"Washable 'Eco Mask' Developed with KF80 Performance Maintained"
by Jo Inkyung
Published 01 Dec.2020 06:00(KST)
[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] A mask that maintains KF80-level performance even after washing with water has been developed.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Seoul Institute of Technology announced on the 1st that they have developed the 'Seoul Eco Mask,' a washable mask using 'PTFE(Poly Tetra Fluoro Ethylene) mask filter' technology.
In order to discover and develop mask filter technology that can replace MB (Melt Blown) filters, the city commissioned the Seoul Institute of Technology in March to hold a contest for MB alternative filter technology for health masks. Through this, the PTFE material-based mask filter technology proposed by Micro One Co., Ltd., a specialized filter manufacturer, was finally selected.
PTFE is a type of non-toxic synthetic resin known by the brand name 'Gore-Tex,' and it has performance comparable to KF94 masks. In washing durability tests conducted by the Seoul Institute of Technology and the Korea Construction Living Environment Test Institute, excellent fine dust filtration performance at the KF80 level was confirmed even after two washes.
The 'Seoul Eco Mask,' which applies this PTFE filter, differs from MB filters that use static electricity to filter fine dust by using pores approximately 1 micrometer (㎛) in size, allowing it to be reused after washing. Additionally, unlike general health masks, it is not sensitive to humidity, making it easy to store and allowing for long-term storage.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Seoul Institute of Technology will conduct an online survey until the 14th to gather citizens' opinions on the willingness to use the Seoul Eco Mask and appropriate pricing. Anyone can participate through the Seoul EmVoting app and website.
Han Je-hyun, Director of the Seoul Safety General Office, said, "In the current situation where the nationwide COVID-19 crisis alert is at a severe level, wearing masks is the easiest and most certain vaccine to prevent and stop the spread of infectious diseases." He added, "The Seoul Eco Mask developed with new technology is washable, which will minimize both the economic burden on citizens and environmental pollution."