Novel face mask design for source control of viruses as a low-tech tool to enhance social distancing

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

This project is a proof of concept to study the efficacy of a new type of mask for community-based source control. If efficacy can be established, this form of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) will be a new tool for enhancing social distancing and helping to get people back to work in a safe way. We will reframe the requirements analysis for source control PPE, validate emerging approaches, and assess various materials and design approaches.The goal is to assess a new type of mask (face gaiter) and compare it to existing masks for suitability as source control for non-medical purposes, to meet government guidelines and the physical requirements of extended work hours, job duties, and related social interaction. The face gaiter resembles existing sport face coverings but is engineered specifically for source control. It is also durable, machine washable and can be reused hundreds of times.One objective is to modernise the tools for source control; currently there is a reliance on masks designed for medical or hazardous materials environments, which may or may not be suitable for use by the general public over extended periods of time. Another objective is to help evolve reviews of source control options towards UK and international rating systems.The project addresses a long-standing need surfaced by the COVID-19 pandemic. Source control has been used to reduce the transmission rate of bacteria and viruses, such as when sick patients present to hospital. Surgical masks may be issued for source control to a symptomatic patient and to those accompanying the patient to account for asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic cases. A key deficiency in such masks is the quality of the seal where the mask meets the face: the masks are poor-fitting; do not accommodate facial hair; lay in close proximity to the mouth; and have low breathability. Taken together, expelled air can escape around the sides of the mask and reduce the effectiveness of this type of source control. All of these issues are addressed by the novel design of the face gaiter.When surgical masks are in short supply then a reusable alternative is advantageous. A source control tool suitable for extended use and re-use is timely due to the COVID-19 outbreak and it can support the Government's recovery from the pandemic by limiting the transmission of infection, e.g. in the delivery of essential services and more generally once restrictions on movement start to lift.The proof of concept for a novel source control mask conducted under the original project was successful. The research team designed, tested, and manufactured a re-usable face covering that lets a wearer safely breathe whilst containing potential hazards and minimising leakage. Under the extension, the research team will carry out tests focused on the protection provided to the wearer by this novel type of face mask. These tests will evaluate the performance of the mask to protect the wearer from small aerosols within the environment. The test will be carried out on full masks fitted on a breathing mannequin to capture the total performance of the solution. Testing of FFP2 masks, surgical masks, traditional neck gaiters and new “half-face” cloth masks will provide useful comparisons and help reinforce the benefits of this novel design. Tests for extended durability will be conducted to determine performance after many wash-and-tumble-dry cycles. A summary of the project’s extensive knowledgebase will then be created to support efforts to standardise the design parameters for non-medical face coverings.