Redesigning Air Pollution Apparel

Introducing the newest design in air pollution apparel! This face mask design is meant to fit over the user’s face, from the bottom of the chin to the nasal root depression between the eyes. Thin layers of Teflon are stacked and stitched between two outer layers of nylon in the front of the mask. Open spaces are cut into the layers of nylon in order to allow the air to pass through to the Teflon filter and reach the mouth and nose of the user more easily.

Teflon is chosen as the filtration material because a recent research report on reducing exposure to air pollution listed Teflon as an industry standard for air filtration [1]. Utilizing multiple layers of Teflon stacked together would increase filtration of the smallest of air pollutants, such as PM2.5. Nylon is chosen due to its elasticity, being able to stretch and contour to the user’s face. It is also chosen to present a sleek design that users will not feel uncomfortable wearing. A soft cushion of polyurethane surrounds the outer rim of the face mask in order to create a small space between the user’s face and the mask, as well as to enhance the overall comfort of the user. A small valve is attached to the bottom of the mask, restricting air flow into the valve while letting air flow out. This is beneficial towards the longevity of the Teflon filter as well as for allowing sound waves to travel out of the mask for clear communication.

The most important factor in an air pollution mask is a tight seal between the mask and the face, this tight seal is created by an elastic strap holding the front of the mask in place. The seal is ensured by designing the strap length to be slightly smaller than the size of an average adult human head. For example, the average human head is about 53 - 57 cm in circumference. If a diameter (d) of 14.5 cm is chosen for the nylon strap (see design sketch), the resulting circumference (2πr or πd) is (14.5 cm)(3.14159) = 45.55 cm.

Sources

[1] J. P. Langrish et al., “Beneficial cardiovascular effects of reducing exposure to particulate air pollution with a simple facemask,” Centre for Cardiovascular Sci., Edinburgh University, Edinburgh, Res. Rep. (10.1186/1743-8977-6-8) March, 2009

Link: //www.particleandfibretoxicology.com/content/6/1/8

Pollutant Penetrance Graph: //www.particleandfibretoxicology.com/content/6/1/8/figure/F2