Potential Risks of A Widespread Use of 3D Printing for The Manufacturing of Face Masks During the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Pandemic | Zendy

Sven Duda | Zendy; Sascha Hartig | Zendy; Karola Hagner | Zendy; Lisa Meyer | Zendy; Paula Wessling Intriago | Zendy; Tobias Meyer | Zendy; H. Wessling | Zendy

Open Access

Potential Risks of A Widespread Use of 3D Printing for The Manufacturing of Face Masks During the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Pandemic

Author(s) -

Sven Duda,

Sascha Hartig,

Karola Hagner,

Lisa Meyer,

Paula Wessling Intriago,

Tobias Meyer,

H. Wessling

Publication year - 2020

Publication title -

journal of 3d printing in medicine

Language(s) - English

Resource type - Journals

eISSN - 2059-4763

pISSN - 2059-4755

DOI - 10.2217/3dp-2020-0014

Subject(s) - face masks , covid-19 , pandemic , personal protective equipment , 3d printing , face (sociological concept) , respirator , presentation (obstetrics) , 3d printed , medicine , computer science , engineering , virology , mechanical engineering , materials science , biomedical engineering , surgery , pathology , sociology , social science , disease , outbreak , infectious disease (medical specialty) , composite material

Background: In 2020, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic caused serious concerns about the availability of face masks. This paper studies the technical feasibility of user-specific face mask production by 3D printing and the effectiveness of these masks. Material & methods: Six different face mask designs were produced by 3D printing and tested by subjective experimenter evaluation and using a respirator fit testing kit. Results were compared with the requirements as given for standard protective face masks. Results: None of the printed masks came anywhere near the required standards for personal protective gear. Conclusion: In spite of their euphoric presentation in the press, none of the currently advertised 3D printed mask designs are suitable as reliable personal protective equipment.

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