Performance of masks and discussion of the inactivation of SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

Meltblown (MB) microfiber fabrics after electrostatically charging are used as the filtering piece in medical masks and N95 respirators. Using this material, the required filtration efficiencies (FE) of bacteria, virus, and submicron particles are satisfactorily met mainly by the electrostatic attraction of the particles on the fiber surface by the charges embedded in the fibers at a low pressure drop (DP) with high breathability across the mask. The masks are initially manufactured for a disposable one-time use. However, if there is a shortage, inactivation of the virus on the contaminated masks to reuse is possible. Several inactivation methods are discussed in terms of their efficacy to kill the virus and the integrity of the mask in terms of loss of FE and the deformation of the respirators. In this paper, SARS CoV-2 and COVID-19 are used interchangeably.