Mark James A.

Junsan STEM-12 C

CONCEPT PAPER

TITLE: Protect our health and planet: Using Fabric masks instead of medical masks.

The COVID19- pandemic has greatly affected our lives. It suddenly changed our habits,
perspectives, daily routines, and also our priorities. Due to the pandemic, many people suffered because
of poverty, unemployment, and adjustments to the new normal. Many of us using face masks and face
shields to protect ourselves from the COVID-19 virus. Wearing of face mask can protect you. But do you
think a face mask can also protect the beauty of the environment? This series of papers engage
environmental and health experts, addressing the negative effects of using a disposable face mask on
the environment and promoting the use of fabric mask instead. This paper is structured as follows: What
we know, what we don’t know, and what we can do to avoid the negative effects of using a disposable
face mask on the environment. (INTRODUCTION)

A disposable mask such as a surgical mask or medical mask is intended to be worn by

medical professionals during medical procedures to prevent airborne transmission of infections
between patients and the treating personnel. They act as an additional barrier for the airway and are
not usually designed to completely prevent the wearer from inhaling smaller airborne bacteria or
viruses, but could be still protective by filtering out and trapping most of the droplets that carry them
[1]. The material most commonly used to make surgical masks is polypropylene, either 20 or 25 grams
per square meter in density. Masks can also be made of polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyethylene, or
polyester [2]. These materials are neither eco-friendly nor cheap. We should dispose of it properly so
that it can’t affect the environment. This will cause plastic pollution when neglected.

A fabric face mask is a mask made of common textiles, usually cotton, worn over the mouth
and nose. Both masks significantly reduced the number of microorganisms, although the surgical mask
was 3 times more effective in blocking transmission than the homemade mask [3]. It is still
recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) to prevent onward transmission in the general
population in public areas, particularly where distancing is not possible, and in areas of community
transmission [4]. It is easy to make, long-lasting, affordable, and eco-friendly. It is washable and doesn’t
need to dispose of. (WHAT WE KNOW)

Wearing of face mask during a pandemic can be traced back to the 17th century. During the Black Death
plague pandemic in Europe, doctors wore beaked masks filled with perfumes and aromatics to protect
themselves from poisons spreading in the air. The materials used in making beaked masks were fabric
with dried flowers, spices, herbs, camphor, and others. The purpose of this mask was to remove bad
smells, thought to be the major cause of the disease. At present, there was no record of plastic pollution
way back to the 17th century. Various types of fabric masks (made of gauze, string, cotton, and other
fabrics) were used in US hospitals during the early 20th century. The rates of respiratory infections
among medical professionals who used these masks made of 2-3 layers of gauze were low [5]. Fabric
masks were also used to protect healthcare workers from diphtheria and scarlet fever. In the middle of
the 20th century, after disposable medical mask had been developed, the use of fabric masks decreased,
however it is still used during the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome in China, fabric masks
were widely used by healthcare workers and the general public, and observational studies found them
to be effective [6]. (WHAT WE DON’T KNOW)

The disposable mask is in demand in the market. Many individuals prefer this kind of mask
because it’s cheap and more protective than a fabric mask. Lack of knowledge in the disposal of a
disposable mask can trigger human health and especially in our environment. This paper will able to
address this scenario by educating people on how to dispose of the disposable mask properly, the
negative effects of using a disposable mask in the environment and encourage them to use fabric masks
instead. To reach everyone around the world, I'm going to make a website and infographic so they can
easily access information about my social campaign. I will also promote the use of #mask and
environment is must in social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. Let’s work
together to protect our health, our family, our front liners, our environment, and especially our planet.
(WHAT WE CAN DO)

References:

1) Sommerstein, R., Fux, CA., Widmer, A. (6 July 2020). "Risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission by aerosols,
the rational use of masks, and protection of healthcare workers from COVID-19". Antimicrobial
Resistance & Infection Control. 9 (1): 100. doi:10.1186/s13756-020-00763-0

2) https://www.flexpackmag.com/articles/90449-the-best-material-for-protective-
medicalfacemasks#:~:text=The%20material%20most%20commonly%20used,%2C%20polycarbonate%2C
%20polyethylene%20or%20polyester.

3) Bennett A., Davies A., et.al. (2013). Testing the efficacy of homemade masks: would they protect in an
influenza pandemic? Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 7(4):413-8. doi: 10.1017/dmp.2013.43.

4) (https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/coronavirus-disease-covid-19-
schools#:~:text=Fabric%20masks%20are%20recommended%20to,and%20disposed%20of%20properly.)

5) Weaver, GH. Droplet infection and its prevention by the face mask. J Infect Dis. 1919;24:218–30.

6) Yang P., Seale H., MacIntyre CR., Zhang H., Zhang Z., Zhang Y., et al. Mask-wearing and respiratory
infection in healthcare workers in Beijing, China. Braz J Infect Dis. 2011;15:102–8.