Use of five-layered Adi's cotton face masks with a filter and its commercial application during and after COVID-19

ABSTRACT

Introduction: COVID-19 is a global pandemic that has led to crisis in the supply of essential goods and services and personal protective equipments including face masks. Aim: The aim of the study is to compare Adi's five-layered cotton face masks with N95 masks and surgical face masks with regard to cost and efficacy. Materials and Methods: After IEC approval, a sample size of 10 was randomly selected. In a closed chamber made up of glass, three plates of blood agar, chocolate agar, and MacConkey Agar (MCA) were kept and at four different times, first without mask (Group D), second with N95 mask (Group N), third with surgical mask (Group S), and finally with Adi's face mask (Group A). Participants at first coughed three times then sang for 3 min and finally spoke for 2 min for each group. Plates were observed for growth after 24 h. Inclusion Criteria Age 18-40 years of either sex, with no comorbidities. Exclusion Criteria Anyone having cough, cold, or fever. Results: Group A (Adi's face mask with filter) showed no growth all ten times, Group N (N95 Mask) showed no growth of colonies four times, and one colony growth six times. As far as Group D (Direct speech without mask) is concerned, it showed multiple colonies all ten times and Group S (Surgical mask) showed one colony growth all ten times. Conclusion: Adi's mask is almost equivalent to wearing an N95 mask. It is easy to use, innovative, simple, scientific, and cost-effective. © Medical Journal of Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth 2022.