The nonwovens and related industries play a major role in producing materials essential to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
The nonwovens and related industries play a major role in producing materials essential to reduce the spread of COVID-19. From disinfecting wipes to face mask and personal protective materials.
EDANA’s industry message to the EU Commission
In these unprecedented times, the Nonwovens and Related Industries are proving to be an essential partner in the fight against the corona virus pandemic. In consequence, EDANA – as the European nonwovens industry association – has been working closely with the services of the European Commission to find solutions to the continued provision of the essential medical and protective equipment and to any bottleneck in the supply chain.
The availability of disposable hygiene and medical products to the general public, hospitals and care homes, is an essential element in the fight against COVID-19.
EDANA have sent a letter to the European Commission, requesting its support in working with Member States to ensure that all production facilities where these products are manufactured are kept fully operational in the interest of public health.
What you need to know about single-use medical face masks and protective masks
In the current efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, there are 2 types of masks that can be recommended.
MEDICAL FACE MASKS
The transmission of infective agents during surgical procedures in operating theatres and in other medical settings can occur in several ways.
The main intended use of medical face masks is :
- to protect the patient from infective agents and,
- additionally, in certain circumstances to protect the wearer against splashes of potentially contaminated liquids or aerosols
Medical face masks may also be intended to be worn by patients and other persons to reduce the risk of spread of infections, particularly in epidemic or pandemic situations. Indeed, a medical face mask with an appropriate microbial barrier can also be effective in reducing the emission of infective agents from the nose and mouth of an asymptomatic carrier or a patient with clinical symptoms.
(The medical face masks fall under the Medical Device Regulation – under the European standard EN 14683 type II or, with additional splash protection type IIR . The European Standard EN 14683 specifies requirements and test methods for medical face masks to limit the emission and transmission of infective agents.)
PPE MASKS (Personal Protective Equipment Mask)
Their main purpose is protection of the wearer. These PPE masks
- filter the inhaled air protecting the wearer and some types also filter the exhaled air (protection towards the outside)
- have levels recommended by the WHO (World Health Organization):
-The FFP2 filters over 92% of the suspended particles
-The FFP3 arrive at values equal to or greater than 98%;
- must fit tightly to the face and be worn correctly
- must be worn mainly by healthcare personnel as indicated by WHO
(Respiratory protective masks fall under Personal Protective Regulation. European standard EN 149 specifies performance requirements and test methods for FFP2 masks, or alternatively FFP3 (American similar standard protection levels are N95 / N99)
Wipes and COVID-19
Which wipes to use and how to use them
Wipes are easy to use and an effective means for cleaning hands and various hard surfaces. Through their convenience they facilitate high standards of hygiene.. Disinfecting wipes are a special category of wipes, designed to effectively kill germs improving safety in challenging environments.
To know if you are using the right wipes look at the packaging. True antibacterial wipes have a clear and substantiated claim on the pack.
For disinfecting wipes to be effective, proceed as follows:
- Take the contact time into account, the time the liquid in the wipe is in contact with the germs needs to be sufficiently long.
- Accuracy during the cleaning action is important: missing certain areas on the surface (or the skin) will lead to remaining germs to quickly multiply again.
How to dispose of used wipes
The majority of wipes, and disinfectant wipes in particular, are not meant to be flushed. To help inform consumers about which wipes should not be flushed, EDANA have developed a “Do Not Flush” symbol for companies to use on packaging.
Be sure to look for it and read and follow all disposal instructions. By doing so, you help prevent costly clogs in your home and in the wastewater system, and by disposing wipes properly, you also help our environment.