Since yesterday, it is possible to obtain antiviral and antibacterial masks capable of neutralizing covid-19 and its variants as soon as they come into contact with the mask. They reduce viral load by 99.9% in less than 5 minutes.
These masks were made by the company BioSerenity based in Troyes, which has been producing masks since the start of the epidemic. App, this mask with double filtering and decontaminating action was designed by Inserm in collaboration with two laboratories of the University of Lille. Compliant with filtration standards and certified as medical devices, these masks are primarily intended for healthcare workers and patients with Covid-19 in hospitals.
Excellence in research #ULille and its partners (@CHU_Lille , @InsermNordOuest & @CNRS_HdF) is illustrated in the design of the #mask#virucid@SereniteProtect
To know more: https://t.co/OXJihhBQTe
– University of Lille (@univ_lille) February 16, 2021
Surgical masks and FFP2 masks
The advantage of the process developed by the Lille researchers is that it makes the filtering layer of masks, made up of very fine fibers, virucid without deteriorating its filtering properties. One of the four layers of the masks contains a molecule, cyclodextrin, on which an antiviral and antibacterial agent can be attached, which ends up as “caged”. This additional step in the manufacture of masks does not require specific production equipment, and easily adapts to large industrial volumes. This is why the virucidal layer could be integrated in surgical masks and FFP2.
As the researchers explain, on the University of Lille website, “it is in fact an evolution of a process already patented in 2011 by the teams. The project which was at the origin was initiated during the H1N1 epidemic of 2009, but had not led to industrialization for lack of a partner, and following the human toll of this fortunately limited pandemic “.
Is there a risk with the virucidal agent? The quantity of virucidal agent being more than one hundred times lower than the legal toxicity thresholds, and the treated layer not being in contact with the face or with the outside, these masks can be worn in complete safety.
What is the cost of these masks? The BioSerenity surgical mask is sold € 0.44 per unit and the FFP2 type mask is sold € 1.49. For now, it is only sold in large quantities on the company website. But these masks will soon be distributed in pharmacies for the general public.
Read also :
- Category 1, 2, fabric masks: which one to wear at school, in business
- Covid-19: humidity inside masks is a good thing
