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| 1.
What is filtration efficiency? |
Filtration efficiency
is the measurement of a filters capacity to remove particulates,
such as virus and bacterium, from air as it
flows through the filter.
Filtration efficiency is stated as a percentage of efficiency and
is affected by such factors as size of the
particulates to be filtered,
volume of air and duration of use. An N-95 rated mask, for example,
is 95% efficient at removing particles
with a median diameter of
approximately 0.3 microns at a volume of 85 liters per minute.
Duration of use is a critical factor because
virus and bacterium
can infest the filter for extended periods of time. Bacteria can
reproduce on their own while virus can survive
for days before
infecting a living host. Virus and bacterium can also move through
filters over time resulting in an erosion of
filtration efficiency
and increase in the associated risk factors. |
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| 2. What is
the filtration efficiency of the NanoMask? |
The filtration efficiency
of the filter material used in the NanoMask is 99%. We enhance
this intrinsic filtration efficiency with a
coating of nano-particles.
The nano-particles counteract the ability of pathogens to live
and/or reproduce on the filter by eradicating
virus and bacterium
that come into contact with the filter surface. |
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| 3. How do the
nano-particles work? |
Nano-particles act
as a destructive agent on the surface of the filter. The particles
are positively or negatively charged and
effectively break down
the microbial structure of pathogens coming into contact with the
filter. |
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| 4. How often
do you have to replace the filters? |
| The active life of
the nano-particles is approximately 48 continuous hours. We are
recommending replacement at that time. |
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| 5. What is
the shelf life of the filter? |
| The shelf life is
currently two years. We will continue to adjust shelf life as we
are able to test aged inventory for efficacy. |
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| 6. Have the
filters been tested by a reputable testing facility? |
Yes, the filters
are tested at Nelson Laboratories in Salt Lake City, UT. Nelson
Labs has provided high quality test services to
manufacturers in
the medical device, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries
since 1985. They manage a 62,000 sq. ft. FDA
registered facility
in Salt Lake City, UT where they maintain 80 labs along with a
custom-built 3,000 sq. ft. cleanroom and employ
over 170 scientists
and staff. Among their more than 75 degreed scientists are over
25 registered and specialist microbiologists
(National Registry
of Microbiologists). They currently offer more than 400 microbiological
and analytical tests and are third-party
certified to ISO 9001
(BSI) and EN 45001/IEC/ISO 17025 standards accredited (AMTAC). |
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| 7. Has the
NanoMask been approved by NIOSH? |
The NanoMask is
not yet validated by NIOSH. It was important to validate our nano-particle
enhanced filter against bacterial and
viral contaminates and NIOSH
was not able to provide this biological validation. They currently
test against a challenge of sodium
chloride which is not able to
measure the effectiveness of the nano-particle enhancement. We
are developing the nano-particle
technology in conjunction with
the U.S. Military and sodium chloride testing was not sufficient
for our purposes. We are registered
with NIOSH and intend to submit
the mask for certification in the near future but found it necessary
to validate the bacterial and
viral efficacies of the technology
prior to a submission to NIOSH. Please refer to the ‘NIOSH
Testing” PDF posted in our web site
for a more detailed explanation. |
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| 8. Does the
NanoMask fit small children? |
The NanoMask is
currently available only in an adult size. We are developing a
children’s size and hope to have it available by
late November. |
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| 9. How do
you disinfect the NanoMask? |
| NIOSH recommends
the following for cleaning and sanitation: |
• Remove
and properly dispose of the filter.
• Wash the frame in warm (43°C/110°F maximum) water with
a mild
detergent.
• Rinse the mask thoroughly in clean, warm (43°C/110°F maximum),
preferably running water.
• If the detergent used does not contain a disinfecting agent immerse the
mask for two minutes in a disinfectant water solution such
as: |
• Quaternary
ammonia disinfectant (one packet per 2 gallons or per manufacturer's
recommendation).
• Hypochlorite solution (50 ppm of chlorine) made by
adding approximately 2 ml of laundry bleach to 1 liter of water at 43°C/110°F.
• Aqueous solution of iodine (50 ppm of iodine) made
by adding approximately 0.8 ml of tincture of iodine (approximately
7% ammonium and potassium iodide, 45% alcohol,
and 48% water) to 1 liter of water at 43°C/110°F.
• Other commercially available cleansers of equivalent disinfectant
quality when used as directed. |
• Rinse components thoroughly
in clean, warm (43°C/110°F maximum), preferably running
water. The importance of thorough
rinsing cannot be overemphasized. Detergents or disinfectants that dry
on the frame may result in dermatitis. In addition, some
disinfectants may cause deterioration of rubber if not completely
removed.
• Allow the respirator to air dry in a non-contaminated environment. |
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