The prevention and control of the new coronary pneumonia epidemic has become normal, and masks have become standard in daily life. However, corresponding "questions of masks" also arise, such as when the masks are taken off and when they are worn, how the masks are stored, and in particular whether disposable masks can be replaced by reusable masks.
Recently, many domestic scientific research teams and enterprises claim to develop reusable masks. How effective is the protection? Is the price close to the people? Is the market acceptable? "Xinhua Vision" reporter conducted an investigation
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Reusable masks come out
The price is higher than the same type of disposable masks
Recently, a variety of reusable masks have been introduced.
According to industry insiders, the mask is composed of three layers, the inner and outer layers are non-woven fabrics, and the middle layer is a melt-blown cloth called the "heart" of the mask. The three-layer cloth acts to block fine dust, through the principles of physical barriers and electrostatic adsorption. The role of viruses. Disinfection methods such as high temperature, alcohol, and radiation will destroy the inner structure of the meltblown cloth, causing it to lose its filtering effect, so ordinary masks cannot be reused.
The key to developing reusable masks is to find bacteriostatic materials or filter materials that can withstand traditional disinfection methods.
Yuan Jianhua, the person in charge of a company in Guangzhou, said that the company uses organosilane-treated non-woven fabric as the inner and outer layers of the mask to suppress viruses and bacteria. The mask can be used continuously and effectively for 7 days. Another product uses PTFE filter membrane, which can be sterilized by boiling water, cleaning or medical alcohol spraying without destroying the filtering effect, and can be reused for more than 7 days.
A product introduction of a "reusable nano mask" using PTFE material stated that the filtering efficiency of the PTFE nano filter membrane mask used can reach more than 96%, which has a "longer" than traditional melt-blown cloth. Service life, can withstand sterilization methods such as boiling water, alcohol, etc. "If the mask is worn normally without damage, it can be used again after disinfection."
Public information also shows that companies in Shanghai and Beijing have announced the development of reusable masks that use nano- or graphene and other materials.
It is understood that the price of many reusable masks are higher than the same type of disposable masks. For example, the price of a reusable nano mask is 60 yuan per pack of 10, an average of 6 yuan.
At present, some products have not obtained medical device-related certificates and are only sold in some supermarkets and e-commerce platforms. The reporter searched on some e-commerce platforms and found that the price of reusable masks ranges from four to five yuan to several tens of yuan.
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Can reusable masks be reliable?
The reporter found in the investigation that the quality of these reusable masks was uneven and the filtering efficiency was high or low.
A test report for a reusable mask by the Guangdong Medical Device Quality Supervision and Inspection Institute showed that after 3 days of use, some samples can still reach more than 95% in the index of bacterial filtration efficiency. A report issued by Guangzhou Inspection, Testing and Certification Group Co., Ltd. showed that the reusable mask produced by a certain company "after meeting the standard requirements" after being immersed for 10 times.
There are also some masks that need to be improved in terms of stability and technical maturity. For example, in the on-site inspection of the Medical Device Quality Supervision and Inspection Institute of Guangdong Province, there are filter materials that fall off under light rubbing, and the permeability is also poor, and it is easy to breathe for a long time. A test report also showed that the bacterial filtration effect of some samples dropped to about 82% after multiple days of use.
The reporter found that many consumers have doubts about the protective effect of such reusable masks. Mr. Wang, a citizen of Guangzhou, said: "Isn't I sure whether the reusable masks can achieve the effect declared by the manufacturer, and whether the personal disinfection operation meets the specifications?"
The reporter found in the evaluation of several reusable nano masks on an e-commerce platform that many consumers said that reusability greatly reduced the use of masks; some consumers suggested that they should be used again after rinsing with hot water. The protective effect of masks is unclear; more consumers believe that masks are expensive.
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What are the prospects for reusable masks?
In the context of the normalization of epidemic prevention, the demand for masks in my country's market will remain high.
Some people in the industry believe that in the long run, the reliance of disposable masks on the whole population is unsustainable, so it is imperative to increase the use rate of masks.
However, the relevant person in charge of the Industrial Development Division of the Guangzhou Municipal Bureau of Industry and Information Technology said that new products entering the market require long-term application verification and large capital investment. The price is relatively high, and the initial market recognition is not high, which objectively leads to production and Problems such as disconnected applications and difficulties in promoting and applying innovative products.
With the increase in the supply capacity of masks in my country, the price of disposable masks has continued to decline, and consumer demand for reusable masks has also declined, resulting in insufficient motivation for R&D.
Huang Minju, director of the Medical Materials Department of the Guangdong Medical Device Quality Supervision and Inspection Institute, suggested that R&D support for reusable masks can be increased, and relevant scientific research institutions and enterprises should be encouraged to make technological breakthroughs to improve product quality while reducing product prices to meet consumption Demand. In addition, the regulatory authorities should introduce relevant standards for reusable masks as soon as possible, so that consumers can rest assured.
Many interviewed industry insiders believe that in order to reduce the environmental pollution of waste masks, it is necessary to closely combine the treatment of civil masks with the current garbage sorting work, so that the waste masks can be properly disposed of.