Face masks. Technical, technological and functional characteristics and hygienic-sanitary aspects related to the use of filtering mask in the community

The Impact of Mask-Wearing on Allergic Rhinitis Symptoms During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among the Saudi Population: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is an inflammatory disease of the nasal mucosa caused by certain allergens that may be found indoors or outdoors, and it greatly impacts the patient's quality of life. The COVID-19 epidemic offers an excellent chance to examine how using a face mask affects allergy.

AIM

The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of face mask wearing on AR symptoms among subjects living in the northern, southern, eastern, western, and central regions of Saudi Arabia.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional, survey-based study was undertaken in all Saudi Arabia regions in 2022. We included female and male adults living in Saudi Arabia who have AR and completed the Arabic version of an electronic self-administered questionnaire.

RESULTS

The overall received responses were 2252. According to the study eligibility criteria, we assessed the data of 470 participants who self-reported to have been diagnosed with AR. There was no significant change in the proportions of nasal symptoms severity before and after wearing face masks during the pandemic (p = 0.867), while a significant negative change was observed in the rates of moderate and severe ophthalmic symptoms (p < 0.001). The need for AR drugs was significantly increased during the pandemic (no need for drugs was reported by 45.3% before the pandemic and by 37.9% during the pandemic, p < 0.001). However, the use of AR drugs was significantly associated with the improvement of AR symptoms (p < 0.001); complete and partial eliminations of AR symptoms were higher with the use of masks during the pandemic (11.3% and 36.8%) than before the pandemic period (10.6% and 34.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

Face mask usage was not associated with improved symptoms or severity of AR. Wearing the masks was associated with increased severity of ophthalmic symptoms. The use of face masks was associated with a significant increase in the partial and complete elimination of AR symptoms with the use of AR drugs, particularly with the constant use of masks.

A critical process variable-regulated, parameter-balancing auxostat, performed using disposed COVID-19 personal protective equipment-based substrate mixture, yields sustained and improved endoglucanase titers

Fifty percent of the overall operational expenses of biorefineries are incurred during enzymatic-saccharification processes. Cellulases have a global-market value of $1621 USD. Dearth of conventional lignocelluloses have led to the exploration of their waste stream-based, unconventional sources. Native fungus-employing cellulase-production batches fail to yield sustained enzyme titers. It could be attributed to variations in the enzyme-production broth's quasi-dilatant behavior, its fluid and flow properties; heat and oxygen transfer regimes; kinetics of fungal growth; and nutrient utilization. The current investigation presents one of the first-time usages of a substrate mixture, majorly comprising disposed COVID-19 personal protective-equipment (PPE). To devise a sustainable and scalable cellulase-production process, various variable-regulated, continuous-culture auxostats were performed. The glucose concentration-maintaining auxostat recorded consistent endoglucanase titers throughout its feeding-cum-harvest cycles; furthermore, it enhanced oxygen transfer, heat transfer co-efficient, and mass transfer co-efficient by 91.5, 36, and 77%, respectively. Substrate-characterization revealed that an unintended, autoclave-based organsolv pretreatment caused unanticipated increases in endoglucanase titers. The cumulative lab-scale cellulase-production cost was found to be $16.3. The proposed approach is economical, and it offers a pollution-free waste management process, thereby generating carbon credits.

Facial mask for prevention of allergic rhinitis symptoms

Objectives

We reviewed the role of facial masks in preventing allergic rhinitis (AR) symptoms.

Methods

The literature survey was performed in PubMed, EBSCO, UpToDate, and Proquest Central databases of Kırıkkale University and Google and Google Scholar databases.

Results

Aeroallergens are microscopic airborne particles that trigger AR symptoms. In sensitive people, the type 1 hypersensitivity reaction against these allergens occurs when these microparticles enter the nasal mucosa via inhalation. Pollens, molds, dust mites, and animal dander are only some of the allergens suspected of contributing to AR symptoms. The treatment guidelines for AR extensively encompass allergy avoidance and environmental management as the first-line treatment. It is recommended that those who experience seasonal symptoms try to avoid their triggers whenever possible. While medical masks filter out particles larger than 3 μm, FFP2 masks are effective against particles as small as 0.004 μm. Since both mask types are effective in filtering pollen larger than 5 μm in size, they can be used to prevent pollen exposure. The "antiviral protection" provided by medical and FFP2 masks to hospital employees is roughly equivalent. Thus, both should be effective against direct local (eye) or indirect inhaled (nose, bronchial) pollen exposure. For the masks to do their job, they need to fit correctly.

Conclusion

Face mask affects AR patients' quality of life and reduces AR symptoms' severity.

Current knowledge on the presence, biodegradation, and toxicity of discarded face masks in the environment

During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, facemasks became mandatory, with a great preference for disposable ones. However, the benefits of face masks for health safety are counteracted by the environmental burden related to their improper disposal. An unprecedented influx of disposable face masks entering the environment has been reported in the last two years of the pandemic, along with their implications in natural environments in terms of their biodegradability, released contaminants and ecotoxicological effects. This critical review addresses several aspects of the current literature regarding the (bio)degradation and (eco)toxicity of face masks related contaminants, identifying uncertainties and research needs that should be addressed in future studies. While it is indisputable that face mask contamination contributes to the already alarming plastic pollution, we are still far from determining its real environmental and ecotoxicological contribution to the issue. The paucity of studies on biodegradation and ecotoxicity of face masks and related contaminants, and the uncertainties and uncontrolled variables involved during experimental procedures, are compromising eventual comparison with conventional plastic debris. Studies on the abundance and composition of face mask-released contaminants (microplastics/fibres/ chemical compounds) under pre- and post-pandemic conditions should, therefore, be encouraged, along with (bio)degradation and ecotoxicity tests considering environmentally relevant settings. To achieve this, methodological strategies should be developed to overcome technical difficulties to quantify and characterise the smallest MPs and fibres, adsorbents, and leachates to increase the environmental relevancy of the experimental conditions.

Green Transformation of Anti-Epidemic Supplies in the Post-Pandemic Era: An Evolutionary Approach

Post-pandemic, the use of medical supplies, such as masks, for epidemic prevention remains high. The explosive growth of medical waste during the COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant environmental problems. To alleviate this, environment-friendly epidemic prevention measures should be developed, used, and promoted. However, contradictions exist between governments, production enterprises, and medical institutions regarding the green transformation of anti-epidemic supplies. Consequently, this study aimed to investigate how to effectively guide the green transformation. Concerning masks, a tripartite evolutionary game model, consisting of governments, mask enterprises, and medical institutions, was established for the supervision of mask production and use, boundary conditions of evolutionary stabilization strategies and government regulations were analyzed, and a dynamic system model was used for the simulation analysis. This analysis revealed that the only tripartite evolutionary stability strategy is for governments to deregulate mask production, enterprises to increase eco-friendly mask production, and medical institutions to use these masks. From the comprehensive analysis, a few important findings are obtained. First, government regulation can promote the green transformation process of anti-epidemic supplies. Government should realize the green transformation of anti-epidemic supplies immediately in order to avoid severe reputation damage. Second, external parameter changes can significantly impact the strategy selection process of all players. Interestingly, it is further found that the cost benefit for using environmentally friendly masks has a great influence on whether green transformation can be achieved. Consequently, the government should establish a favorable marketplace for, and promote the development of, inexpensive, high-quality, and effective environmentally friendly masks in order to achieve the ultimate goal of green transformation of anti-epidemic supplies in the post-pandemic era.

Innovative Textiles Used in Face Masks: Filtration Efficiency and Self-Disinfecting Properties against Coronaviruses

Within the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, personal protective equipment, including face masks, is one important tool to interrupt virus transmission chains within the community. In this context, the quality of different face masks is frequently discussed and should, therefore, be evaluated. In this study, nanofleece textiles with a particle filtering effect and textiles with a self-disinfecting treatment were examined, which may be combined in face masks. Firstly, newly developed nanofleece textiles were tested regarding their filtration efficiency against airborne coronavirus, using feline coronavirus (FCoV) as a surrogate for SARS-CoV-2. The tested nanofleece textiles showed filtration efficiencies of over 95% against FCoV when used as a double layer and were, therefore, almost on par with the FFP-2 mask material, which was used as a reference. Secondly, eight treated, self-disinfecting textiles, which may increase the safety in the handling of potentially contaminated masks, were tested against SARS-CoV-2. Three out of eight treated textiles showed significant activity against SARS-CoV-2 and achieved about three LOG10 (99.9%) of virus titer reduction after twelve hours of incubation. Since all possible transmission paths of SARS-CoV-2, as well as the minimal infection doses, remain unknown, both investigated approaches seem to be useful tools to lower the virus spread within the community.