New High-Tech ‘Air Mask’ Unveiled By Scientists
Researchers have introduced an innovative “air mask” designed to safeguard against infectious diseases in workplace settings.
This novel mask employs an air curtain that flows downward from the brim of a hard hat, effectively shielding a worker’s eyes, nose, and mouth from airborne viruses, according to laboratory tests that demonstrate its capability to block 99.8% of viruses.
“This air curtain technology is meticulously engineered to shield wearers from airborne pathogens by using treated air as a barrier. This air has been processed to deactivate any pathogens present, rendering them incapable of causing infection if inhaled,” explained Herek Clack, an associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Michigan.
Clack emphasized the unprecedented level of protection offered against airborne germs, enhanced by improved ergonomic design. The prototype, developed by University of Michigan startup Taza Aya, features a backpack weighing approximately 10 pounds. This backpack houses technology that purifies ordinary air before channeling it to the hard hat, where it is emitted as an air curtain.
The development of this air mask was prompted by disruptions in agriculture during the pandemic and potential future threats like avian flu outbreaks in animals at stockyards or processing plants. Unlike traditional paper masks worn by workers in meat processing plants during the pandemic, which often hinder communication on noisy production lines and can shift or fog up, the air mask remains stable and clear.
Real-world trials at Michigan Turkey Producers in Wyoming, Mich., a processing plant with hundreds of employees, have been promising. Tina Conklin, vice president of technical services at Michigan Turkey, highlighted the communication challenges posed by conventional masks during COVID-19 and expressed optimism about the potential benefits of the new technology.
Taza Aya aims to launch the “Worker Wearable” commercially in 2025 following successful field tests, according to startup CEO Alberto Elli. This initiative seeks to address critical occupational health concerns and improve workplace safety amid evolving challenges in infectious disease management.
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