Food-grade silicone mask a more sustainable solution

As the world continues to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, mask wearing has become the norm whenever we leave our homes or interact with strangers. [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32889402/]

Mask wearing not only protects against SARS-CoV-2 but also against all the other airborne pathogens, in particular other coronaviruses. Masks used to be reserved for healthcare workers and those exposed to air pollution, but the pandemic has caused an explosion in the use of disposable masks which come with its own issues, namely pollution.

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) estimates sales of disposable masks totaled almost US$166 billion in 2020, compared to US$800 million in 2019—a staggering increase in mask consumption. [https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/07/1069151] Furthermore, a face mask is said to release 173,000 microfibres per day which affect water, air quality, and wildlife, and can enter lungs and bloodstream. Mask pollution, therefore, is a problem that needs to be addressed before it gets out of hand.

A Malaysian company has come up with a solution for the problem of single-use mask in the form of a food-grade silicone mask. The mask is reusable and does not cause allergies even after prolonged contact with facial skin. Called AiruFlo®, the Medical Devices Authority (MDA)-approved mask can be washed with soap and water and reused many times.

According to the product fact sheet, the mask’s silicone body is “smooth and transparent, making it highly comfortable when used.” The claim to sustainability comes in the forms of washable and reusable mask and replaceable N95 grade filters that remove 95 percent of particles and dust with a diameter of 0.3 µm. As silicone is soft and malleable, the mask creates a perfect seal to ensure air passes through only the filter and not the sides of the mask. 

Cofounder of AiruFlo, Vince Koay said the proliferation of various mask types in the market catering to various niche markets was troublesome, so his team came up with a design that checked multiple boxes—fashionable, highly breathable, sustainable, and less harmful to the environment. Koay noted that the transparency of the mask also allowed for better communication between people; while facial expressions can be seen, visual cues can help those with hearing impairment communicate.

Fellow cofounder MC Leong said there was also fear of counterfeit and misleading products out there and that many face masks “do not actually meet the safety and quality standards.” These issues, he said, were not being addressed sufficiently. Therefore, he and Koay wanted to ensure transparency by providing consumers with all the information about AiruFlo.

Here are additional facts about the mask:
1) How much is the mask?
 RM88.00

2) How much are the filters? 
RM15.00 for an additional five pairs of filters.

3) What is the recommended period of use for each N95 filter?

The filter is recommended for up to 8 hours of single use,. but its shelf life can be extended for up to 14 days depending on the frequency of use, whether it was used in a low-dust environment, and how they have been storing or handling their masks.

4) Can it be used for sports?
The mask can be used for sports but as with all face masks, it depends on the user’s comfort level because sporting activities involve a high level of physical exertion which usually results in situations like rapid condensation due to perspiration.