How can disposable medical masks be recycled?

Since the outbreak of the epidemic, masks, as an artifact for self-protection and isolation protection, have become hard currency for a while. At present, most pharmacies are out of stock on the market. The rework deadline is getting closer and closer, and the demand for masks by many reworked workplace partners is getting stronger and stronger. But it is true that the production capacity is limited, and it is a one-time use thing. The factory works overtime and cannot meet the current demand. So with the government calling on us to use masks sparingly, many friends do recycle disposable masks, how can we scientifically extend the service life of disposable masks?

What is the correct way to recycle disposable masks? Now, let's share with our friends how to extend the service life of disposable masks. I hope you can actively forward it and let more people know about it. First of all, point out the common wrong way of recycling disposable masks: fumigation with water vapor at high temperature. This is completely wrong. Recycling disposable masks must not touch water! Never touch water! Never touch water!

Let me explain the reason to you. To know the reason, let's first understand the protection principle of masks. Taking KN95 (national standard) masks as an example, KN95 masks can filter particles with a diameter of 0.3µm or more than 95%, yes At present, the protective effect of the mask, why its filtering effect is so strong, the core reason lies in the principle of electrostatic adsorption. Tear open the KN95 mask, and inside is a layer of polypropylene melt-blown non-woven fabric. This polypropylene melt-blown non-woven fabric is a kind of ultra-fine electrostatic fiber, which is characterized by electrostatic adsorption capacity.





When the airflow you breathe passes through the non-woven fabric, the air passes normally, and all the dust and toxic droplets are electrostatically adsorbed. After the air dust is electrostatically adsorbed, it is extremely difficult to get rid of it, and it is impossible to clean it. As long as the static electricity is present, the dust and germs will always be there. If the static electricity is gone, the mask will be useless and become an ordinary cotton mask. Static electricity is afraid of water. Many small partners wash the masks with water or fumigate them with high temperature water vapor and reuse them. It is pure ignorance. At present, the materials of disposable masks on the market are almost all made of polypropylene meltblown cloth. If it touches water, the mask will basically have no protective effect.

So how do we properly recycle disposable masks? 1. How to increase the usage time of disposable masks Wear ordinary gauze or cotton masks inside, and then wear disposable medical masks outside. Since the disposable mask is not affected by saliva and steam, you can hang the disposable mask in a ventilated place after returning home, so that the service life of the disposable mask that can only be worn for 4 hours can be extended to 3-5 sky.