Can a drape with silver and zinc ions protect us from coronavirus?
6 November, 2021

Public health officials back in April recommended that people wear face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Many initially considered them unnecessary, but they have now become part of everyday life. Over time, with the number of relevant studies already coming out, people are becoming a little more familiar with the issue and are also thinking about which face masks to buy, which are the most effective or the most cost-effective.

Evolution of protective drapes

After the initial craze, people either redeemed disposable drapes from the pharmacy, or they started to sew home-made cotton drapes. However, more specific and effective forms of upper respiratory protection, such as antimicrobial drapes, have started to appear in the media. young woman with a disposable Russian

Initially, these were protective drapes impregnated with copper. A recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that the COVID-19 virus died just hours after being placed on the copper surface. Currently, drapes with silver and zinc ions are increasingly appearing on the market . The theory behind these drapes is that the antimicrobial and antiviral properties of the material can provide much better and more effective protection than conventional drapes.

It is known that when silver and zinc are in a charged (ionic) state, they are biologically active. Many studies have repeatedly shown that these silver and zinc ions can enter the cells of viruses and bacteria and disrupt their pathways. They can also disrupt RNA and its replication cycle and thus prevent the spread of micro-organisms. Further evidence of the effectiveness of silver and zinc ions is the fact that silver coating is also used in the tissues of medical devices, as it reduces the risk of infections.

 

How do antimicrobial drapes work?

Jeffrey Keane, CEO of Noble Biomaterials, a biotechnology company specializing in antimicrobials for soft surfaces, says repeated wear of cloth masks can cause unpleasant odors, discoloration and fabric deterioration. Antimicrobial masks aim to solve this problem. Therefore, in addition to self-sanitisation drapes with silver ions and zinc also contain materials that keep it clean and fresh, such as Prolen Siltex and Prolen Bodyfresh fibres.

These cloth drapes are designed to be odor resistant and help prevent the growth of bacteria, helping to reduce viruses on the surface of the cloth. For example, if you put your hands on a regular drape to fix it, the virus could end up on your hand and later on your mouth or eyes. Antimicrobial masks substantially reduce this risk. When you cough or sneeze into an antimicrobial drape, the positively charged ions in the tissue inhibit and eliminate the bacteria on the surface of the drape.

Experts say that the less porous the surface, the more virus you can get your hands on when you touch it. Any area you touch frequently, such as door handles and elevator buttons, is the most infectious.

 

Prolen Siltex and Prolen Bodyfresh drapes

Drapes of Chemosvit Fibrochem, s.r.o. are made of certified 100% polypropylene fibre called Prolen® Siltex and Prolen® Bodyfresh, which are manufactured in Slovakia and are permanently treated with an additive based on silver and zinc ions. These active ingredients prevent the growth of bacteria, reduce unpleasant odours and ensure hygienic freshness. Cloths made of Prolen® Siltex and Prolen® Bodyfresh are thus maximally safe and healthy for our bodies.

Certified fiber

Prolen® Siltex and Prolen® Bodyfresh are certified to Standard 100 by Oekotex, Class 1 (i.e. suitable for infant clothing). Chemosvit Fibrochem, s.r.o. has obtained several certificates guaranteeing its quality and safety in use.

Do they protect against coronavirus?

COVID-19 is primarily spread through person-to-person contact or contact with certain contaminated surfaces. Richard Martinello, MD, professor of infectious diseases at Yale School of Medicine, says information on the effectiveness of wearing a drape made of antimicrobial material is limited. The effectiveness of such a drape would only be relevant if silver ions were present in every single fiber.

This is where the uniqueness of the face shields made of Prolen fibre with silver and zinc ions. The active ingredient is not only on the surface of the mask, but is embedded in every single fibre. In addition, Chemosvit Fibrochem s.r.o. has obtained laboratory results that Prolen Bodyfresh fibre has been proven to reduce SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus from up to 99% when in contact with the fabric surface. This is why they are probably the most effective protection against the new coronavirus.