03/12/2021 3:19 PM
Clarín.com
Society
Updated 03/12/2021 3:47 PM
At a time when the outbreak of Coronavirus and the proliferation of new strains threatens to be a reality in the coming months, scientists from Conicet, the UBA and the University of San Martín (Unsam) launched a
new "super-chin" Atom Protect
with capacity filter of more than 97% for powders and droplets.
It is the
Atom Protect N95 Plus
(FFP2)
chinstrap
, which "exceeds the original model in filtering capacity and contains
four layers of protection,
" reported the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.
The
As with the original design, launched in August 2020, it is purchased through the official website, for a
minimum quantity of 10 units that are worth $ 4,990, a
thousand pesos more than the previous version.
Unlike the first version, this one
is not washable
, but it has a
nasal adjustment
, and they recommend a maximum use of
five days in a row
and
a maximum of
10 hours of daily use
.
The N95 Plus can be used for up to 10 hours per day.
"We believe that
we are responding to the challenges posed by this pandemic
by echoing the new international requirements regarding personal protection elements," said the developer group made up of Silvia Goyanes, Roberto Candal, Griselda Polla, Ana Maria Llois.
The chinstrap is composed of
a semi-waterproofing outer layer
that slows the entry of microdroplets, a
second layer of woven
cotton polyester fabric with the same
antiviral active ingredients
as the first chinstrap model and a
third physical filter made of non-woven fabric
with a filtering capacity. .
The composition of the new Atom Protect N95 Plus chinstrap.
The product is
97.1%
certified
by Nelson Labs - a leading provider of laboratory tests located in the United States -
for powders
starting at 0.1 µm (microns) and has a filtration efficiency against aqueous aerosols of
99.9%
sodium chloride
, compared to 70% in the previous model
.
It should be noted, on the other hand, that the N95 PLUS chinstrap obtained the
certification granted by the European Economic Community.
In the middle of last year, the research team developed two products: one
antiviral, bactericidal and fungicidal and another bactericidal
, to be applied on polyester cotton fabrics to manufacture
"Atom Protect version 1"
chinstraps for social use
.
The specialists explained that "these fabrics are designed to prevent the spread of the disease by the person who uses them, but they are also used to protect the user from splashes or sprays of blood or body fluids," the Ministry said in a release.
Thus, the chinstraps made with these fabrics
prevent the accumulation of viruses, bacteria or fungi generated by the respiratory exhalation of the
user
and that received from the outside.
The N95 Plus has a filtration efficiency against aqueous aerosols of 99.9%, compared to 70% for the previous model.
"They also manage to inactivate viruses on the surface of the chinstrap and reduce the viral load sent or received from the environment," specifies a document published on the Ministry's website.
"Unlike the original version,
the N95 PLUS chinstraps present an additional physical filter made of non-woven fabric that increases the filtering capacity against dust and droplets
, according to the latest international indications regarding protection against SARS-CoV- 2. Additionally, it presents a malleable nasal adjustment device to improve closure ”, explains the working group.
The working group, led by Silvia Goyanes, Roberto Candal, Griselda Polla and Ana María Llois, also includes researchers, researchers, fellows and fellows from IFIBA-DF-UBA, IIIA-UNSAM, ANPCyT and CONICET.
“We feel great satisfaction because this project helped protect the population and contributed to raising awareness about the use of chinstraps in this pandemic.
It also helped the scientific-technological system to reach society en masse ”, the team agrees.
Look also
Everything you need to know about the Conicet's "super chin" that kills the coronavirus
A CNEA report questioned the Conicet chinstraps, but their creators defend their effectiveness