Research

The hairs in the nose act as the first line of defence to trap the virus in the
normal nose breathing human.
The second defensive barrier is the cilia, little hair-like projections that line the
respiratory tract. These trap the viral particles that have made it past the nose. More
importantly, the cilia also propel mucus and debris up and out of the lungs (in the
opposite direction) in an attempt to rid the body of the viral particles. This self-
cleaning mechanism is called the mucociliary escalator. (Probably TMI!). These
mechanisms keep the lungs healthy.

Disposable masks contain polypropylene – a form of plastic – and therefore it

could be the next biggest environmental hazard. A disposable mask is a mask
which cannot be washed or reused. These masks are meant for single-use and are
disposed off after one use. These masks do not lend themselves to reuse because
they work by trapping harmful particles inside the mesh of fibres of which they are
made off. The most frequently used material to make the disposable mask is
polypropylene, either 20 or 25 gsm (grams per square meter) in density. Frontline
COVID-19 warriors and people employed in the essential services have relied on
plastic-based, single-use personal protective equipment (PPE) like masks and
gowns to shield themselves from the coronavirus. This has resulted in a mountain
of plastic waste which continues to grow with each passing day. If more than 90 per
cent of the population resorts to using reusable masks, leaving it to be used only by
the frontline health workers, what we are looking at then in the near future is a
controllable issue and not an uncontrollable one.
So, there are certain things that one should keep in mind while buying a mask. The
material, comfort, layers offered are the foremost features one should look for while
buying a face mask. To be effective these masks should cover your nose, mouth,
and chin and are secured with elastic loops or ties, including multiple layers,
washable and reusable. The material must be skin-friendly and fits exactly to one’s
face.
 Words
Disposable
Plastic
Air
Cover
Shed
Waste
Respiration
Virus

Material
 wet-laid hydroentangled nonwovens can be used as cleaning materials for personal hygiene care
applications.

Bio Inspiration
SHED
1. molting process in which an animal sheds and replaces the outer covering of the
body, such as the exoskeleton in arthropods
2. dormancy state in which a plant slows down cellular activity and may shed its leaves

Bibliography

 https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/health/covid-19-how-disposable-mask-could-be-
the-next-biggest-hazard/2137443/
 https://workshelter.co/our-solution-to-disposable-mask-pollution/
