Reusable
CLOTH MASK
Non-Medical masks, designed with care and attention to detail.
MULTI-LAYER COMPOSITE
Crafted in triple-layer high thread count cotton fabrics (complying with CDC guidelines) that are ideally suited for use as an effective cloth face covering.
INNER LAYER: Soft cotton for comfort and sweat absorption.
MIDDLE LAYER: High thread count cotton with thermally bonded non-woven interlining for particle and small droplet filtration.
OUTER LAYER: High thread count cotton fabric with a tight weave structure with minimal pores/gaps between the threads to keep out large droplets.
WASHABLE AND REUSABLE
The mask can be used until visual signs of damage appear due to repeated washes.
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Wash the new mask in detergent before use and clean it after each use.
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The full wash cycle (wetting, washing, and rinsing) shall be at least 30 minutes with a wash temperature of 60°C.
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Any contact between a dirty mask (to be washed) and clean clothes must be avoided.
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Perform hand hygiene after the washing process.
ABOUT THE FILTERS
We have not used any inbuilt filters as these non-woven PP filters (including the N95 filter) are made using the spunbond or melt-blown process. These air filters are not wash durable and lose their efficiency due to structural damage upon washing, they are meant to be disposed of after each use. We recommend the use of replaceable filters which can be removed before washing the cloth masks.
CLOTH MASK
EFFICACY
How effective are the cloth made mask
Yes, the cloth face masks have been effective in reducing the community spread of the virus but for this to be effective it is of the utmost importance that everyone wears a mask. All non-medical cloth coverings including ours may provide a false sense of security they don’t replace or reduce the need for other protective measures. Proper hygiene practices and social distancing are still the best methods of keeping yourself safe. Wearing a non-medical covering is to protect others from you and not the other way round. For total protection use a replaceable filter layer and make sure to achieve a very close facial fit, poor seal can lead to leakage lowering the effectiveness against the pathogen.
Disclaimer: No mask can guarantee full protection from Covid-19 as the protective efficiency depends on several criteria. Wearing a facial covering helps to contain potentially infectious respiratory droplets. That way, one can prevent unknowingly transmitting the virus to others.
Research and development by Dhatu design studio harmonize the minimum requirement applicable to best practices related to design, manufacture, performance, and reusability of a cloth mask. This is an attempt to spread awareness and provide efficient reusable masks based on studies and data available on fabric types and functionality of masks by design. The effectiveness of fabric face masks can be further enhanced with proper construction, usage: good fit & seal, and maintenance. Find more about R&D at the end of the page.
THE THREE
ESSENTIALS
Best practices for enhanced safety
FABRIC
Studies conducted on fabric types amid the SARS–CoV-2 pandemic found COTTON fabrics with specific details related to thread count, weave structure, and breathability to be most efficient for a cloth mask.
Based on the above findings, we encourage the use of 100% cotton plain weave fabrics with a soft hand-feel and compact weave structure that ensures minimal gaps between the threads.
Few examples of fabrics that must be avoided.
Knitted fabrics (T-shirt material), Loosely woven fabrics like linens, Thicker fabrics like canvas as these will not drape well, leaving gaps on the sides. Digitally printed due to the use of chemical-based inks.
MASK
FIT
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Mask fit and how it's worn drastically impact its effectiveness to reduce aerosol exposure.
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Achieve a close facial fit, adjust the head harness and nose bridge to ensure a tight fit and proper sealing around the nose, cheek, and chin.
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Make sure the face mask fits snugly and the straps fit securely over your ears or behind your head.
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Consider factors like ergonimics, breathability, and wear time.
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For example, ear loops are meant to be worn for short spans and may result in pain and irritation if your wear time exceeds a couple of hours.
HOW
IT'S WORN
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Use proper hand hygiene each time you put on, remove, or touch the surface of your face mask.
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Put on and take off the mask by holding it by the ear loops or ties, not by touching the front of the mask.
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Avoid touching the mask while it’s on your face.
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Sanitize your mask properly.
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Run your cloth mask through the washer and dryer after each use. Wash it with laundry detergent. You can also place the face mask in a paper bag and store it in a warm, dry place for 2 or more days before wearing it again.
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If you must reuse your respirator or surgical mask, isolate it in a breathable container such as a paper bag for at least 7 days. This helps ensure the virus is inactive and no longer infectious.
IMPORTANT: The facemask will have maximum effectiveness if it's worn in direct contact with bare skin.
Primary Routes of Transmission
1. Contact (Direct or Indirect) with the infected person.
2. Respiratory Droplets >5-10 μm when an infected person coughs or sneezes these droplets can travel to a distance of 1-2 meters (approx) and may stay on surfaces in the immediate environment.
3. Airborne Droplet nuclei <5μm refers to the presence of microbes within droplet nuclei, can remain in the air for long periods of time and be transmitted to others over distances greater than 1 meter. Airborne transmission may be possible in specific circumstances and settings in which procedures or support treatments that generate aerosols are performed, mostly during patient care.
Several recent studies have shown that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can be transmitted even when a person who has it doesn’t have symptoms. If you’ve contracted the virus, this can occur when you’re:
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Presymptomatic: You have the virus but haven’t developed symptoms yet.
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Asymptomatic: You have the virus but don’t develop symptoms.
One of the main benefits of wearing a cloth face mask is that it helps protect others. Remember that people who are asymptomatic or presymptomatic can still transmit SARS-CoV-2 to others when they talk, cough, or sneeze.
Recommendations
IMPORTANT: Avoid and discourage the use of a mask with exhalation valve, as it allows the exhaled air to flow out freely, this can be dangerous in case if an asymptotic carrier happens to wear these masks they would end up spreading the virus unconsciously. An exhalation valve thus defies the purpose of masking to stop the spread of the pathogen.
We highly recommend wearing a fabric mask or fabric cover over the surgical mask or respirators as this will prevent them from possible contaminations to a certain degree, thus enhancing the service life of these disposable/nonwashable PPEs.
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
Best practices related to design, manufacture, performance, and reusability.
Multi-Layer Composite
ERGONOMIC design with PROTECTIVE features.
Based on RESEARCH CONDUCTED AMID LOCKDOWN
Best practices related to design, manufacture, performance, and reusability. Our research harmonizes the minimum requirement applicable to safety cloth masks.
These guidelines and compilation of data is a result of in-depth research conducted on various websites like CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), FDA (Food and Drug Administration), WHO (World Health Organisation) and others, experts and general public suggestions and experiences shared on youtube & social media, and multiple articles published in the reliable news channels such as The Hindu and others during the emergency situation.
Most of the scientific and public data available are based on studies currently under process amid the COVID-19 scenario. These suggestions and guidelines should not be considered as scientifically proven and all the protective measures like social distancing, hand hygiene, etc. must be exercised along with wearing a face mask as directed by the government and health organizations.
The fabric mask is intended to complement protective measures and social distancing rules. It is intended for the general public and in particular any healthy or asymptomatic person. Wearing of the mask is restricted to half a day and constitutes a protective barrier against possible penetration or exhalation of the virus in/by the users from/to a nearby person. It is intended to protect the mouth and nose area against any contact with the hands.
Only limited protection against the said risk is claimed.
These masks are not personal protective equipment in the sense of Regulation EU/2016/425.
WARNING A fabric mask in no way exonerates the user form routine application of the protective measures, which are essential, and of the social distancing rules.
PURPOSE-DRIVEN
FACEMASKS
A Project Dedicated to Hope and Harmony
NO.11
WASHABLE & REUSABLE
SURGICAL MASK COVER
Dedicated to counter the shortage of surgical masks.
Designed in accordance with ease of use and functionality, this cover with fusible nonwoven interlining secures the surgical mask for coming in direct contact with large-particle droplets from outside and also helps reduce saturation by moisture created from the exhalation of the wearer. These fabric covers can be removed, washed/sanitized, and reused, providing a longer lifespan to the one time use surgical masks.
Published on 1st May 2020 https://www.instagram.com/dhatuindia/
Worldwide Shortage of PPE
The SARS–CoV-2 pandemic has contributed to shortages of both N95 and surgical masks, and cotton masks have gained interest as a substitute.
Surgical masks are not intended to be used more than once and all FDA-cleared N95 respirators are labeled as "single-use," disposable devices.
HPC_Healthcare personnel and frontline workers around the globe are forced to re-use these disposable respirators and masks. In this situation, the respirator devices have to be sanitized after every use and the surgical masks are subjected to prolonged use.
RESPIRATORY PPE TYPES
Surgical Mask
Surgical masks are not intended to be used more than once.
A disposable device that creates a physical barrier between the mouth and nose of the wearer and potential contaminants in the immediate environment. If worn properly, a surgical mask is meant to help block large-particle droplets, splashes, sprays, or splatter that may contain germs (viruses and bacteria), keeping it from reaching your mouth and nose. Surgical masks may also help reduce exposure of your saliva and respiratory secretions to others. A face mask, by design, these do not filter or block very small particles in the air that may be transmitted by coughs, sneezes, or certain medical procedures, Surgical masks also do not provide complete protection from germs and other contaminants because of the loose fit between the surface of the face mask and your face.
Disposable respirators, more commonly referred to as particulate respirators or dust masks, are sold in the half-face variety and are typically used for protection against airborne particles. Available in N, R, and P-Series with different efficiency possibilities: 95, 99, and 100.
N-Series particulate respirators are NOT resistant to oil and therefore provide protection against solid and liquid aerosol particulates that do NOT contain oil.
R-Series particulate respirators are resistant to oil, which means they provide protection against both solid and liquid aerosol particulates that may contain oil. R-series respirators, however, are only certified for up to 8 hours of service life.
P-Series particulate respirators are similar to the R-series in that they provide protection against both solid and liquid aerosol particulates that may contain oil. The service life of P-Series particulate respirators, however, is substantially longer, with NIOSH recommended disposal after 40 hours or 30 days of use, whichever comes first.
Reusable respirators, on the other hand, are available in both the half-face and full-face variety and can offer protection not only against airborne particulates but gases, fumes and vapors as well. Reusable respirators are ideal for workers who may be exposed to multiple elements.
For most reusable respirators, you will need to purchase cartridges or filters to attach to the facepiece/respirator kits.
Every reusable respirator requires the attachment of two of the following: gas & vapor cartridges, combination cartridges, filters and/or pre-filters.