Surface Treatment of Non-woven Polypropylene Used in Personal Protective Equipment to Reduce SARS-CoV-2 Spread
- Justin Gangwish (Colorado State University)
- Abhishek Bhattacharjee (Colorado State University)
- Roberta Sabino (Colorado State University)
- Vignesh Manivasagam (Colorado State University)
- Yan Vivian Li (Colorado State University)
- Ketul C Popat (Colorado State University)
- Melissa Reynolds (Colorado State University)
- Susan P James (Colorado State University)
Abstract
The CDC recommends healthcare personnel who work with COVID-19 patients wear personal protective equipment to protect themselves from infection. Polypropylene (PP) is commonly used to make isolation gowns and N95 masks. Recent evidence has shown that PP, provides SARS-CoV-2 viability up to 72 hours. The non-woven PP used in face masks underwent three separate treatments with the following materials: oxygen plasma, polyethylene glycol, and hyaluronic acid. The material was then evaluated for its tensile properties, breathability, cytotoxicity, and ability to adsorb SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. The masks were breathable, non-cytotoxic, and adsorbed more spike protein than controls. This indicates they are potential methods to enhance masks against COVID-19.
Keywords: COVID-19, Materials Science
How to Cite:
Gangwish, J., Bhattacharjee, A., Sabino, R., Manivasagam, V., Li, Y. V., Popat, K. C., Reynolds, M. & James, S. P., (2022) “Surface Treatment of Non-woven Polypropylene Used in Personal Protective Equipment to Reduce SARS-CoV-2 Spread”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 79(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.16022
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