The Chemistry & Technology of Personal Protection

These flashcards cover the chemistry, construction, and technological advancements of personal protective face masks, including N95, surgical, cloth, and smart mask versions.

N95 Respirator

A professional standard mask designed to filter at least 95% of airborne particles, including 0.3-micron droplets, requiring a tight-fitting seal and official Fit Testing.

Fit Testing

An official requirement for N95 respirators to ensure a very tight seal with zero air leaks.

Surgical Face Mask

A loose-fitting, single-use barrier made of melt-blown polypropylene designed to repel splashes and protect others from the wearer's emissions.

Melt-blown polypropylene

The specific material used in the construction of surgical face masks.

Cloth Face Mask

A reusable, washable barrier made of cotton or synthetics for everyday public use, with filtration efficiency varying between 2% and 38%.

REwear™

A local Philippine innovation developed by DOST-PTRI that lasts for 50 washes and features a hydrophobic finish that renders cotton liquid impermeable.

DOST-PTRI

The Department of Science and Technology — Philippine Textile Research Institute.

Breathability (Differential Pressure)

A measure of mask performance, where the WHO recommendation is $<100\,Pa/cm^2$ and the REwear™ mask measures $27\,Pa/cm^2$.

Hydrophilic material

A material used for the innermost layer of a mask to absorb moisture and ensure skin comfort.

Hydrophobic finish

A coating applied to the outermost layer of a mask to repel liquid droplets.

4-Layer "Smart" Construction

The design of the REwear™ mask consisting of one hydrophobic outer layer, two middle fabric layers for mechanical filtration, and one hydrophilic absorbent cotton inner layer.

Smart Sensing

Future mask technology incorporating bio-sensors that analyze breath to detect kidney health or blood alcohol levels.

NFC chip

A component integrated into smart face masks to allow data linkage to smartphone apps for monitoring parameters like CO2 and temperature.

Cut the loops

A recommended safety practice before disposing of surgical masks to prevent entangling marine life.