Indian Summer16 Sep 2021 23:17
https://pubs.rsc.org/om-oss/content/articlepdf/2021/ra/d0ra10009a
Antimicrobial face masks The use of a face mask as an RPD is instrumental in preventing airborne, droplet, and aerosol transmission, where the primary control mechanism lies in reducing exposure. However, there are serious concerns about the usage of conventional disposable face masks. When infected individual coughs or sneezes, the pathogen laden droplets can splash out and adheres to the immediate contact surfaces, and remain viable for several days.78 Many studies have proven the presence of SARS-CoV-2 on various material surfaces, including inner and outer layers of face masks for a period of 4 and 7 days, respectively.79,80 These contaminated face mask surfaces, in turn, becomes a source of fomite transmission.81 Besides, the warm and humid conditions inside the face mask due to breathing and saliva creates a favourable environment for the intercepted microorganisms to grow and flourish. The moist conditions will induce a capillary action due to which the intercepted microorganisms transfer further into the inner layers via suction, thus endangering the health of the wearer.75 Eventually, these microorganisms will aggregate as an extracellular polymeric matrix containing polysaccharides, proteins, and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) resulting in the formation of biofilms. In these situations, an unexpected danger arises due to the reaerosolisation of the settled particles during intense sneezing or coughing by the wearer.16""Metallic Cu, copper nanoparticles (CuNPs), copper(II) oxide (CuO), copper(I) oxide (Cu2O), copper iodide (CuI) are found to be effective in inactivating human immunodeficiency virus, influenza virus, bacteriophages, H9N2 virus, poliovirus, bronchitis virus, and herpes simplex virus.60,87,127 Cu ions interact with the negatively charged bacterial cell membrane through electrostatic interaction. The inactivation is through redox cycling between Cu2+ and Cu+ at the cell surface, which catalyses the hydroxyl radicals and superoxide anions. The generation of free radicals damages the lipids, protein, and DNA of bacteria and viruses.83 The antiviral activity of Cu is because of the interaction of Cu2+ with DNA, where the nucleotide and the base pair of the DNA offer the binding sites.141 The ROS formed during redox recycling also results in the degradation fragment of viral proteins, hemagglutinin and neuraminidase.87 It is said that the virucidal activity of Cu is enhanced in the presence of peroxide. Peroxide opens the protein coat of the virus and facilitates the entry of Cu ions to denature nucleic acids.85,87 Cu ions also interfere with the cell permeability resulting in the loss of potassium ions and cell death.83 Research on antimicrobial face masks started gaining momentum after the SARS-2003 epidemic. Further with the onset of COVID-19, the spike in demand for antimicrobial face masks has escalated its market share. The CAGR gro
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