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
We purchased your masks and are already using coffee filters with them. The small pocket that your masks have sewn in are very small and make it difficult to insert. We fold them in half and open them once they’re in…not that easy to do. It would be good if you made the pocket larger to accommodate whatever filter you choose.
I like the coffee filter option. I’m “high risk” due to being age 68 but realize the purpose of mask wearing is to protect others vs. myself so economical vs. efficacy is fine, especially when biodegradable. That’s my vote!
Considering the options and the reasons, at this point I think using the carbon filters with an announcement that we’re working on finding a biodegradable option is the right choice. That this is being done in order to help people when alternatives aren’t readily available. I think people will ‘get it’.
Have received my masks. Didn’t realize there was a pocket for a filter. Looked and found the slit in the middle of the back there, it would definitely be a challenge to get a filter through that opening. I’m using it when out in public, shopping, etc. and in the office when necessary. I would think that people in some sort of direct medical care position would be wanting a better overall seal than these masks can provide. (Like the N95s.) Is there some study that indicates how much more protection a filter adds to this type of mask design or is it a ‘more has to be better’ approach? Comparing the etee mask with the similar looking single layer disposable blue surgical masks, I’m wondering if the etee mask, ‘as is,’ with its dual layers of cotton is providing more protection than those disposables? (Glad to be taking part in etee’s buy one, donate one program.)
Your cotton filter looks like a few layers of woven cotton bandaging pads. That would be easy to make and probably cheaper.
Since rebreathing your own carbon dioxide is not healthy, you might consider something with a respirator for all day wear. Don’t know if that can be incorporated with a washable mask. I will be out all day for a medical procedure in a few weeks, and am concerned about wearing a mask that long.
I’m not interested in the disposable option or the coffee filter option (I can make that myself), and the reusable filter would be OK but I could make those myself too. Here is a story from NPR about nylon stockings repurposed as filters—surprisingly they work pretty well:
https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/04/22/840146830/adding-a-nylon-stocking-layer-could-boost-protection-from-cloth-masks-study-find
Might be an idea you could use.
Why do we need a filter to begin with? The mask is to protect others, not yourself. If you want to protect yourself you need a medical grade mask (mind it’s quite difficult to breathe wearing that one, especially if you’re active), you need to shield your eyes, and then follow strict protocols. How many people are actually going to do that?
I have recently read an article about the most effective materials for mask air filtration in Business Insider – https://www.businessinsider.com/the-materials-that-filter-particles-best-in-homemade-masks-testing-2020-4
This says that using blue shop towels as filters can improve filtration and provides a two mask patterns.
Filters are a balance of a few things, I think. Comfort is one thing because if you aren’t breathing comfortably, you are less likely to use the filter. The most effective filter is still only as effective as the fit of the mask which is relative in cotton masks and varies with face size and shape. Given that cloth masks will unlikely reach a filtration level of an N95 as there are no seals around the mask, I think the cotton filter is the most desirable combination of sustainability, reasonable protection, and comfort.
Best to go with the proving when it comes to a breathing health issue. I would also look into vacuum cleaner bag material I have heard that that has close to an N 95 rating. I do not know if those are recyclable though.