Study: Dry heat can be used to disinfect N95 masks
Since the onset of the pandemic, many hospitals have faced a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as N95 masks. As a result, researchers have started evaluating the impact of various methods of decontamination on how well masks filter out viral particles — all in a bid to allow Read More...
This zombie escape room prepared clinicians for the pandemic
Back in 2019, the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System began running escape room simulations to teach clinicians about the importance of personal protective equipment (PPE) and infection-halting measures in a highly infectious medical setting. Organizers Kristy Causey and Grace Boseman created Read More...
Researchers recycle discarded face masks to make stronger road material
In addition to a global health crisis, the pandemic has also exacerbated our toxic relationship with plastic, with millions of single-use face masks and gloves ending up in the environment daily. There are some ways, however, we can mitigate this new form of pollution. Recently, we shared a Read More...
This project is turning PPE waste scraps into bedrolls for those in need
Since the start of the pandemic last year, the landscape of waste has changed significantly, with the production of personal protective equipment (PPE) like masks and gloves creating a common source of waste in virtually all parts of the world. Well aware of the issue, Indian fashion designer Read More...
These effective face masks are made with abaca leaf fibers
Rather than make masks from plastic-derived materials, a company in the Philippines has turned to abaca leaf fibers. As reported by Bloomberg, abaca is as strong as polyester, but unlike polyester, it can decompose in just two months. The fiber is commonly used in the Philippines to make things Read More...
Discarded face masks could be turned into biofuel to produce energy
While the pandemic has benefitted the environment in some ways, it has also brought about an unprecedented problem: the overwhelming number of single-use, non-recyclable personal protective equipment (PPE) leaking into the environment. Concerned about how these single-use masks and gloves can be Read More...
Scientists created a textile that makes viruses slide right off the fabric
Masks and gowns are crucial to protect health workers from the spread of viruses, but they only do so much. Germs can still latch onto the material that protective equipment is made of, and diseases can spread when people touch the masks or touch their gowns. What if, like water sliding off a Read More...
Philanthropic vending machines to distribute free face masks in Hong Kong
Like many other nations, Hong Kong advised its citizens from early in the COVID-19 crisis to wear face masks when they need to go out in public, as a means of ensuring safety for both themselves and those around them. But due to the current shortage and high prices of these PPEs, many disadvantaged Read More...