To write 600/700 words on the anti-viral properties of different materials for the use of face masks. The materials are Silk, copper oxide and non woven polypropylene or polyester. Write about how each material is anti viral, the pros and the cons of each material. Include plenty of references
Antiviral Materials Week 6 Lewis Antiviral Materials 1. Silk 2. Copper Oxide 3. Non woven polypropylene or polyester NUMBER 1 - There have been studies surrounding silk suggesting it to be a natural antibacterial, antimicrobial and antiviral material. Not only do silk masks allow for comfort and breathability but also have hydrophobic properties allowing them to repel moisture/water. Its most important quality however is the copper within. Copper has the ability to kill bacteria and viruses through touch alone. As a result of this, utilising silk may be one of the most efficient ways to target corona (and other) viruses through face masks. Domesticated silk moths are fed with mulberry leaves, of which contain copper. This copper from the diet is transferred into the silk as it is made. This allows for a cruelty free method of extracting silk that will be abundant in the copper needed to create antiviral masks (https://www.hindustantimes.com/more-lifestyle/silk-face-mask-s-antimicrobial-antiba cterial-and-antiviral-properties-can-fight-coronavirus-study/story-ASc6570jwAOTTwx HeB1idJ.html). As Piraveenth found in week 5, silk masks have a multitude of benefits other than its antiviral properties as well as highlighting how the effectiveness of silk masks is dependent on the amount of layers the mask has. Additionally, copper allergies/hypersensitivity are rare and potentially have reduced chances of occurring due to the amount of copper present in the masks not being overwhelming (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25098945/). Furthermore, while possible and have been reported in the past, silk allergies are also rare which overall, makes it a suitable antiviral material for the creation of face masks (https://www.everydayhealth.com/columns/ava-shamban-your-skin-and-your-health/ weathering-fabric-allergies/). I think the main problem associated with silk will be obtaining the desired transparency required in the mask especially since effectiveness is based on layering the material. NUMBER 2 - As previously mentioned with the silk masks, copper is a big part of antiviral and antibacterial research. Consequently, copper oxide is being heavily researched for its antiviral properties within masks. General use masks, while effective, must be disposed of properly in order to prevent the spread of pathogens. Most members of the public do not follow the procedures of correctly disposing of their masks (mostly out of lack of knowledge) and as a result antiviral masks have seen high demand. A study conducted by Borkow G, et al. 2010, demonstrated that masks that have copper oxide introduced into them gain powerful and effective anti-influenza properties, while retaining their physical properties (https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0011295). This is especially important as it may be a useful alternative to silk, since silk requires https://www.hindustantimes.com/more-lifestyle/silk-face-mask-s-antimicrobial-antibacterial-and-antiviral-properties-can-fight-coronavirus-study/story-ASc6570jwAOTTwxHeB1idJ.html https://www.hindustantimes.com/more-lifestyle/silk-face-mask-s-antimicrobial-antibacterial-and-antiviral-properties-can-fight-coronavirus-study/story-ASc6570jwAOTTwxHeB1idJ.html https://www.hindustantimes.com/more-lifestyle/silk-face-mask-s-antimicrobial-antibacterial-and-antiviral-properties-can-fight-coronavirus-study/story-ASc6570jwAOTTwxHeB1idJ.html https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25098945/ https://www.everydayhealth.com/columns/ava-shamban-your-skin-and-your-health/weathering-fabric-allergies/ https://www.everydayhealth.com/columns/ava-shamban-your-skin-and-your-health/weathering-fabric-allergies/ https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0011295 Lewis multiple layers to be effective which may be troublesome when creating a transparent mask. Copper oxides could potentially help us create a mask with fewer layers while maintaining high filtration, efficiency, and most importantly, transparency. Within the same study, the masks tested contained ~2.2% copper oxide particles and were seen to have no negative effects upon the skin or surrounding toxicity in the animal trials. Though, this data was not shown within the study. The study further suggests that masks using similar fabric to theirs with up to 6 times more copper oxide present still had low chances of reactions occurring (https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0011295). In a study conducted by Cortes A, et al. 2020. The biocidal properties within copper were tested against the Coronaviridae family in hopes of finding methods to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent for CoronaVirus. The study concludes that “copper is capable to inhibit, inactivate, reduce, and irreversibly destroy coronavirus, influenza virus, and other pathogenic agents in a matter of minutes” and is suggestive to copper oxide and nanoparticles being used (as filters) to help prevent viral incubation on items such as face masks (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7428768/#bb0055). NUMBER 3 - According to Biedermann K, et al. 2007. Fibrous substrates have the ability to filter out pathogens. By introducing an acidic polymer to this, masks are suggested to have significant antiviral effects against both inhaled and exhaled air. The fibrous material works through catching viruses and other microorganisms, depositing them on the surface, eventually neutralising them. Some masks may be equipped with viral-destroying agents such as citric acid (as listed in the study) which will then target and kill the neutralised virus (https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2008009651A1/en). NOTE: While interesting, this might be a little outdated and I think I need more information around it before I can say anymore? This could be used alongside number 1 and 2. Since the fibrous substrate can catch and neutralise the virus they are perfect for an outside layer. The following layers could be filter material infused with copper oxide to ensure that viruses and bacteria of which make contact will be killed before finally coming to a layer that is both skin friendly and hydrophobic. An example of how this would look can be seen demonstrated below. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0011295 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7428768/#bb0055 https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2008009651A1/en Lewis Image adapted from: https://biocity.co.uk/pharm2farm-develops-antiviral-face-masks/ https://biocity.co.uk/pharm2farm-develops-antiviral-face-masks/ Antiviral Materials Week 6 Lewis Antiviral Materials 1. Silk 2. Copper Oxide 3. Non woven polypropylene or polyester NUMBER 1 - There have been studies surrounding silk suggesting it to be a natural antibacterial, antimicrobial and antiviral material. Not only do silk masks allow for comfort and breathability but also have hydrophobic properties allowing them to repel moisture/water. Its most important quality however is the copper within. Copper has the ability to kill bacteria and viruses through touch alone. As a result of this, utilising silk may be one of the most efficient ways to target corona (and other) viruses through face masks. Domesticated silk moths are fed with mulberry leaves, of which contain copper. This copper from the diet is transferred into the silk as it is made. This allows for a cruelty free method of extracting silk that will be abundant in the copper needed to create antiviral masks (https://www.hindustantimes.com/more-lifestyle/silk-face-mask-s-antimicrobial-antiba cterial-and-antiviral-properties-can-fight-coronavirus-study/story-ASc6570jwAOTTwx HeB1idJ.html). As Piraveenth found in week 5, silk masks have a multitude of benefits other than its antiviral properties as well as highlighting how the effectiveness of silk masks is dependent on the amount of layers the mask has. Additionally, copper allergies/hypersensitivity are rare and potentially have reduced chances of occurring due to the amount of copper present in the masks not being overwhelming (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25098945/). Furthermore, while possible and have been reported in the past, silk allergies are also rare which overall, makes it a suitable antiviral material for the creation of face masks (https://www.everydayhealth.com/columns/ava-shamban-your-skin-and-your-health/ weathering-fabric-allergies/). I think the main problem associated with silk will be obtaining the desired transparency required in the mask especially since effectiveness is based on layering the material. NUMBER 2 - As previously mentioned with the silk masks, copper is a big part of antiviral and antibacterial research. Consequently, copper oxide is being heavily researched for its antiviral properties within masks. General use masks, while effective, must be disposed of properly in order to prevent the spread of pathogens. Most members of the public do not follow the procedures of correctly disposing of their masks (mostly out of lack of knowledge) and as a result antiviral masks have seen high demand. A study conducted by Borkow G, et al. 2010, demonstrated that masks that have copper oxide introduced into them gain powerful and effective anti-influenza properties, while retaining their physical properties (https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0011295). This is especially important as it may be a useful alternative to silk, since silk requires https://www.hindustantimes.com/more-lifestyle/silk-face-mask-s-antimicrobial-antibacterial-and-antiviral-properties-can-fight-coronavirus-study/story-ASc6570jwAOTTwxHeB1idJ.html https://www.hindustantimes.com/more-lifestyle/silk-face-mask-s-antimicrobial-antibacterial-and-antiviral-properties-can-fight-coronavirus-study/story-ASc6570jwAOTTwxHeB1idJ.html https://www.hindustantimes.com/more-lifestyle/silk-face-mask-s-antimicrobial-antibacterial-and-antiviral-properties-can-fight-coronavirus-study/story-ASc6570jwAOTTwxHeB1idJ.html https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25098945/ https://www.everydayhealth.com/columns/ava-shamban-your-skin-and-your-health/weathering-fabric-allergies/ https://www.everydayhealth.com/columns/ava-shamban-your-skin-and-your-health/weathering-fabric-allergies/ https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0011295 Lewis multiple layers to be effective which may be troublesome when creating a transparent mask. Copper oxides could potentially help us create a mask with fewer layers while maintaining high filtration, efficiency, and most importantly, transparency. Within the same study, the masks tested contained ~2.2% copper oxide particles and were seen to have no negative effects upon the skin or surrounding toxicity in the animal trials. Though, this data was not shown within the study. The study further suggests that masks using similar fabric to theirs with up to 6 times more copper oxide present still had low chances of reactions occurring (https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0011295). In a study conducted by Cortes A, et al. 2020. The biocidal properties within copper were tested against the Coronaviridae family in hopes of finding methods to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent for CoronaVirus. The study concludes that “copper is capable to inhibit, inactivate, reduce, and irreversibly destroy coronavirus, influenza virus, and other pathogenic agents in a matter of minutes” and is suggestive to copper oxide and nanoparticles being used (as filters) to help prevent viral incubation on items such as face masks (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7428768/#bb0055). NUMBER 3 - According to Biedermann K, et al. 2007. Fibrous substrates have the ability to filter out pathogens. By introducing an acidic polymer to this, masks are suggested to have significant antiviral effects against both inhaled and exhaled air. The fibrous material works through catching viruses and other microorganisms, depositing them on the surface, eventually neutralising them. Some masks may be equipped with viral-destroying agents such as citric acid (as listed in the study) which will then target and kill the neutralised virus (https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2008009651A1/en). NOTE: While interesting, this might be a little outdated and I think I need more information around it before I can say anymore? This could be used alongside number 1 and 2. Since the fibrous substrate can catch and neutralise the virus they are perfect for an outside layer. The following layers could be filter material infused with copper oxide to ensure that viruses and bacteria of which make contact will be killed before finally coming to a layer that is both skin friendly and hydrophobic. An example of how this would look can be seen demonstrated below. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0011295 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7428768/#bb0055 https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2008009651A1/en Lewis Image adapted from: https://biocity.co.uk/pharm2farm-develops-antiviral-face-masks/ https://biocity.co.uk/pharm2farm-develops-antiviral-face-masks/