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Disposable Masks Carry Environmental Cost: Benefits of Reusable Masks

The high monetary cost and environmental toll of disposable N95 masks could be dramatically cut by adopting reusable mask, suggest MIT researchers.

Disposable Masks Vs Reusable Masks

Face masks are crucial in the battle against covid-19 pandemic. Since the pandemic began last year, health experts been advising people to wear face masks, wash hands frequently, maintain physical distancing, to reduce the spread of Sars-CoV-2. While we now have COVID-19 vaccines, it is not sure yet how well the vaccines prevent spread of the virus. Moreover, several variants of coronavirus have now emerged, some of which spread more easily and are found to have the potential to escape the protection provided by the vaccines. For these reasons and more, it is advisable to continue wearing masks and follow other COVID-19 precautions in public. Disposable masks vs reusable masks: Which one is better?

Beware Of The Environmental Toll Of Disposable Masks

Disposable N95 masks have been in especially high demand, but these masks come with both financial and environmental costs. A new study from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) estimated that the Covid-19 pandemic is estimated to generate up to 7,200 tons of medical waste every day, much of which is disposable masks. In addition, the study published in BMJ Open stated that the majority of disposable masks have a significant environmental impact, and they take a very long time to degrade. Also Read - Chronic Kidney Disease: How diabetes and high blood pressure slowly damage your kidneys

Why Should You Go For Reusable Masks?

The high monetary cost and environmental toll of disposable N95 masks could be dramatically cut by adopting reusable mask, the MIT researchers suggested. Not just reusable masks are affordable, eco-friendly and effective, they come in a variety of styles. So, reusable masks, especially those with effective filters, are the ideal choice for regular people in everyday situations.

Reusable Silicone N95 Masks

Fully reusable silicone N95 masks could offer an even greater reduction in waste, they said. The MIT team is also working on developing a reusable silicone mask, for which they plan to seek regulatory approval later this year. Also Read - Is it normal to hear cracking sound from your body during exercise?

Decontaminating Regular N95 Masks

Decontaminating regular N95 masks so that health care workers can wear them for more than one day drops costs and environmental waste by at least 75 percent, compared to using a new mask for every encounter with a patient, according to the MIT researchers.

Masks Are Here To Stay

While vaccination has helped to reduce the spread of Covid-19, health care workers will likely continue to wear masks for the foreseeable future, to protect against not only Covid-19 but also other respiratory diseases such as influenza – noted senior author of the study Giovanni Traverso, an MIT assistant professor of mechanical engineering, a gastroenterologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Jacqueline Chu, a physician at Massachusetts General Hospital, and the lead author of the study, added Masks are here to stay for the foreseeable future, so it's critical that we incorporate sustainability into their use.” Wearing a face mask can also help protect you against other viral illnesses. Also Read - Men’s Health: How dehydration, poor sleep, stress and desk jobs are quietly damaging your health

How To Wear A Face Mask Properly

Clean your hands before you put your mask on, as well as before and after you take it off. Touch only the bands or ties when putting on and taking off your mask. The mask should cover your nose, mouth and chin. Make sure you can breathe and talk comfortably through your mask. Wash reusable masks after each use.