First FDA Approved Transparent Surgical Mask

Transparent FDA-Approved Full-Face Visible Mask

Face masks and other coverings have become part of our everyday life since the Covid-19 pandemic started. Traditional masks and other coverings block faces and make it more difficult to see facial expressions and other visual cues that help us communicate with each other. Most experts agree that 70 to 93 percent of all communication is nonverbal. This includes body movements, posture, facial expressions, eye contact, and hand gestures. Even our tone of voice helps us understand each other. With a majority of people covering their faces, this makes it harder for us to effectively communicate with one another, especially for deaf and hearing-impaired individuals.

The mask industry has been booming with different designs and patterns to fit everyone’s needs. There have been 3D Masks that sit further away from your face and mouth, cloth masks that have clear plastic around the mouth, and fully transparent masks just to name a few. Recently a company ClearMask created the first FDA-approved fully transparent surgical mask that has an anti-fog transparent plastic barrier. They have been working on creating and implementing these transparent masks in the medical field since 2017. You can see a picture of the mask below Along with ClearMask, there is also another FDA-approved mask called the Leaf mask. They have a few different models that offer different levels of protection but they all offer MERV20+, N99+ HEPA filters.

Almost 15% of US adults report difficulty hearing which has been getting more and more attention since wearing face masks and other facial covers has become the new normal. This also has always been an issue in the medical field, but the recent pandemic has brought it to scale. Before this year clear masks kept hitting universal design challenges. Universal design is the idea that the product can be adjusted regardless of age, disabilities, and other features.

Face Mask Facts and Info

Can a Face Mask Prevent Covid-19 from spreading?

Facemasks and other facial covers help prevent the spread of Coronavirus. Recent studies by the CDC show that a significant portion of people who have Covid-19 don’t show symptoms, and the virus can spread before they get sick.  It’s best to wear a mask even if you think you are healthy. Surgical masks and cloth masks help contain small droplets that come out of your mouth and nose when you cough, sneeze, and talk. they also may protect you from larger droplets from people around you.

Who should be wearing a mask? Everyone should wear a mask in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. Masks should not be placed on young children under the age of 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance. It’s important to continue to social distance between yourself and others even while wearing a mask. Face masks are not a substitute for social distancing.

How to Properly Wear a Face Mask

For both you and everyone else’s safety it is important to properly handle and wear your mask. Remember to wash your hands before and after handling your mask. You don’t want to touch the inside or outside of the mask when taking it on or off, touch only the bands or the ties. Make sure the mask fits to cover your nose, mouth, and chin. If you have a reusable mask, wash it after each use. You can read more on the CDC website about how to wear face masks.

Can a Face Mask Give You CO2 Poisoning?

Despite many rumors and stories on the internet about people not getting enough oxygen and inhaling too much CO2, it is not true. There is no risk of CO2 retention in healthy adults who use face coverings. Even with N95 masks carbon dioxide molecules freely diffuse through the masks allowing normal gas exchange while breathing. Carbon dioxide becomes toxic at concentrations above 4%. The atmosphere around us is about 0.04%.