MANU, DE-GRAFT

KWASI
CLASS OF 2011
4TH FEB, 2O11

THE
TOPIC:

FACEMASK
 THE FACE MASK
Cross-infection is the transmission of infectious agents between patients and staff within the
clinical environment. Potential risks include not only hepatitis and human immunodeficiency
virus, but also other viruses such as herpes and bacteria; Streptococcus pyogenes.
Transmission can occur by inoculation or inhalation by direct or indirect contact. The oral
environment in which dentists work exposes them to body fluids such as saliva, crevicular
fluid and even blood. It is therefore a viable ground for transmission of infection. Since it is
unethical to refuse dental care on the grounds that it could expose the dentist to personal risk,
it is imperative that the dentist is well armed. Disposable gloves protect the hands in the
working site. Because of the close proximity of the face to the working field, two major
orifices of the body namely the mouth and nostrils become a major entry and exit points for
exchange of infectious agents between patients and dentists. These may occur through
aerosols or saliva. The skin overlying the face if left unprotected may also serve as an entry
point. When there is a splatter the eyes are not spared either. The face must therefore be
adequately protected during all dental procedures in the clinic. The material for the provision
of this protection is the face mask. Face masks are not reserved for only dentists but other
medical professionals such as physicians, surgeons, nurses, laboratory technicians, etc. These
include products labeled as surgical, dental, medical procedure, isolation, and laser masks.
There are different types of facemasks designed and used for different purposes. For instance
there are masks for delivering oxygen to patients. A football face mask that protects the
face and eyes from fingers, elbows, and other potentially damaging impacts are
available. Facemasks impregnated chemicals for cosmetic purposes also exist.
But this write up covers the disposable face mask used by clinicians.

A disposable face mask includes a mask body covering substantially a nose, mouth, and chin
of a wearer, and an extension provided with the mask body. The extension is configured to
encircle a back of a wearer's head and to substantially cover a wearer's cheeks, jaw, and ears.
A substantial portion of the extension is formed from a resilient material treated with a
repellant agent to prevent contaminants from entering or exiting such treated portion of the
extension. A disposable face mask is made up of molded fibrous sheet material which is
formed to define a generally cup-shaped main body having two spaced, generally parallel,
integral, interior nose Facemasks help stop droplets from being spread by the person wearing
them. They also keep splashes or sprays from reaching the mouth and nose of the person
wearing the facemask. They are not designed to protect you against breathing in very small
particles. Face masks should be used once and then thrown away in the trash. A face mask
has an oral and nasal portions filter-seals which are strategically located to engage opposed
sides of the nose of the wearer. The mask body also desirably has an elongated, integral
interior chin portion filter-seal which is positioned to engage the face underneath the wearer's
chin. The nose and chin filter-seals cooperate to prevent passage of contaminated air beneath
the peripheral edge of the mask and the user's face. The elongated nose filter-seals are
especially effective in preventing passage of contaminated air along paths of travel which
extend from the nose bridge encompassing part of the mask to the user's nostrils of mouth.
The same is true of the chin filter-seal. The nose and chin portions preferably interconnect to
form a continuous filter-seal around the periphery of the mask. In one embodiment, a groove
comprised of crushed fibrous material delineates the elongated nose filter-seals from the
remaining interior surface areas of the mask and assists in maintaining the generally cup
shape of the mask. Face masks are one tool utilized for preventing the spread of disease.
They may also be called dental, isolation, laser, medical, procedure, or surgical masks. Face
masks are loose-fitting masks that cover the nose and mouth, and have ear loops or ties or
bands at the back of the head. There are many different brands and they come in different
colors. It is important to use a face mask approved by the FDA. Consider wearing a face
mask when you are sick with a cough or sneezing illness (with or without fever) and you
expect to be around other people. The face mask will help protect them from catching your
illness. Healthcare settings have specific rules for when people should wear face masks. Face
masks are made mainly from polypropylene.
Face masks come in different forms depending on their intended purpose. The degree of
protection differs from one face mask to another. So a particular mask chosen will depend on
the procedure and the properties of the mask. Below are some of the face masks available on
the market.

3 PLY Facemask

Specification
• Material: Non-Woven Polypropylene
• Type: elastic earloop
• Gram: 18g+20g+20g or as requirement
• Size: 17.5 x 9 cm/14.5 x 9 cm /21 x 9 cm
• Color: White, Blue, Green, pink
• Feature: lightweight, odorless, fiberglass free, non-
irritating to the skin, fluid resistant
• Application: Ideal for contamination control and serious
infections including AIDS and other communicable
diseases
Top of Form
• High-quality with CE approved
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• Customer's requirements are available
47 Packing
• 50 pieces per box
Bottom of Form
• 40 box per carton
• 2000 pieces per carton
• box can be printed as customer require
 Top of Form
47

47

ACTIVE
CARBON
FACEMASK
Top of Form
47

47

Bottom of Form

SPECIFICATION
• Material: Non-Woven Polypropylene, Active Carbon
• Type: elastic earloop
• Gram: 18g+20g+20g or as requirement
• Size: 17.5 x 9 cm
• Color: White, Blue, Green, pink
• Feature: lightweight, odorless, fiberglass free, non-irritating to the skin, fluid resistant
• Application: Ideal for contamination control and serious infections including AIDS and
other communicable diseases
• High-quality with CE approved
• Customer's requirements are available
Packing
• 50 pieces per box
• 40 box per carton
• 2000 pieces per carton
• box can be printed as customer require
• other requirement available

Top of Form
47 47

Bottom of Form

Active Carbon Facemask with Valve

Specification
• Material : four layers made of soft Polypropylene
• Particulate active carbon respirator, smooth surface without fiber drops
• High efficient active carbon absorbs nuisance organic acid vapors
• Inner layer reduce the fiber drops and increase the wearing comfort
• The filter layer is made of high efficient melt blown web which resists dust and oil-free
particle
• Latex-free cloth head straps for comfortable wearing
• High-quality with N95 approved
• Customer's requirements are available
Kid Facemask

Specification
• Material: Non-Woven Polypropylene
• Type: elastic earloop
• 2ply & 3ply are available
• Gram: 18g+20g+20g or as requirement
• Size: 14.5 x 9 cm
• Color: White, Blue, Green, pink
• Feature: lightweight, odorless, fiberglass free, non-irritating to the skin, fluid resistant
• Application: Ideal for contamination control and serious infections including AIDS and
other communicable diseases
• High-quality with CE approved
• Customer's requirements are available
Packing
• 50 pieces per box
• 40 box per carton
• 2000 pieces per carton
• box can be printed as customer require
Surgical Facemask

Specification
• Material: Non-Woven Polypropylene
• Type: tie-on bands , 3ply
• Gram: 18g+20g+20g or as requirement
• Size: 17.5 x 9 cm
• Color: White, Blue, Green, pink
• Feature: lightweight, odorless, fiberglass free, non-irritating to the skin, fluid resistant
• Application: Ideal for contamination control and serious infections including AIDS and
other communicable diseases
• High-quality with CE approved
• Customer's requirements are available
Packing
• 50 pieces per box
• 40 box per carton
• 2000 pieces per carton
• box can be printed as customer require
• other requirement available

Making a face mask

A process for making a mask comprises:
• providing a plurality of layers of plastic fabric materials in overlying relationship to
each other;
• slitting and sealing said plurality of plastic materials to form two sandwiched portions
thereof;
• feeding said two sandwiched portions of material in overlying relationship to each
other;
• welding the two sandwiched portions together to form an upper and lower portion of
the mask by means of an ultrasonic welding horn overlying a cylinder having cutting
scoring lines and welding lines thereon; and,
 • providing a layer of plastic material between said welding horn and said sandwiched
portions, which is not welded to said upper and lower portions.

How to put on and remove a face mask

Disposable face masks should be used once and then thrown in the trash. You should
also remove and replace masks when they become moist.

Always follow product instructions on use and storage of the mask, and procedures for how
to put on and remove a mask. If instructions for putting on and removing the mask are not
available, then follow the steps below.

How to put on a face mask

Clean your hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer before touching the
1
mask.

Remove a mask from the box and make sure there are no obvious tears or
2
holes in either side of the mask.

Determine which side of the mask is the top. The side of the mask that has a
3
stiff bendable edge is the top and is meant to mold to the shape of your nose.

Determine which side of the mask is the front. The colored side of the mask is
4 usually the front and should face away from you, while the white side touches
your face.

Follow the instructions below for the type of mask you are using.
• Face Mask with Ear loops: Hold the mask by the ear loops. Place a loop
around each ear.
• Face Mask with Ties: Bring the mask to your nose level and place the ties
5 over the crown of your head and secure with a bow.
• Face Mask with Bands: Hold the mask in your hand with the nosepiece or
top of the mask at fingertips, allowing the headbands to hang freely
below hands. Bring the mask to your nose level and pull the top strap
over your head so that it rests over the crown of your head. Pull the
bottom strap over your head so that it rests at the nape of your neck.
6 Mold or pinch the stiff edge to the shape of your nose.

If using a face mask with ties: Then take the bottom ties, one in each hand, and
7
secure with a bow at the nape of your neck.

8 Pull the bottom of the mask over your mouth and chin.

How to remove a face mask

1 Clean your hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer before touching the
mask. 2 Avoid touching the front of the mask. The front of the
mask is contaminated. Only touch the ear loops/ties/band.

3Follow the instructions below for the type of mask you are using.
• Face Mask with Ear loops: Hold both of the ear loops and gently lift and
remove the mask.
• Face Mask with Ties: Untie the bottom bow first then untie the top bow
and pull the mask away from you as the ties are loosened.
• Face Mask with Bands: Lift the bottom strap over your head first then pull
the top strap over your head.
4 Throw the mask in the trash.
5 Clean your hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer.

FUNCTIONS OF THE FACE MASK

Face masks, especially disposable face masks, serve many purposes and are
widely used in today's healthcare, medical, scientific, mining, industrial, farming
and environmental workplaces. In order to effectively filter air and/or prevent the
spread of germs, face masks typically include multiple layers, such as one or
more outer facing layer, one or more intermediate filter media layers and one or
more inner facing layers. During use, the masks fit quite closely with most of the
inner surface being in contact with the face of the user.

1. A face mask formed by a blank piece of material composed of a plurality of fibers having a
substantially constant thickness throughout and di-molded into a generally cup-shaped
configuration to fit over the mouth and nose of a wearer and for filtering the air passing
through the fibers, including,
a nose bridge portion,
nose pad portions to either side of the nose bridge portion to fit against the sides of the nose
and against the cheekbones of the wearer, and
a central portion of the face mask below the nose bridge portion and the nose pad portions
and with the fibers of the nose pad portions more lightly compacted during molding and
thereby having a greater thickness than the fibers in at least the central portion of the face
mask to have the nose pad portions thicker and more flexible than at least the central portion
of the face mask for providing a seal against the sides of the nose and the cheekbones for
preventing the passage of air between the mask and the face of the wearer.
2. The inner facing layer may be coated by an impregnating of the layer with a solution of
Aloe Vera, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Grape Seed Extract and Peppermint by methods preferably
such as dip coating, spray coating, roll coating and rod coating. The Aloe Vera, Vitamin E,
Vitamin C, Grape Seed Extract and Peppermint may be applied onto the fibers and fibrous
materials used to form the fabrics above before or during the forming of a series of
continuous webs forming the fabrics. The solution of Aloe Vera, Vitamin E, Vitamin C,
Grape Seed Extract and Peppermint may be applied on a series of continuous webs forming
the layer before the web is cut to define individual mask bodies. These medications provide
nourishment for the facial skin making it healthier.
 3. A face mask also protects the wearer's nose and mouth from splashes or sprays of body
fluids.
4. It prevents the surgeon from touching his or her mouth and nose whilst working.

Problems associated with face mask use

Despite the numerous advantages of using a face mask it has some shortfalls.
For example;

Face masks are frequently found to be warm and uncomfortable during use,
especially when they are used over an extended period of time for example, in
prolonged surgical procedures. An ever present problem associated with face
masks is moisture, due to warm, moist air exhaled by the wearer, perspiration
and also the contacting between mouth and the innermost facing layer. Such
moisture can result in the buildup of dampness on the face and the masks,
especially the inner facing layer. The face mask often becomes wet and abraded.
When this happens, the abraded material from the inner surface may irritate the
wearer, and the face mask becomes uncomfortable to wear.

Further, the moist environment on the face and the inner layer of the mask may also allow
bacteria and viruses to grow and multiply.
Another problem is caused by the fluffed fibers on the surface of the inner facing layer and
chemicals used in the manufacturing process of fabrics may also irritate the wearers with
sensitive skin.
A facemask can be used only once.
The oral/nasal masks which are made of rubber or an elastomer, and have cartridges,
generally are formulated so that they provide for the removal and replacement of the
cartridges as they become either clogged or no longer provide a sufficient filtration function.
Such cartridges have been found to be expensive and the use and comfort of the user has been
a detriment to their overall effectiveness in non-industrial, medical and lightweight uses.

Various intentions have been made to resolve these problems. In order to provide for a
readily used lightweight mask, certain disposable mask designs have been used lately. Such
masks are generally formed from a significantly highly concentrated woven and/or non-
woven material. Such materials can form the basis of providing interwoven passages and
interstices for the passage of air to a user. The masks and media within the masks have
sufficient air passage capability such that ease of breath is accommodated while at the same
time a significant entrapment of various airborne deleterious substances takes place. This is
usually based on entrapment within a labyrinth of non-woven and/or woven fabric or scrim
type fabrics with a non-woven material having multiple interstices. The interstices are
calculated to allow for the passage of air while at the same time trapping deleterious airborne
substances.
Such masks have incorporated an upper and lower portion which respectively fit over the
nose and mouth area and/or can tuck under a person's chin or reside on a person's chin. It is
preferable to have the masks easily secured by means of an elastomeric strap. The
elastomeric straps are attached to the mask so that they are drawn backwardly to effectuate a
tight seal over a user's nose and oral area. Such straps have been known to be used so that
they pull up on the bottom portion and backwardly on the top portion to make a seal.
Also, in order to effectuate a tighter seal within the nasal area, a malleable metal piece or
strip such as an aluminum strip is emplaced within the mask to allow it to be bent over a
user's nose. This sealing capability of bending the mask over a user's nose creates a seal
within the nasal area to help prevent the passage of undesirable airborne substances into the
nasal area.
It has been known that in the usage of such masks, that they tend to collapse within the nasal
area and do not hold their form over a user's oral/nasal passages. This invention is
specifically directed toward providing for reinforcing or support ribs in order to allow the
mask to conform in an open and expanded manner over a user's oral and nasal area. This
helps to accommodate the breathing of a user while at the same time creating a volumetric
space in the oral/nasal area for the maintenance of easy breathing.
Reusable facemasks are now available on the market. However, current disposable facemasks
have a limited effective lifespan; only once can it be used.
Nano masks that use a different mechanism to filter have also been developed. Nano Mask is
the first face mask in the world to utilize nanotechnology enhanced filter media to
effectively isolate and destroy viral and bacterial contaminants. A molecularly enhanced
particle coating is put on the mask’s filter; the nanoparticles in the coating have a tendency
to cluster together enough to prevent contaminants from reaching the skin.
In summary a face mask is a personal protective equipment for prevention of cross-infection.
They come in many forms and sizes. They are made mainly of polypropylene. Current ones
available have some shortcomings which newer inventions are trying to overcome but still
remain an indispensable arsenal in fighting cross-infection.

REFERENCES

Anderson, D.J(1981)Pocket Etymology of Medical Terms. Bristol, Bristol Classical

Press

BDA Advice Sheet, Health and Safety Law for Dental Practice. Feb.2008.

BDA Advice Sheet, Infection Control in Dentistry

birdfluprotection.com/nanomasks/buy_nanomask.

Field, E.(1998) Infection Control Methods, BDJ pg 185.

Health technical memorandum 01-05. DH Publications.

Huber et al.(2OO1). Disposable facemask. San Francisco. University press.

Liloia et al.(1965). Face mask. LA Magidson press.

Mitchell, A. And Mitchell, L.(2OO9) Handbook of Clinical Dentistry. 5th ed. Oxford.
Oxford University Press.

nanogloss.com/nanoparticles/nanoparticle-masks-and-goggle

Reese et al. Face mask with enhanced seal and method

- September, 1996 – 5553608, BDJ.

Sidhu, K.(1995) Dental Update BDJ 10 42

ultimate-cosmetics.com. (2OO3-2010)

www.fumehoodreviews.com/nano-mask-filter.

www.amazon.com/NanoMask-Protective-Replacement-Filters.

www. Sports Unlimited Inc. com