Fashion & Textile Research Journal (한국의류산업학회지)

The Society of Fashion and Textile Industry (한국의류산업학회)
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Effects of Heating and UV Sterilization of Repeatedly Reused Face Masks on Inhalation Resistance and Fiber Structure

보건용 마스크 재사용을 위한 가열과 자외선 살균이 마스크의 안면부 흡기저항 및 섬유구조에 미치는 영향

  • Jung, Jae-Yeon (Dept. of Textiles, Merchandising, and Fashion Design, Seoul National University) ;
  • Lee, Joo-Young (Dept. of Textiles, Merchandising, and Fashion Design, Seoul National University)
  • Received : 2021.05.11
  • Accepted : 2021.06.11
  • Published : 2021.06.30
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Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the inhalation resistance(IR) and fiber structure of disposable masks when exposed to repeated heating and ultraviolet(UV) sterilization. The experiments consisted of a lab-scale and a field test. For the lab-scale test, KF94 and N95 masks were selected and a trial was composed of three repetitions of an 80-min sterilization. For the field test, a subject participated over four days, of which a KF94 was worn without sterilization, and the same trial was conducted during the next four days with daily sterilization. The results showed that the IR of the KF94 mask(9.5 Pa) gradually increased according to the sterilization up to the second repetition(15.6 Pa) but decreased at the third treatment(9.7 Pa). However, the N95 mask did not showany tendency of IR during the repetitions. Microscope photos showed several warped or blackened fibers in the stiffener layer after the repeated sterilization. After wearing a KF94 mask for four consecutive days, its IR decreased until the three days but increased the fourth day, whereas another KF94 mask with sterilization showed an increase in IR for the four days. In the microscope-photos after the consecutive four days, outside fibers and stiffener layers were warped or became less dense. In summary, the IR of the KF94 mask slightly increased through the three~four rounds of heating and UV sterilizations, but the fiber structures were not significantly deformed by the repeated sterilization. To reduce discarded mask waste, the repeated sterilization of masks can be recommended.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

본 연구는 식품의약품안전처의 '보건용 마스크의 안전관리 평가기술 개발 연구' 과제 (20172MFDS258)로 지원받았습니다. 본 연구의 행정 업무 및 영문 교정을 도와 준 허윤정, 오지영, Andrew Gorski에게 감사의 마음을 전합니다.

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