INDA is an association which holds relevant conferences and publishes two magazines which contribute to creating knowledge on the subject.

Coronavirus Mask Decisions includes the daily information with some conversion to knowledge.   Several search engines provide an information gathering function. Webinars further provide the knowledge conversion. An intelligence system provides an organized approach to knowledge creation.

Suppliers of masks, media, components, and services should bear the main responsibility for knowledge conversion. White papers are needed. But the willingness to debate is also important.

Expert Determinations

Once information has been converted to knowledge experts can draw meaningful conclusions. For example in the CMD intelligence system there are extensive analyses and reports commissioned by Vogmask who has five mask sizes and is continuing to improve mask fit. This knowledge can be the basis of a conclusion about the effectiveness of Vogmask versus a mask with fewer sizes, less performance testing, and quality control.

Those organizations involved with quality control seals can expand their role. Alternatively consulting organizations can provide high level comparisons. They also have the opportunity to make these determinations for a complete safe bubble for which the mask is only one component.

Dissemination of Conclusions

The suppliers, associations, and industry media need to make sure that the appropriate conclusions are provided to the main stream media and to user groups. It is also necessary that the appropriate conclusions be conveyed to governmental organizations. Consider the power of a conclusion presented to a city that the mask efficiency and restaurant occupancy rate together provide a risk factor. So 25% occupancy with the typical 25% effective cloth mask provides the same risk as a 90% effective mask and 90% occupancy.

The ASTM standards are a good start toward a multi-step mask selection process which will save countless lives while creating a huge industry.

 

Mask Use to Continue After the Pandemic

Masks may become a mainstay after the pandemic to help keep both viruses and pollution at bay. While masking is already part of daily life in other countries, that hadn’t been the case for the United States. But a recent National Geographic and Morning Consult poll signaled a shifting attitude in the U.S. toward masking up. Some 63 percent of 2,200 American adults said they would continue to always or sometimes wear a mask while running errands post-pandemic. A similar number, around 64 percent, said they would turn to masks to fend off air pollution. And 67 percent said they would mask up during flu season.

 

Expanding the Amount of Filter Area with  Origami Designs

The new ASTM standards specify the display of the resistance of the mask material. But this is based on a specified velocity through the material. The more relevant velocity is based on the amount breathed by an individual and the amount of filterable material. If the individual has lower breath volume or if the amount of material is greater then the resistance will be lower.

Richard Gordon, the founder and CEO of Air99 LLC. is one of a growing number of mask designers who see the promise of better fit, function, and even fashion in the ancient art of origami.

The folds of the Airgami mask make it easier to breathe by dramatically increasing the amount of surface area for air to pass through. Unfolded, the filter is two to three times as large as common N95s.

Finding the right material is just the first step of crafting an effective mask. “It doesn’t matter how good the filter is if you don’t have a good fit,” says John Volckens of Colorado State University, who led an intensive testing effort to document the filtration efficiencies for an array of materials.

When improperly designed or worn, masks can have gaps around the nose or cheeks, allowing entry and exit points for potentially virus-laden particles to flow—and closing these gaps is where origami truly shines.

Origami techniques are already central to many masks on the market today, Volckens notes. 3M’s VFlex, for example, combines folding with heat welding to hold the material together, creating a more comfortable version of an N95. 

Another solution for holding a crease is creating an outer skeleton of stiff material. Air99's Airgami mask, for example, is made of a flexible N95-grade filter fused with a more rigid and foldable layer. Since the outer structure doesn't allow air to pass through, it's punched with holes so air can reach the filter layer. 

We need better face masks—and origami might help (nationalgeographic.com)

ICS will have an ASTM F3502 / Seal Mark

Mr. Dale  Pfriem, CEO of  ICS advised us yesterday that his company will be initiating its Seal Mark program (traditionally used for sports eyewear products, etc. as respiratory devices must be either CE or NIOSH certified) to the new ASTM F3502 standard. “We’ve been testing respiratory protective devices for over 25 years so we trust our mark will go to support the new standards mission to convey confidence to the market”.

ICS Laboratories is a leading source for accredited third-party conformity assessment of respiratory protective equipment. ICS tests respirators, filters, cartridges and their many associated devices and accessories to a wide range of US (NIOSH), European (EN) and Australian (AS/NZS) standards. Their capabilities are extensive and range from disposable half-mask filtering face piece respirators to specialized equipment designed to protect against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear respiratory hazards (CBRN).

ICS Laboratories’ scope of accreditation offers the most extensive coverage of respirator test protocols published by the CDC of any independent conformity assessment body. ICS is accredited to perform over 75 NIOSH standard test procedures, spanning the complete range of respiratory protective devices (FFP/N95, APR, PAPR, SAR, SCBA and SCSR).  Their test reports are accepted by NIOSH as pre-submittal performance data. Pre-submittal test results are required by NIOSH as part of their approval process for respiratory PPE intended to be marketed, sold, or distributed in the US for occupational use.

ICS Labs’ expertise in this area offers its clients endorsed test reports containing reliable data and results for globally relevant standard test method and performance requirements for respiratory protection.

Premium PPE Makes 30 Million Masks per Month

Premium-PPE in Virginia Beach has invested  $5.3 million to expand and meet increased demand. That also means new jobs in the resort city. Brent Dille is commercial director and has years of expertise in the filtration industry. We talked to him today and learned that he is moving forward to create the American Mask Manufacturers Association . He promised to provide the details when the organization launches its website.  Premium PPE has become a significant mask supplier. 

The CEO of Premium-PPE, a manufacturer of AmeriShield branded masks, Vitali Servutas says like many, they were caught off guard with COVID-19.

He says when they tried to order masks, they had a hard time getting them.

“We couldn’t buy anything in the United States. We have contacts overseas in China and we started importing them and it was very difficult,” said Servutas. That’s when one of his partners suggested they make their own in Virginia Beach. They were able to find a machine and, with their engineering background, got to work. He says the operation started in a small room. Now there’s an entire warehouse full of machines.

“We were seven employees in the early days and now we’re over 250. So we’re adding more and more people every week we’re running three shifts as well,” Servutas explained. Now, they make 1.2 million masks per day up from 750,000 masks a day prior to the expansion.

More details on their operation can be obtained from Brent Dille at 412- 401-2134. His email is brent@premium-ppe.com

MHI Applying Chemicals and UV Light for Virus Inactivation

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Thermal Systems, Ltd. (MHI Thermal Systems), a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) Group, has confirmed its latest technology has the ability to remove and inactivate the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) by enzyme-urea formulation processing technology or irradiation by UV-C LED (ultraviolet-C light-emitting diode).

Holding the potential to remove and inactivate airborne viruses with a unique air filter trapping innovation. The results show the ability to control the novel coronavirus by air purification – marking a significant step towards MHI Thermal Systems tackling the worldwide pandemic with its expert technology. Tests also confirm efficacy in removing and inactivating traces of the coronavirus through commissioned research from the Satoshi Omura Memorial Institute of Kitasato University, led by Professor Kazauhiko Katayama. MHI Thermal Systems will continue the commissioned research to validate the effectiveness of its latest developments further, before launching to its worldwide markets.  

As of February 10, 2021, the number of SARS-CoV-2 cases in Japan exceeds 400,000. The country, like much of the world, is currently facing its third wave of infections. To tackle the worldwide pandemic, MHI Thermal Systems has undertaken research on removing and inactivating the airborne virus from in its room air-conditioning systems, to help curb indoor contaminations. Given the social urgency of the matter, the Company is conducting research with experts from the Satoshi Omura Memorial Institute of Kitasato University.

MHI Thermal Systems’ enzyme-urea formulation has properties that fight bacteria, viruses and allergens, with validated efficacy against viruses such as influenza and polio. Under joint research with Kitasato University using tens of thousands of SARS-CoV-2 particles. Results confirm that almost all cells completely inactivate with the virus inactivation agent (urea and enzyme) contained in the MHI dust-collecting air filter. The tests further indicate that viral particles reduce almost entirely with an average inactivation rate of 60-minutes.   

The UV-C LED has proven effectiveness against microbial contamination. To verify claims, scientists spread liquid holding tens of thousands of SARS-CoV-2 particles on a resin plate under a UV-C LED light. While performing the experiments in an airtight device for increased accuracy and control of the testing surface. The results confirm a high efficacy of inactivation　and the ability to inactivate a significant percentage of the virus. 

Having now confirmed the efficiency of its technology against the novel coronavirus, going forward MHI Thermal Systems will continue its collaboration with Professor Katayama’s research group. The partnership will work to increase the effectiveness and evidence towards MHI Thermal System products removing and inactivating airborne viruses. 

In the years ahead, MHI Thermal Systems will continue to make social contributions through the ongoing development of technologies to fight bacteria and viruses, both during the current COVID pandemic and in the coming post-COVID era.

 

B&V Rolls Out Module for Virus Vaccinations and Testing

Black & Veatch has introduced  its Rapid Modular Health System (RaMHS) – a quickly deployable, scalable and comfortable enclosure designed for COVID-19 testing and vaccinations – that has been named a finalist for the Edison Award for pandemic-related solutions.

Black & Veatch’s advancement in the “COVID-19 Innovations: Mobilizing for Emergency Response” award comes as rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations accelerates across the United States, with RaMHS units answering the call as a versatile option to deliver inoculations.

Initially conceived as sites for controlled coronavirus testing and other diagnostic purposes outside of buildings like hospital emergency rooms and urgent care clinics where contamination risk was greatest, RaMHS units utilize intermodal containers transformed into windowed modules in various sizes and configurations. Weather-resistant, climate-controlled and lockable, the units come ready for electrical hookups and can be outfitted with the latest in COVID response technology from a variety of partners. Additional development has resulted in the deployment of Black & Veatch’s “RaMHS Mobile Clinics,” which provide all the features of the modular solutions with the added mobility of a vehicle.

Easily installed, uniquely adaptable and operational within days, RaMHS solutions can be quickly daisy-chained to meet community and regional demands. In tandem with use of personal protective equipment (PPE), this design can reduce exposure risks. RaMHS also is a hub where PPE can be disinfected and data can be harvested and analyzed to record and measure where patients have been.

Among the highest accolades a product can receive in the name of innovation success, the Edison Awards – to be announced in April – recognize and honor some of the world’s most-innovative new products, services and business leaders, propelling the drive for creativity and ingenuity. The yearly honors personify the persistence and excellence of the awards’ namesake, prolific innovator Thomas Edison. Finalists for the honors are deemed “best of the best” by the world’s top senior business leaders, academics and innovators.

“We proudly view our finalist status for this Edison Award as a reflection that with RaMHS, we’re at the forefront of technical and physical innovations at a time when the world most needs it,” said Dave Johnson, the RaMHS solutions team leader at Black & Veatch. “For more than a century as a global infrastructure leader, Black & Veatch has vast experience in pathogen-tracking methods and the construction of biological safety-related facilities. Our development of RaMHS is an extension of that push for solutions that matter.”

“In a year when everyone was forced to change their daily routines, it’s amazing how many companies responded by innovating new solutions that make consumers’ lives safer, healthier and more productive,” Edison Universe Executive Director Frank Bonafilia said. 

RaMHS solutions give schools, health-care sites, office parks, government locations, commercial and industrial businesses, and retail locations the peace of mind of having a reliable, affordable coronavirus testing place within days.

Air Quality Engineering Supplies Portable HEPA Filter Units and Overhead HEPAs for Work Stations

Among other measures for enhanced air filtration, the CDC suggests use of portable HEPA air cleaners in the COVID-19 engineering controls for ventilation section of the pertinent guidelines for office buildings. An ASHRAE position document is also linked by the CDC, suggesting the same exposure control use of portable HEPA air cleaners as well. In addition, the scientific literature states “Portable HEPA filter systems have been shown to be another effective tool in reducing viral load”.

Air Quality Engineering, Inc. produces the hospital grade HEPA portable filtration units referenced by the CDC, other authoritative organizations and in the scientific literature. Our portable units use proven hospital grade HEPA filtration to remove potentially harmful microscopic particles. There are no ozone emissions such as those units associated with bipolar and needlepoint ionization. Their true HEPA filtration units:

 

·         Improve the air quality in your office space.

·         Improve the patient waiting room experience.

·         Give the students in your school the clean air they deserve.

·         Give the workers in your plant spaces the clean air they deserve.

Enhance indoor air quality with the PM400 – Provides TRUE hospital grade HEPA filtration. The PM400 maximizes the amount of air flowing through the large HEPA filter while maintaining an optimal air-to-cloth ratio for best filter life.

Durable and rugged, the PM400 is ideal for commercial and institutional environments and is even suitable in some industrial uses. The PM400 is so versatile it is often used in residential settings on lower speeds when real commercial grade true HEPA filtration is desired. Multiple units can be used for larger areas.

M 1600

The new M1600 is designed to address the employee works station in the industrial workplace for air quality enhancement during the pandemic. Also suitable for office areas, the new M1600’s unique air flow pattern creates a clean air zone. The air overhead the workstation is filtered and re-directed to create a comfortable, gentle, clean airflow for employees. The clean airflow created by the new M1600 reduces cooling requirements by providing vertical airflow at the workstation. This eliminates the need for spot cooling with fans that move air horizontally across to other employees, thus limiting unnecessary exposures. Of course, the M1600 filters out the present industrial particulate contaminates as well.