These questions and answers are adapted from: https://anest.ufl.edu/clinical-divisions/mask-alternative/frequently-asked-questions/. Updates have been made to the UF Health information.
Why should I wear a mask?
Currently, experts agree that you should wear a mask to prevent transmission of human coronaviruses and influenza viruses if you are ILL (eg. fever, cough, flu-like symptoms). In addition, there are emerging evidence that wearing a mask when you leave your home regardless if you are ill can be a good idea, both to protect yourself from airborne droplets and aerosols and to protect other people from you. This is because COVID-19 is highly contagious, given new information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicating that about 1 in 4 people infected with COVID-19 may not show symptoms. Aerosols and droplets that can spread COVID-19 are generated from speaking, breathing, coughing and sneezing. Sometimes these particles travel further than the 2 meters currently recommended for social distancing. Therefore, universal mask wearing is a good idea, especially if physical distancing is impossible (eg. essential workers). However, due to the current mask shortage worldwide, N95 masks should be reserved for medical professionals.
Currently, experts agree that you should wear a mask to prevent transmission of human coronaviruses and influenza viruses if you are ILL (eg. fever, cough, flu-like symptoms). In addition, there are emerging evidence that wearing a mask when you leave your home regardless if you are ill can be a good idea, both to protect yourself from airborne droplets and aerosols and to protect other people from you. This is because COVID-19 is highly contagious, given new information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicating that about 1 in 4 people infected with COVID-19 may not show symptoms. Aerosols and droplets that can spread COVID-19 are generated from speaking, breathing, coughing and sneezing. Sometimes these particles travel further than the 2 meters currently recommended for social distancing. Therefore, universal mask wearing is a good idea, especially if physical distancing is impossible (eg. essential workers). However, due to the current mask shortage worldwide, N95 masks should be reserved for medical professionals.
Asadi, S., Wexler, A.S., Cappa, C.D. et al. Aerosol emission and superemission during human speech increase with voice loudness. Sci Rep 9, 2348 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-38808-z
Bourouiba L. Turbulent Gas Clouds and Respiratory Pathogen Emissions: Potential Implications for Reducing Transmission of COVID-19. JAMA. Published online March 26, 2020. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.4756
Leung, N.H.L., Chu, D.K.W., Shiu, E.Y.C. et al. Respiratory virus shedding in exhaled breath and efficacy of face masks. Nat Med (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-020-0843-2
Rational use of face masks in the COVID-19 pandemic. Feng S, Shen C, Xia N, Song W, Fan M, Cowling BJ. Lancet Respir Med. 2020 Mar 20.
How does the Halyard Mask compare with N95 masks, surgical masks and common fabric masks?
More details here
More details here
Is the sewn mask an N95 respirator?
NO. There are very clear and important distinctions between commercially available certified N95 respirators and these masks. An N95 respirator has several key components to pass testing: 1) It is specifically constructed in multiple layers so that it has filtering capacity to 0.3 microns of particle size; 2) It must have breathability so that excess CO2 does not build up over time for the wearer; 3) It must fit tightly to the face as the wearer moves so that a complete seal is maintained at all times; and 4) It should be made of materials that are hypoallergenic and do not damage the skin.
NO. There are very clear and important distinctions between commercially available certified N95 respirators and these masks. An N95 respirator has several key components to pass testing: 1) It is specifically constructed in multiple layers so that it has filtering capacity to 0.3 microns of particle size; 2) It must have breathability so that excess CO2 does not build up over time for the wearer; 3) It must fit tightly to the face as the wearer moves so that a complete seal is maintained at all times; and 4) It should be made of materials that are hypoallergenic and do not damage the skin.
Why are you using this medical fabric?
The Halyard material has one layer (2-ply) specifications of filtering particles at 3 microns with >99.9% efficiency (high performance on Bacteria Filtration Efficiency BFE). It has been tested to filter particles <0.5 micron with 80-90% filtration efficiency when simulating physiologic work of breathing. Using the most stringent NIOSH particle filtration efficiency test designed for N95 masks, it filters 0.3 micron particles with 60-80% filtration efficiency when simulating heavy work of breathing (data from the UBC aerosol lab). Finally, it is flame-resistant, biocompatible, highly splash resistant - with the capacity to withstand 80-100 cmH2O. These properties make this material ideal for DIY homemade masks. These masks should not be used to replace N95s - in terms of filtering capacity, they are superior to homemade cloth masks and some surgical face masks. Currently this is an off-label use of the sterilization wrapping.
The Halyard material has one layer (2-ply) specifications of filtering particles at 3 microns with >99.9% efficiency (high performance on Bacteria Filtration Efficiency BFE). It has been tested to filter particles <0.5 micron with 80-90% filtration efficiency when simulating physiologic work of breathing. Using the most stringent NIOSH particle filtration efficiency test designed for N95 masks, it filters 0.3 micron particles with 60-80% filtration efficiency when simulating heavy work of breathing (data from the UBC aerosol lab). Finally, it is flame-resistant, biocompatible, highly splash resistant - with the capacity to withstand 80-100 cmH2O. These properties make this material ideal for DIY homemade masks. These masks should not be used to replace N95s - in terms of filtering capacity, they are superior to homemade cloth masks and some surgical face masks. Currently this is an off-label use of the sterilization wrapping.
Where can I find details to make these masks?
Please refer to the post DIY Homemade Masks using the Halyard Sterilization Wrap. UF health have instructional PDFs with patterns, videos and updates on their website: https://anest.ufl.edu/clinical-divisions/alternative-n95-mask-production/. Check out other posts on this website and @freemaskproject on Facebook for other designs.
Please refer to the post DIY Homemade Masks using the Halyard Sterilization Wrap. UF health have instructional PDFs with patterns, videos and updates on their website: https://anest.ufl.edu/clinical-divisions/alternative-n95-mask-production/. Check out other posts on this website and @freemaskproject on Facebook for other designs.
I want to sew. I’m in Vancouver. What should I do?
Please refer to Get Started and contact freemaskproject@gmail.com to be added to our database of volunteers and someone will respond to you as soon as possible. Please include your name, sewing level and location.
Please refer to Get Started and contact freemaskproject@gmail.com to be added to our database of volunteers and someone will respond to you as soon as possible. Please include your name, sewing level and location.
I want to help collect. I’m in Vancouver. What should I do?
Please refer to Get Started and contact freemaskproject@gmail.com to be added to our database of volunteers and someone will respond to you as soon as possible. We are currently looking for donations of cloth fabric including silk, cotton (200-600 thread count), and polyester).
Please refer to Get Started and contact freemaskproject@gmail.com to be added to our database of volunteers and someone will respond to you as soon as possible. We are currently looking for donations of cloth fabric including silk, cotton (200-600 thread count), and polyester).
For the Halyard fabric, this medical fabric is used in operating rooms or medical procedural rooms that require sterilized surgical instruments. Get in touch with the nurses or doctors involved at your medical center to recruit their help. You can start to collect this material at your local hospital in a clean plastic bag away from patient contact and we will help to coordinate pick up or drop off. We are only asking for CLEAN sterilization wrappings that are folded and opened and stored in a clean environment prior to ANY patient contact.
I need a mask or know someone who does. How do I get one?
Please contact freemaskproject@gmail.com with your required size.
Please contact freemaskproject@gmail.com with your required size.
How can I get the Halyard fabric?
We are using Halyard H100-600 fabric that is typically used to wrap surgical instrument trays in medical settings. If you are seeking this material, we can help you to connect with a volunteer who is sourcing this material from a local medical facility. Our current supplies come from Burnaby Hospital, Surrey Memorial Hospital, Abbotsford Hospital, Langley Hospital and Royal Columbian Hospital. Our current pickup locations include Burnaby, Coquitlam, Langley, Abbotsford and New Westminister.
We are using Halyard H100-600 fabric that is typically used to wrap surgical instrument trays in medical settings. If you are seeking this material, we can help you to connect with a volunteer who is sourcing this material from a local medical facility. Our current supplies come from Burnaby Hospital, Surrey Memorial Hospital, Abbotsford Hospital, Langley Hospital and Royal Columbian Hospital. Our current pickup locations include Burnaby, Coquitlam, Langley, Abbotsford and New Westminister.
How are you sterilizing the fabric and masks?
The cloth masks are washed with high heat prior to distribution. The Halyard sterilization wrappings are autoclave sterilized along with the surgical instruments and then unwrapped and collected in a clean Operating Room or Medical Procedural Room prior to any patient encounter. They are then stored in clean plastic bags. We recommend that both the fabric and the masks be sterilized with dry heat for 30 min at 70°C (eg. oven, dehydrator). If using oven heat, preheat the oven to the required temperature. The fabric should not touch the edges of the oven. Do not wash, iron or wet the Halyard material as this may degrade the filtration efficiency of the fabric.
The cloth masks are washed with high heat prior to distribution. The Halyard sterilization wrappings are autoclave sterilized along with the surgical instruments and then unwrapped and collected in a clean Operating Room or Medical Procedural Room prior to any patient encounter. They are then stored in clean plastic bags. We recommend that both the fabric and the masks be sterilized with dry heat for 30 min at 70°C (eg. oven, dehydrator). If using oven heat, preheat the oven to the required temperature. The fabric should not touch the edges of the oven. Do not wash, iron or wet the Halyard material as this may degrade the filtration efficiency of the fabric.
What is the duration of use?
The length of time for use varies depending on wear and tear and amount of soiling by blood or secretions. Typically, masks are single-use only. Due to the current conditions, people are choosing to reuse homemade masks. For the Halyard masks, our recommendations are based on research on N95masks that use similar non-woven polypropylene material. Stanford and the University of Tennessee Research Foundation have come to a consensus that commercial N95 masks can be used under autoclave (dry heat) 20 times and under UV light 10 times in the current pandemic.
The length of time for use varies depending on wear and tear and amount of soiling by blood or secretions. Typically, masks are single-use only. Due to the current conditions, people are choosing to reuse homemade masks. For the Halyard masks, our recommendations are based on research on N95masks that use similar non-woven polypropylene material. Stanford and the University of Tennessee Research Foundation have come to a consensus that commercial N95 masks can be used under autoclave (dry heat) 20 times and under UV light 10 times in the current pandemic.
What kind of nose piece should I use?
Several options exist. Make sure the ends are looped to prevent injury to the fabric and wearer.
1) 16-20 gauge craft wire. Aluminum wire is too soft. If you need to use 20-gauge wire, cut 2-3 pieces and make a loop on all ends.
2) 3" x 1/4" pieces made from .032 aluminum donated by Sheet Metal Union Members.
3) pipe cleaners
Several options exist. Make sure the ends are looped to prevent injury to the fabric and wearer.
1) 16-20 gauge craft wire. Aluminum wire is too soft. If you need to use 20-gauge wire, cut 2-3 pieces and make a loop on all ends.
2) 3" x 1/4" pieces made from .032 aluminum donated by Sheet Metal Union Members.
3) pipe cleaners
What kind of material should I use for the straps?
We have found that the Halyard medical fabric can be used to create ties without the need of yarn or cotton twill as supporting material. Any additional materials you choose must stand up to oven temperatures of 70°C for 30 minutes. If possible, materials should withstand temperature up to 90°C for 15min.
We have found that the Halyard medical fabric can be used to create ties without the need of yarn or cotton twill as supporting material. Any additional materials you choose must stand up to oven temperatures of 70°C for 30 minutes. If possible, materials should withstand temperature up to 90°C for 15min.
DISCLAIMER: THE MASK INFORMATION IS PROVIDED “AS-IS, WHERE-IS,” WITHOUT REPRESENTATIONS, CONDITIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR THAT THE USE OF THE MASK INFORMATION WILL NOT INFRINGE ANY PATENT, COPYRIGHT, TRADEMARK OR OTHER PROPRIETARY RIGHTS. THE RECIPIENT IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR DETERMINING THE APPROPRIATENESS OF USING, REPLICATING OR REDISTRIBUTING THE MASK INFORMATION AND DESIGN. IN THIS REGARD, THE RECIPIENT ASSUMES ALL LIABILITY FOR DAMAGES, OF WHATEVER NATURE AND DESCRIPTION, WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR IN TORT, WHICH MAY ARISE FROM THE USE OF THE MASK INFORMATION AND DESIGN. THE FREE MASK PROJECT OF VANCOUVER, THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, INCLUDING ITS EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS, WILL NOT BE LIABLE TO THE RECIPIENT OR TO ANY THIRD PARTY FOR ANY LOSS, CLAIM OR DEMAND MADE BY THE RECIPIENT, OR ANY LOSS, CLAIM, DEMAND OR JUDGMENT AGAINST THE RECIPIENT BY ANY OTHER PARTY, DUE TO OR ARISING FROM THE USE OF THE MASK INFORMATION AND DESIGN BY THE RECIPIENT.