#Analysis #CUMasks
Safety concerns regarding CUMasks provided by the Hong Kong government
On 8 May 2020, Professor Wallace Leung from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University questioned the safety of CUMasks distributed for free by the Hong Kong government. One issue is the copper layer of the mask, which the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) touted as having microbial properties that would "immobilize bacteria and common viruses". After repeated washes, however, Professor Leung worried that the copper nanoparticles (NPs) may diminish adhesion to the fabric and risk inhalation.
//These studies demonstrated the efficacy of copper NPs and its compounds as a safe antimicrobial barrier are questionable. A few key pieces of information are necessary to determine if the CUMask's copper layer will at least do no harm:
(1) What is the size and chemical nature of NPs in the copper layer?
(2) Its protective and filtration layers separate the copper layer from the wearer's face. What size of particles can pass through those layers?
(3) If the virus and other NPs are properly filtered, will the protective and filtration layers chemically react with the NPs?//
Full translation:
https://telegra.ph/Safety-concerns-regarding-CUMasks-provided-by-the-Hong-Kong-government-05-22
Sources: Apple Daily
HKRITA video on Technology behind CUMask
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9mbUUnqquM
ASTM Standards : F2299, F2100
Cu Nanoparticle: Synthesis, Characterization and Application (2019)
Organ burden and pulmonary toxicity of nano-sized copper (II) oxide particles after short-term inhalation exposure (2016)
Effects of copper nanoparticle exposure on host defense in a murine pulmonary infection model (2011)
Copper oxide (CuO) loaded polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofiber membranes for antimicrobial breath mask applications (2019)
Further Reading:
Guide to Face Mask Selection and Use (ASTM Levels)
https://healthcentricadvisors.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/3_MaskEnomics_Poster_2012.pdf
#CopperMasks
Safety concerns regarding CUMasks provided by the Hong Kong government
On 8 May 2020, Professor Wallace Leung from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University questioned the safety of CUMasks distributed for free by the Hong Kong government. One issue is the copper layer of the mask, which the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) touted as having microbial properties that would "immobilize bacteria and common viruses". After repeated washes, however, Professor Leung worried that the copper nanoparticles (NPs) may diminish adhesion to the fabric and risk inhalation.
//These studies demonstrated the efficacy of copper NPs and its compounds as a safe antimicrobial barrier are questionable. A few key pieces of information are necessary to determine if the CUMask's copper layer will at least do no harm:
(1) What is the size and chemical nature of NPs in the copper layer?
(2) Its protective and filtration layers separate the copper layer from the wearer's face. What size of particles can pass through those layers?
(3) If the virus and other NPs are properly filtered, will the protective and filtration layers chemically react with the NPs?//
Full translation:
https://telegra.ph/Safety-concerns-regarding-CUMasks-provided-by-the-Hong-Kong-government-05-22
Sources: Apple Daily
HKRITA video on Technology behind CUMask
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9mbUUnqquM
ASTM Standards : F2299, F2100
Cu Nanoparticle: Synthesis, Characterization and Application (2019)
Organ burden and pulmonary toxicity of nano-sized copper (II) oxide particles after short-term inhalation exposure (2016)
Effects of copper nanoparticle exposure on host defense in a murine pulmonary infection model (2011)
Copper oxide (CuO) loaded polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofiber membranes for antimicrobial breath mask applications (2019)
Further Reading:
Guide to Face Mask Selection and Use (ASTM Levels)
https://healthcentricadvisors.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/3_MaskEnomics_Poster_2012.pdf
#CopperMasks
Telegraph
Safety concerns regarding CUMasks provided by the Hong Kong government
On 8 May 2020, Professor Wallace Leung from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University questioned the safety of CUMasks distributed for free by the Hong Kong government. One issue is the copper layer of the mask, which…