New PPE mask range can begin to kill SARS-CoV-2 on contact
pharmafile | August 27, 2021 | News story | Medical Communications |
A new PPE mask range has been launched that can begin to kill SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses and pathogens on contact.
The range, by Lancaster based ViraCoat Limited, includes the ViraCoat 3 Ply Type 2R Surgical Face Mask, ViraCoat FFP2 Respirator Mask, and ViraCoat FFP3 Respirator mask.
This is a significant breakthrough in reducing the risks of COVID-19, as there is a significant reduction in contamination risk during handling of masks while in use.
The masks can be safely worn for a full working day, thus reducing the cost of using multiple masks.
The product has gone through rigorous validation with Lancaster University and is now going into production in the UK.
Dr Muhammad Munir, Chief Scientific Officer at ViraCoat’s parent company ViraCorp and Lecturer in Molecular Virology at Lancaster University, said: “The antimicrobial coating of ViraCoat can significantly reduce the risks of contamination of wearers associated with handling masks, which may have SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses on their surface, for example while putting them on, removing them or disposing of the masks.
The ViraCoat anti-microbial coating kills not only SARS-CoV-2 but also influenza and potentially other viruses. It has already been tested as effective against SARS-CoV-2 variants first identified in UK (alpha), South Africa (beta), Brazil (gamma) and India (delta). The moulded design also ensures an effective seal against ingress or egress of virus particles around the mask.”
The ViraCoat masks are impregnated with a novel and patented antiviral and antimicrobial coating that completely kills SARS-CoV-2 virus within minutes.
Many hospitals report health workers changing masks between three and eight times throughout the course of the day as they move between patients or tasks. ViraCoat’s COVID-19-eliminating masks could save millions of tons of masks ending up in landfill and the oceans every year.
Lilly Subbotin
