After COVID-19, several researchers are using nanomaterials to fabricate the antiviral/antibacterial masks. The use of nanomaterials can even harm more than viruses or bacterias. Leaching out of nanomaterials through skin contact and inhalation during respiration can severely damage human health. Before COVID-19, antiviral masks were developed by a Japanese company, in which they incorporated the Ag-nano-particles grown on micro-sized fumed silica. Ag-modified silica particles were then dispersed in the polymer matrix, which is electrospun to get a highly breathable membrane. Such membrane/fabric structure provides physical blockage of the virus, along with its rapid degradation by exposed Ag@silica composite. This membrane is used on the outer side of the mask, so that leaching in the skin can be avoided. In addition, there is back support of the additional nano-fibers film to avoid the inhalation through respiration. Alongside, the micro-support of silica and its embedding in polymer makes it almost impossible to pollute the environment. Despite this much safety, such an antiviral mask idea is not implemented in many countries, for example, South Korea.
Additionally, the cost of such masks is a big concern..... as electrospinning has limited productivity. similarly, the cost of nano-materials itself is a bottleneck at gram scale.
Safety concerns of nanomaterials should be ensured before the launch of any product. The mechanism of N95 mask is still the best and most guaranteed for the protective applications.
In addition, I would like to suggest if someone wants to explore the nano-materials for the mask, then materials like Activated charcoal (AC) etc can be used. It is biocompatible and antiviral activity is due to high surface charge, same as N95 mask. most importantly, it is an extremely low-cost and sustainable material.
Please suggest further recommendations, if you are from a similar area.
Best Regards
Mumtaz Ali
Dear all, regarding the risks that nanoparticles present, its direct use is a Big adventure, I think the existing masks are doing their job and they are available with good mass production. Most métal based nanoparticle even used under the permissible dose, they are accumulated in the body, and their deleterious effect is just delayed. My Regards
Hi,
Recent studies on the biological effects of silver nanoparticles indicate unanticipated toxicity to living organisms and the potential for adverse effects on human health. Given their size, nanoparticles are believed to be able to cross biological barriers (nasal, bronchial, alveolar...) and migrate to different sites in the body. It has been shown that ultrafine particles trigger an inflammatory response in the organs where they accumulate, resulting in the production of free radicals. Inflammation, a normal physiological defense mechanism against aggression (microbial, physical, chemical), can lead to various pathologies when it is no longer controlled: chronic bronchitis, fibrosis, even lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurodegeneration.
Masks using activated carbon filters with "PM2.5" written on them too often try to pretend to be what they are not. Because many products of this type attest that they are "anti-virus masks", whereas PM2.5 means that the mask will not be able to filter particles smaller than 2.5µm and that viruses are much smaller (0.1µm in the case of coronavirus, which is considered to be a rather large virus). These masks are neither more nor less than anti-pollution or anti-dust masks. They were never created with the aim of filtering viruses, even though many models try to take advantage of the current crisis by claiming the opposite.
With my best regards
Hi Mumtaz Ali
Silver is known to have strong antimicrobial activity against bacteria, viruses, fungi, and so on.
Some researchers proposed to evaluate the antiviral properties of these nanomaterials. These nanomaterials will be applied as coatings on facemasks to protect the wearer from accidental contamination from Covid-19 virus droplets.
For more details, go here:
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/antiviral-nano-coatings-to-be-upscaled-for-making-masks/articleshow/75324732.cms
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