Antiviral face masks help through electrostatics

Conventional everyday masks help protect against pathogens by filtering a certain percentage of viruses and bacteria. However, they usually do not kill any of these germs.

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There is therefore a risk that masks worn in heat and humidity will become breeding grounds for various pathogens that are in the filter. Dangerous so-called secondary infections can occur if you wear them again.

Mask wearers avoid this problem with special, washable masks of the highest medical protection class. Here we explain what you should pay attention to as a consumer.

Especially in the corona pandemic, it is important that a mask is certified as a medical face mask according to official standards. It is also recognized in supermarkets, hospitals or public transport.

EN14683 is the relevant European standard here. Consumers can identify compliance with this policy by a notice on the mask or its packaging. This should always be sealed when you buy it.

Masks with Curie technology, for example, also have an antiviral effect. This means that they filter more than 99 percent of viruses and bacteria and then kill them within 60 seconds.

This avoids secondary infection. There is a video at curie.at that explains how the electrostatic processes used mean that a mask without metal and chemicals has an antiviral effect.

The relevant technology was developed in cooperation with the University of Hong Kong, and its effectiveness has been confirmed by the University of Tampere in Finland.

Consumers should also pay attention to good skin-friendliness when buying a mask. Soft jersey fabric on the inside of the mask prevents the development of redness or pimples on the face.

There are also medical masks that are washable. In contrast to disposable masks, this is an advantage for the environment, as the amount of waste is greatly reduced.

In addition, the total costs that consumers spend on the masks are reduced because they do not have to constantly buy new ones. Washing the matching masks once a week at 30 degrees is recommended.