New protective mask provides better fit for children
AIR+ Smart Mask with Micro Ventilator. Photo: Robin Choo
SINGAPORE — A new type of protective mask has been developed for use by children aged seven and above, addressing the long-standing problem of conventional N95 masks being unsuitable for children’s use.
Developed by ST Engineering subsidiary Innosparks, the Air+ Smart Mask comes in three sizes, and was tested in collaboration with the Ministry of Education to assess its fit on children.
N95 masks, which are used to filter out airborne pollutants, are manufactured for industry use and typically do not fit children’s facial structure and size. In 2013, at the height of Singapore’s worst episode of haze, the Ministry of Health said children should stay indoors as much as possible during hazy conditions because the N95 masks in the market had not been certified for their use.
To get an ideal size for the mask, Innosparks did 3D scans of children’s faces.
“The smart mask also uses high-quality material that filters against 95 per cent of all airborne particles,” Mr Gareth Tang Ee Ho, Innosparks director of technology innovation, said yesterday at a media briefing to launch the mask.
He added: “Prior to this study, there has been no such data available locally. In fact, we found that the last study conducted in this area was done in the 1970s, to design an oxygen mask for use on board an aircraft.”
The mask has a built-in smart valve that allows for greater breathing comfort.
There is also a rechargeable Micro Ventilator, sold separately, that can be attached to the mask, eliminating carbon dioxide build-up and expelling heat and moisture. When used with the smart mask, it can reduce humidity in the mask by up to 40 per cent and temperature by up to 4°C.
The masks will be available at all Watsons outlets from tomorrow. The recommended price by ST Engineering is S$7.20 for a box of three masks and S$29.90 for the rechargeable Micro Ventilator, but Watsons will decide on the pricing.
