Open AccessPotential 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 , personal protective equipment , pandemic , respirator , 3d printing , face (sociological concept) , presentation (obstetrics) , medicine , 3d printed , medical emergency , computer science , engineering , virology , mechanical engineering , surgery , biomedical engineering , materials science , pathology , social science , disease , sociology , 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.