At a glance…
○ Destroys 99.99% Covid-19 virus within 1 minute
○ ATSM Level 3-rated surgical mask
○ FDA-cleared antiviral technology
○ Kills 99.99% of 15 flu virus strains within 5 minutes
○ Patented 5-layer design
Face Masks and COVID-19
In our fight against the spread of Covid-19, wearing a face mask is an indisputable first line of defence. But with options ranging from cloth, surgical and medical, to even 5-ply and anti-viral, how does one go about selecting the best face mask for the ultimate protection against the pandemic?
A useful starting point in shopping for the optimal mask is by keeping updated on Covid mask guidelines, as disseminated by reputable sources of information — such as Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH), or World Health Organisation (WHO). For example, the MOH has recently advised that mask-wearing is still “critical” even as the community is being vaccinated.
In addition, the ministry has updated its recommendations “for all members of the public to use masks with good filtration capabilities, such as those having at least a 95 per cent bacterial filtration efficiency – including both single-use or reusable masks.”
Why? Unfortunately, all viruses — Covid-19 included — mutate over time, especially when they have been widely circulated in communities. According to Finance Minister Lawrence Wong, “There is growing evidence that new variants can spread through aerosolised particles, which means that all the precautions we are used to may not be sufficient to safeguard against the spread of the virus, and we need even more stringent measures.”
Just as how the coronavirus has evolved, we too have to adapt our measures of protection to ensure the safety of ourselves and our families.
Now, with the new B.1.617.2 variant showing to be more transmissible in preliminary studies, according to the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) group in the UK, and new waves of the outbreak prevalent in many parts of the world, the use of an active-protection technology mask is more crucial than ever before.
How to tell if you have the right face mask?
While most standard masks boast a bacterial filtration efficiency of up to 99.99 per cent, according to the Nelson Laboratory Test (NLT), this generally applies to bacteria that are larger than 3.0 +/- 0.3 microns in size. Furthermore, even if the airborne viral particles are trapped on the surface of a traditional mask, these particles may still be spread upon contact — such as when the user touches the mask upon removal.
A safer alternative during such uncertain times would be the world’s only FDA-cleared antiviral mask — RespoKare. This patented technology is the first of its kind on the market, and it has received not only approval, but a distinguished classification by the FDA — “surgical mask with antimicrobial/antiviral agent”.
What makes the RespoKare truly “antiviral”?
First, the outer layer of the RespoKare mask is coated with a special hydrophilic layer, a permeable membrane that ensures thorough absorption of the virus into the anti-viral layer. Nothing remains on the surface, and every particle is trapped.
This is important because masks could themselves become contaminated, and touched by hands or other items. Furthermore, masks could be contaminated by environmental Covid-19 through touch, such as when a user adjusts their mask and transfers viral particles from their hands to the face covering.
Next, the patented anti-viral layer achieves a complete destruction of the virus with the use of copper and zinc ions, a breakthrough technology that completely deactivates the virus.
Demand for proper testing
While there may be several masks on the market that claim to be “antiviral”, they often have the ability to simply filter a percentage of water droplets or aerosols dispersed when we breathe, talk or cough. Instead, more innovative masks like RespoKare are armed with a network of antiviral agents that literally kills deadly viruses upon contact.
Consumers should also verify that claims made by makers of masks are indeed legitimate. After months of rigorous testing, the Respokare mask has shown to maintain unparalleled performance. When exposed to surrogate coronaviruses, like SARS and MERS, the mask achieves a 99.9 per cent inactivation of viral particles within one minute. Furthermore, RespoKare employs the US patented 4-layer Innonix anti-viral technology, which inactivates up to 99.9 per cent of flu viruses and other airborne health hazards. It appears that the fight against Covid-19 is going to be an ongoing challenge. But we have the power to take important steps in protecting ourselves, bolstered by the best that cutting-edge science has to offer, one mask at a time.
Photo byViktor Forgacs on Unsplash