As you probably know by now etee stands for everything touches everything else. Our goal is for all our products to come from the earth and return to the earth, meaning biodegradable, eco-certified ingredients (non-toxic) and plastic-free.
Now that we're in the middle of a Global Pandemic, we are challenged with the desire to stay true to our mission, while also providing the protection people deserve.
You see, while Our FaceMasks fit perfectly with this mission - they are made with GOTS certified organic cotton and they are reusable - it is recommended to use a filter to ensure the masks provide maximum protection.
So we've been looking at filter options and the quickest to get in stock, cheapest and most tested is the disposable/single-use PM2.5 multi-layer, activated charcoal filter (with layers of synthetic melt-blown fabric), BUUUUT it's single use and it won't biodegrade any time soon.
Disposable/single-use PM2.5 set of 10 for $10.99. QUICK TO MARKET, SINGLE USE & NON-BIODEGRADABLE, PROVEN EFFECTIVE AGAINST VIRUSES
At the other end of the spectrum is a cotton filter that is more expensive, will take longer to bring to market and is not as proven.
Reusable antibacterial cotton filter - set of 4 for $12.00USD. SLOW TO MARKET, BIODEGRADABLE, EXPENSIVE and unproven.
Another option that has been popping up in DIY circles is the Coffee filter. It is - as yet - unproven, but it would be biodegradable and less expensive to produce.
Disposable paper filter (coffee filter type) - set of 20 for $5.99. REASONABLE SPEED TO MARKET, BIODEGRADABLE, UNPROVEN
Soooo, with this in mind, we're feeling that in light of the Pandemic, it makes most sense to get the PM2.5 filter to market as quickly as possible while we continue to look into the more sustainable options; both from an 'ecological footprint' perspective AND from a functionality perspective.
Comments
Definitely go with a biodegradable earth friendly option, because that’s what your company stands for and if you sell a synthetic version, it will harm your brand, and sully the perception that customers have, knowing they can buy from Etee, and there’s a guarantee of the product being earth-safe.
I’d go with the coffee filters until a more sustainable option is available. I use a CPAP machine and those filters work well.
Coffee filter
I saw a video that soaked them in salt water and dry them to add another layer of protection. The idea is that salt cures meat by killing germs creating a second barrier. It would do the same with the mask.
Can you sell the Hepa vacuum filters?
I am using coffee filters. I read about a month ago the statistics on coffee filters, hepa vacuum filters and other mediums. I believe coffee filters were in the 75% range. I belive the hepa vacuum filters were in the 85% range of protection. The article was a reliable source but I don’t remember where it is. I wish I could contribute more. For my family, the coffee filters we are using makes sense and feel the protection is enough with careful sanitizing and social distancing. Thanks for all you do! Lynn
Go with the coffee filter option. I have trouble breathing after wearing a mask for a length of time. There seems to be a carbon dioxide buildup. While a carbon filter might help it will make it more difficult to breathe.
I read that the coffee filters are fairly effective so I plan to use those.
I think speed is of the essence here, so I lean towards the coffee filter option for now, but keep working on a proven solution. Thanks for asking!
What about children’s masks? Please consider them in your designing department.
Not an answer to the question about filters but still informative: Old pantyhose tied on the outside of masks has proven useful in making masks substantially more effective by tightening the fit around nose, cheeks, chin. I’ve tried it and find the panty hose does not impede breathing any more than the mask itself does. Here’s a link to the article. https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/04/22/840146830/adding-a-nylon-stocking-layer-could-boost-protection-from-cloth-masks-study-find