• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.16 no.12
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• pp.571-577
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• 2018

Bicycle riders complain of many inconveniences when wearing glasses, sunglasses and masks. The disposable fine dust mask has been developed to resolve such inconveniences of bicycle riders. The scope of research is limited to the fiber which generates one-time static electricity and the shape of the mask due to the characteristic of fine dust mask. The purpose is to design and make the fine dust mask with a simple production process. The new disposable fine dust mask has secured enough space of the mask in front of the mouth by longitudinal folding and minimized stuffiness by maintaining the shape of the folded part to prevent touching the mouth even by heavy breathing. The streamlined sponge is attached at the part of nose support and the area of the cheek has been expanded to be about 2.5cm wider than ordinary masks to improve tight seal at the side. In addition, a new disposable fine dust scarf mask has been developed to block ultraviolet rays for the face and neck while filtering fine dust with the tight fine dust mask.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.930-940
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• 2019

This study analyzes the facial data required for sheet design in order to pursue the facial compatibility of disposable sheets used in facial mask products that are increasing in popularity as self-care methods. The subjects of the study were 23 facial measurements of 1,001 women in their 20s to 60s from Size Korea's 6th 3D data. Through factor analysis, sheet-related facial measurements were collected into six factors included in the vertical length of each part of the face: length of face surface from the ear to each part of the face, width of eyes, nose, lips, length of nose, vertical length of lower face, width of the head and width of chin. Three sheet face types were classified using six factor scores as variables, and the characteristics of each type differed according to age group. As a result of the discriminant analysis to identify the dimension items that classify the three cluster types, 12 contributing items were extracted out of 23 items. This study provides useful information and data for further studies of products requiring facial fitness.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.48-56
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• 2024

Objectives: The coronavirus pandemic that began in 2019(COVID-19) has been one of the worst pandemics of the 21st century. Masks have been used to prevent COVID-19, but there are currently no standards for the long-term use of masks in the Republic of Korea. This study was conducted to assess the microbiological safety of KF94(Korea Filter 94) disposable face masks according to wearing duration by evaluating the bacterial filtration efficiencies of masks worn by research participants. Methods: A commercially available KF94 mask certified by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety(MFDS) in the Republic of Korea was selected as the test mask. The research participants(n = 15) wore masks for the durations of one, three, and seven days. Participants also reported several parameters, including wearing time, makeup frequency, and storage. Bacterial filtration efficiencies of the worn masks were measured by a mask bioaerosol filtration tester. Staphylococcus aureus(S. aureus) was used as the test bacteria and quantitatively measured through the cultivation method. Then, bacterial filtration efficiency was calculated using the formula suggested by the MFDS. Results: All worn masks showed over 99.98% of mean bacterial filtration efficiency for S. aureus. There were no significant differences among bacterial filtration efficiencies of face masks according to wearing duration. There was also no significant difference among bacterial filtration efficiencies among participants. There was no correlation between the results of bacterial filtration efficiencies and reported parameters from participants. Conclusions: In the absence of significant external damage to the mask, the bacterial filtration efficiency of the mask can be maintained even after seven days of wearing. This result suggests that KF94 masks certified by the MFDS can be used repeatedly for about a week without loss of bacterial filtration efficiency.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.406-414
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• 2021

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.

• The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.31-39
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• 2023

Purpose: As SARS-CoV-2, which was the main cause of the global pandemic, has repeatedly mutated in various forms, the threat of the virus has decreased considerably, and the spread has also subsided. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the change in the role of masks and sustainable mask consumption according to the change in perception of wearing masks during the pandemic. Research design, data and methodology: This study used a descriptive review method as a literature review, and utilized the literature search method in PubMed, Riss, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. Among them, a total of 46 papers were selected in the final stage. Results: As a result, it can be seen that during the pandemic, masks changed their roles according to social trends as their perceptions changed from general perceptions of protecting from external environments or diseases to fashion items with quarantine functions. Conclusions: Masks will be continuously consumed as one of the fashion items with the function of quarantine that protects the respiratory tract from the external environment that is indispensable in our daily lives. Therefore, measures should be taken on sustainable consumption measures according to consumer demand for disposable masks.