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We provide translation of news in English from local media and other sources, for academic use.
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Timetable of Government’s decisions and Share price of CIG

Source: HKCNews
#CuMasks
Cu Mask 3/3: What kind of copper particles are used?

Editorial note: Among the 4 raw material suppliers, the Israel company Argaman Technologies Ltd is the only one that possesses the Cotton X technology with no mention of the nano-copper particles or micro-copper particles in their official website. Argaman Technologies produces their own version of Copper mask under the patent name BioBlocX™ Masks that are available for direct online orders for retail use. Nothing described at Argaman nor Cotton X’s websites resemble the version of the explanations provided by HKRITA. In fact, Argaman Technologies never mentioned anything about copper particles and whether the copper particles are nano or micron size.

HKRITA tries to clarify ‘public misunderstanding’ of nano-copper particles and micro copper particles surrounding the CuMasks. They reported that the CuMasks contain micro copper particles with a diameter of more than 1 micron, which is more than 1000 times larger than a nano-copper particle. HKRITA emphasises that there are three additional filtering layers embedded in the Cu Masks that can effectively filtered out any particles that are larger than 0.1 micron. Therefore, there is no concern of breathing in the micro-copper particles. HKRITA also stated that the Cu Masks do not contain any nano-copper particles.

Source: HKCNews

#CopperMask #CopperParticle #ArgamanTechnologiesLtd #CuMasks
#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