Comme vous le savez probablement déjà, etee signifie « tout est lié » . Notre objectif est que tous nos produits proviennent de la terre et y retournent, c'est-à-dire qu'ils utilisent des ingrédients biodégradables, éco-certifiés (non toxiques) et sans plastique.
Alors que nous sommes en pleine pandémie mondiale, nous sommes confrontés au défi de rester fidèles à notre mission tout en assurant la protection que les gens méritent.
Vous voyez, bien que nos masques s'inscrivent parfaitement dans cette mission (ils sont fabriqués en coton biologique certifié GOTS et sont réutilisables), il est recommandé d'utiliser un filtre pour garantir une protection maximale.
Nous avons donc examiné les options de filtration et la plus rapide à obtenir, la moins chère et la plus testée est le filtre jetable/à usage unique PM2.5 multicouche à charbon actif (avec des couches de tissu synthétique soufflé à l'état fondu), MAIS il est à usage unique et ne se biodégradera pas de sitôt.
Lot de 10 masques PM2.5 jetables/à usage unique pour 10,99 $. Commercialisation rapide, à usage unique et non biodégradable, efficacité prouvée contre les virus.
À l'autre extrémité du spectre se trouve le filtre en coton, plus cher, dont la mise sur le marché sera plus longue et dont l'efficacité n'est pas aussi éprouvée.
Filtres en coton antibactérien réutilisables - lot de 4 pour 12,00 $ US. Commercialisation lente, biodégradables, chers et efficacité non prouvée.
Une autre option qui fait son apparition dans les cercles de bricolage est le filtre à café. Son efficacité reste à prouver, mais il serait biodégradable et moins coûteux à produire.
Filtres en papier jetables (type filtre à café) - lot de 20 pour 5,99 $. Mise sur le marché rapide, biodégradables, efficacité non prouvée.
Donc, compte tenu de cela, et au vu de la pandémie, il nous semble plus judicieux de commercialiser le filtre PM2.5 le plus rapidement possible tout en continuant à étudier des options plus durables, tant du point de vue de l'empreinte écologique que du point de vue de la fonctionnalité.
commentaires
Unless your masks fit tight against the face they are not going to be much more than minimally effective at preventing watery and larger droplets from dispersing. With that in mind, a filter doesn’t have to be top of the line either (in fact would be wasted). It would be good to know whether a filter adds anything – and how much – to the protection offered by your masks. I would personally go for the biodegradable coffee-filter option if it helped at all. After that, something organic and re-usable/washable, and then you’d need to have a couple to ensure you always had one ready.
I use an HVAC filter material by 3M called Filtrete 2800. You have to disassemble the screen to harvest the material but it yields enough to do many masks. Here is a link – https://www.iallergy.com/products/3m-filtrete-2800-ultrafine-filter?variant=40855857033. I have not tried washing it but the material can be sterilized/cleaned by putting it in a 170 degree Fahrenheit oven with a pan of water for about 30 minutes. I do manage to get a full rectangle of the material into the Etee mask through the hole. A bigger hole would be helpful!
I would sell the disposible PM2.5 at this time as they are proven to be effective until you see what the results from the reusable cotton one and add that later as and additional option
I’m using double-thickness cotton masks I made myself for right now, going out so infrequently where there’s anybody else. When/if this virus thing roars back for its second (+) round of infection, and we’ve adapted to going about fairly “normal” lives but with face shields, I’ll be glad to know where to get info from your studies of less expensive but biodegradable filters.
We used a hepa filter from our Kerby vacuum. It cuts up to easily fit the pocket in our mask and we can hand wash them. We was our cotton masks in the clothes washing machine and then use our dryer to complete our process.
I’m still waiting for my masks (from you) to arrive. Ask me again after I receive them please.
I’ve just read that cotton and silk works well in combination. My only complaint about your cotton masks is that they don’t have a wire in them to shape around my nose to prevent my glasses from steaming up. My vote is to keep masks as earth-friendly as possible.
It does not make much sense to create sustainable filters for others to buy without knowing whether it helps. At best, it works to filter in a sustainable manner as well as PM2.5 or at least better with no filter. At worst, it does nothing but create a false sense of security and wastes money.
I’ve been using the coffee filter option until I could source out something better, but that’s been difficult. I’d be happy if I could get PM 2.5s from you, but also like the idea of having something like the cotton filter if it could last longer and/or be washed and reused.