As we enter the second year of the Covid-19 pandemic, donning face masks daily and covering up half our faces has, unfortunately, become the new normal. One particular segment of the mask-making industry, though, is offering a rather new experience. In place of cloth and surgical masks, they are promoting new versions that offer full views of our faces – in other words, transparent face masks.
Designed with a transparent window over the mouth and nose area, this style of masks allows wearers to convey facial expressions and improve their communications and yet – purportedly – staying safe. These see-through designs have been promoted in many corners as particularly benefiting those in industries that require frequent face-to-face interactions, such as medical consultations and classroom lectures, and more importantly for those who rely on lip-reading and facial expressions for communication, such as the hearing impaired. But the big question on everyone’s mind is: Is it safe? And in the case of the products below, the answer is almost unequivocally: Yes!
The ClearMask™ brand is the first fully transparent mask to be approved by the US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA). The product was designed with healthcare settings in mind, such as operating rooms, dental and veterinary procedures, as well as serving professionals working with children where visual communication and emotional development are essential. The device is disposable and is for single use. However the breathability and effectiveness in crowded areas may cause for concern, not to mention it isn’t the most stylish piece of accessory for casual use.
According to Mayo Clinic, the most effective disposable face masks are made with materials with much smaller pore sizes to cloth and synthetic materials, such as the N95 and KN95 masks which acts as respirators against both large and small microorganisms. Stated in a research published on the National Library of Medicine, N95 and KN95 filters can filter up to 94.4 percent of particles as small as 0.3 μm, 21 percent more than surgical masks.
One such example for a transparent mask that offers high performance filtration is the reusable and easy-to-clean Civility transparent lightweight face mask. Made in France with a Thermo-Plastic Elastomer which provides a comfortable and 98 percent seal against 0.3μm pathogens. The breathability and effectiveness of the product allows for 12 hours of filtered air. Changing its ISO certified filters by DGA, an independent organization, is as easy as removing the filters on the external valves and replacing them with a new one, making the mask a convenient protective accessory on-the-go.
However, a more advanced alternative by Cliu might be the ticket – a mask that meets both smart technology and lifestyle demands. Made with sustainable materials and fitted with an activated carbon filter (a non-medical material produce filtration efficiencies of 90.2 percent and 93 percent for 0.3 μm particles as stated in a research published on National Library of Medicine), it offers wearers an option for a comfortable, breathable and sustainable face mask that is recyclable at the end of its lifespan. The device also features UV disinfection, anti-fog material, and even a window that can be seamlessly opened when eating or drinking. What’s more, its smart-tech design can connect to a dedicated app to inform wearers of its breathing quality, filter consumption and any presence of nearby Covid-19 outbreaks.