Recent research published in Nature Aging finds that short-term exposure to PM2.5 particles may affect cognitive ability.
The long-term affects of exposure to airborne hazards is well-known however, this recent research suggests that the short-term dangers may be more significant than previously thought.
The study measured cognitive impact using varying levels of PM2.5 and recorded the highest impact on cognitive ability after 21 to 28 days with PM2.5 levels of 8.52 to 10.25 μg per m3.
To provide some relevancy to those levels, view our Air Quality Monitor below to see current μg per m3 levels in your area.
4C Air has developed a new BreSafe nanotechnology and is offering a face mask that provides excellent protection from PM2.5 particles in areas with high exposure. The great benefit to these masks is the amazing breathability they have while also providing a high level of filtration for the wearer.
Nanotechnology is changing the future of PPE and environmental protection.
At the forefront of this technology is 4C Air; a startup out of Silicon Valley founded by two Stanford University professors.
Professor Yi Cui; a world-leading expert in materials science, energy, and environmental technology. And Professor Steven Chu; a Nobel Prize winner and former US Secretary of Energy (2009-2013). Together, they have developed a patented nanotechnology material that’s poised to disrupt the mask and filtration industry.
The material produced is compromised of microscopic “nanofibers” which are layered to create a surface that can be used to filter extremely small particles PM2.5 and below.
The implications for this new technology are massive since the nanomedia can be used in near-limitless filtration applications.
The big benefit to this emerging tech is the extremely high filtration efficiency it achieves while allowing air the move through it-A feat that is difficult for current filtration technology to achieve because of the thickness and the type of material used.
Why is this game-changing for face masks and respirators?
Because it solves some of the biggest problems associated with wearing a mask.
What are the biggest problems with face masks and respirators?
There’s a balancing act that mask wearers have faced for years. The challenge with current mask options for both the average person and healthcare professionals is a balancing between high-filtration and comfort or breathability.
The main purpose of wearing a face mask is simple: provide protection against “things” in the air and sadly, the average cloth mask a person wears, while comfortable, does very little to actually filter airborne hazards.
On the opposite hand, those who wear high effectively filtering face pieces such as N95 respirators often have to deal with several uncomfortable side effects including:
Restriction to breathing
Dermatitis due to lack of airflow on area worn
Difficulties understanding speech.
These are just a few. Masks that are very breathable and comfortable are most likely to have poor filtration.
Increasing filtration efficacy is usually done by increasing the amount of filtration material which makes the mask more dense causing the issues mentioned above.
4C Air is hoping to change this and has created a new type of face mask using nanotechnology that bridges the gap between high levels of filtration and comfort.
To really appreciated how this new technology will benefit mask wearers, it’s best to look at the pros and cons for different types of masks that are available today.
The Pros and Cons of different mask and respirator categories.
There are several categories of masks available to both healthcare professionals and individuals. Let’s take a look at the different types and how their filtration and breathability and comfort compare.
Cloth & Homemade Masks
PROS
Allows for large variety of patterns, colors, styles
Protects against large droplets, coughs, sneezes
Washable and reusable
Can be more eco-friendly (organic/recycled cotton, silk, wool)
Comfortable to wear
CONS
Low filtration efficacy (based on material can range from 1%-60%)
Reusability (washing degrades filtration efficacy by wearing down fibers and creating gaps)
Can increase dermatitis (moisture gets trapped in material harboring more bacteria)
Cloth Mask Filtration Tip: Layer with another mask to increase filtration and overall protection. Check out our article on how to potentially increase filtration for various mask materials using static electricity.
Surgical Masks (US Standard ASTM1 - ATSM3)
PROS
Inexpensive
Good Fluid Protection against large droplets, coughs, sneezes
Good breathability
Comfortable
Certified protection grades
CONS
Poor Seal Fit (results in lower air particle filtration effacacy)
Not recommend for PM 2.5 protection
One-time usage
Mouth contact-creates bacterial buildup in mask
NIOSH Respirators (US Standard N95 -N99)
PROS
Excellent fine particle and airborne hazard filtration
Certified protection grades
CONS
Requires Fit Testing
Only recommended for Healthcare providers
Can have difficulty breathing
Often uncomfortable
Can cause skin issues
FPP Respirators (EU Standard FPP1 - FPP3)
PROS
Great fine particle and airborne hazard filtration
Certified protection grades
CONS
Primarily purchased and used in Europe
Can have difficulty breathing
Can cause skin issues
KN95 Face Masks (China & Korean Standard GB2626 - 2019)
PROS
Great fine particle and airborne hazard filtration
Certified protection grades
CONS
Potential fakes
Can have difficulty breathing
Can cause skin issues
4C Air Nanotechnology Masks
PROS
KN95 certified filtration higher
Great pm2.5 fine particle and airborne hazard filtration
Using nanotechnology developed at Stanford University, 4C Air has developed a new kids face mask with unparalleled breathability and filtration.
What are the biggest problems with kids face masks?
Two big issues with children’s face masks are the lack of fine particle filtration and issues with breathability. Masks that offer higher filtration come with the price of increased breathing restriction.
Researchers at 4C Air are using a patented new nanomaterial to create the next generation of airborne protection for children that can help solve both these problems.
The new nano masks, labeled “AireTrust Nano Mask for Kids”, are able to provide filtration similar to, and in some cases better, than that of a N95 respirators without the heavy breathing restriction.
4C Air also happens to be a filtration testing center who aided the World Health Organization during the pandemic to test masks and respirators to NPPTL and NIOSH standards. Normal N95 respirators are required to filter at least 95% of particles using 42 CFR part 83 testing.
4C Air has tested their children’s mask against these standards and found their masks averaged 99.4% initial filtration efficiency.
Kids Nano Mask testing results using 42 CFR part 83 testing methods.
This breakthrough in filtration technology is achieved through the use of incredibly small nanofibers which layer to block super fine particles PM2.5 and below.
4C Air nanomaterial under microscope.
This innovative material is advantageous for two main reasons; it provides less air restriction during breathing and allows for greater airborne protection compared to the majority of masks for kids on the market today.
4C Air mask next to a US Quarter.
Why are these masks a big deal for parents?
The CDC recommends that children 2 years of age and older should wear a mask so when most parents look for a kids mask they find lots options, however very few provide a great deal fine particle protection.
Cloth and homemade masks are the most common mask used for children today. These materials are easily available but offer limited protection from airborne hazards.
Cloth simply doesn’t filter much when it comes to finer (PM2.5) airborne particles.
In fact, 4C Air researchers participated with the CDC, NIOSH, and others to provide research that tested popular homemade mask materials to see if their filtration efficacy could be improved (the study can be found here).
While some homemade materials performed better than others, they all fell short of the ideal N95 level.
Common cloth mask.
4C Air saw this as an opportunity to use their innovative nanomaterial to provide a better filtration option for children’s masks.
A big concern for parents is the restriction in breathing that comes with higher-filtering masks who are worried about their child’s breathing ability. This concern also leads to an opposition in mask wearing for children in general.
This is where the AireTrust Nano Mask from 4C Air provides a big advantage. The incredibly thin design allows for easier breathing while provided enhanced protection.
4C Air’s AireTrust Nano Mask for Kids
Not only does the mask provide protection for the most dangerous PM2.5 airborne particles, but the adjustable band allows for an improved fit around the breathing area for the smaller faces.
Children wearing 4C Air Nano Masks
The masks are currently recommended for children ages 3 and up and are offered in 5, 10, or 25 per box. They have an impression 3 year shelf-life making them an ideal candidate when it comes to selecting the best face mask for your child.
Many companies and organizations shifted objectives during the pandemic and focused assisting healthcare personnel with needed PPE that was in short supply.
While hospitals and other frontline workers were receiving N95 respirators, KN95 face masks, and other high-filtration equipment, the general public was advised to use alternatives face masks.
4C Air researchers, with the aid of other prominent scientists at the CDC, Stanford University, and others, focused on providing research into homemade masks and materials advised for use by the general public.
The full study, published in Nano Letters, ranks multiple types of mask materials by measuring their filtration under various circumstances.
A few interesting things were discovered producing extremely curious results.
The team tested a method called the triboelectric effect to see if it improved filtration efficacy.
The Triboelectric Effect involves using simple static electricity to place a charge on a material. .
The results were extremely curious. Some common household mask materials decreased filtration while others improved.
You can read more about the findings of the study using link below:
