Rationale

The manufacturing of plastic and the disposal of face masks made of plastic might expose
people to hazardous chemicals that may have an impact on hormones and induce neurotoxicity
(PMC, 2022). According to EuropeanUnion (2023) given the continued appearance of SARS-
COV-2 variations and the rise in the incidence of exposure to extreme air pollution, such as that
caused by wildfires, plastic masks are expected to remain in use for a long time. Sometimes,
these disposable masks end up in landfills or pollute streams as they travel through the
environment (Sciencedirect, 2021). Thus, some researchers looked into the feasibility of using
phormium (New Zealand Fax) fibers to make face masks as a solution to this waste issue.
The researchers Dwi Umi Siswanti and Tiara Putri (2022) focused on creating an eco-
friendly face masks using pineapple leaves as fiber. According to them, face masks can remain
for decades in the environment decomposed. Just for it to become small micro plastic and Nano
plastic, it can take up to centuries. Pineapple leaves as fibers contain 70% cellulose, which can
make the pineapple leaves face mask easier to degrade as it only takes 3 days to start the
degrading process of microcosm such as fungi and bacteria. Pineapple leaves fiber is 10 times
much rough than cotton which contains cellulose, hemicelluloses and linen that can make it light.
This also means that the degrading process of pineapple leaves face mask are not harmful to the
environment.
The researchers in this study looked for a great alternative for pineapple as fibers.
According to MDPI (2023) phormium or fax can also be a good material to make eco-friendly
face masks. Their study stated that using cottonized bleach flax and cotton fiber can be a great
alternative to replace one of the three layers of polypropylene layers of face mask.

Objectives
General Objective: To determine if phormium (New Zealand Fax) are good materials for face
mask.
Specific Objectives:
1. To convert the phormium into fiber by scratching the leaves.
2. To conduct a biodegradability test by burying the face mask on soil and check how
quickly it decompose.
3. To determine if this product is better than a surgical face mask by checking how tightly it
is weaved under a microscope.

Statement of the Problem

 According to ScienceDirect (2021) face masks has been a wide problem since the COVID-
19 started. The production of face masks and the uses of them has resulted to a great amount of
trash pollution that could end up to landfills, streams and even the ocean. Face masks can turn to
micro plastics which humans can inhale (PMC, 2022).

Significance of the Study

The results of this study will benefit not just the people in the society, but also the
surroundings. It can benefit the people by giving protection as well as keeping the surroundings
clean because it can decompose by bacteria or other living organisms. Considering the fact that
people nowadays do not dispose their trash properly, this can be a great change to help the
society. Due to COVID-19, a lot of people have been wearing face masks since 2019 and as time
goes by, the face masks that they have been using has been a big problem for the society. To help
with this problem, the researchers are aiming for a much safer alternative for everyone and
everywhere.

Methodology
Materials
Phormium
When treated carefully, phormium has a creamy white colour, good lustre, fair strength, and
flexibility. That is why phormium was picked to be used as facemask. It is also abundant In the
Philippines where the research is conducted.

Procedure

To start the making of the face mask first; turn the phormium into fiber by scraping.
Scraping is the process of removing the fiber from the sheaths of leaves. This is done by first
cutting the top and bottom of the leaf off to get even pieces then score the leaf half way in the
middle . Then from the middle where the score is we scrape it. Scrape a small bit first and then
loop it and then scrape the rest. Do it again on the other side. After the process what you are left
with is thin silvery strips off fiber. The fibers are then placed under the sun to dry for three days.
 After making the facemask we will conduct the biodegradability test by burying the
facemask under soil .

(2022). Adverse environmental effects of disposable face masks due to the excess usage.
PubMed Central https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9233961/
(2023). Development of a Layer Made of Natural Fibers to Improve the Ecological Performance
of the Face Mask Type II. MDPI https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/16/16/5668
(2023). Disposable plastic face masks found effective for 40 hours of use. EuropeanUnion
https://environment.ec.europa.eu/news/disposable-plastic-face-masks-found-effective-40-
hours-use-2023-03-29_en
(2021). Environmental challenges induced by extensive use of face masks during COVID-19: A
review and potential solutions. Sciencedirect
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667010021000184
(2022). Why pineapple leaves are a promising candidate to replace plastic materials used in
single-use masks. https://theconversation.com/why-pineapple-leaves-are-a-promising-
candidate-to-replace-plastic-materials-used-in-single-use-masks-184306