An embodiment is an article configured to inhibit or prevent pathogen growth. The article includes an inner layer configured to face a wearer's skin when the face covering article is applied to the face of the wearer; a middle layer adjacent to the inner layer; and an outer protection layer adjacent to the middle layer and opposite the inner layer and comprising a substrate and metal particles in the substrate, wherein the metal particles are configured to inhibit or prevent pathogen growth.

Described herein is a disinfecting system for a face mask. The disinfecting system may comprise a housing, a power source, a switch, and at least one strap. The housing may comprise a facial mounting surface, at least one passage, and at least one ultraviolet irradiation component capable of emitting ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. The power source may be electrically connected to the at least one ultraviolet irradiation component with the switch electrically connected to the power source and also electrically connected to the at least one ultraviolet irradiation component. It is further described herein a kit for disinfecting a face mask comprising the disinfecting system and a covering.

A barrier is provided to be placed between a first region and a second region, to prevent passage of pathogens between the first and second regions. The barrier includes a single ply layer treated with pathogenicidal components. The single ply layer includes a first side directed toward the first region, and includes an outer surface coated with the pathogenicidal components such that pathogens in the first region are incident on the outer surface of the first side. The single ply layer also includes a second side directed toward the second region, and includes an outer surface coated with the pathogenicidal components such that pathogens in the second region are incident on the outer surface of the second side. The pathogenicidal components coated on the outer surfaces of the first and second side deactivate the pathogens incident on the outer surface of the respective first and second sides.

This present invention is an improved face mask having replaceable scented pods that make the wearing of protective face masks a more pleasant and enjoyable experience by eliminating any offensive or unpleasant odors. The novel scented face mask comprises two holders attached to the sides of the mask and is designed to hold scented pods for freshening air coming into or leaving the mask. The unique scented face mask enables the user to select the scented pods as per their desires, and to replace the scented pods when the scent pod becomes worn out. The scented face mask of the present invention encourages users to wear their masks even for prolonged periods of time, to minimizes the chances of spreading harmful pathogens, and therefore protects the individuals from spread of infectious diseases.

A personal protective equipment includes a substrate, and an anti-microbial substance is positioned in the substrate. The anti-microbial substance includes tourmaline. The personal protective equipment may include a face mask or a garment having a nonwoven body. The anti-microbial substance is positioned on or in the nonwoven body.

A headpiece (1) worn by a user provides air to the user from which airborne disease particles have been removed. The headpiece includes an air guide (2) through which air flows due to fans (13, 14). Antibacterial and/or antiviral devices (3) such as filters and ultraviolet (UV) disinfecting lights operate as air purifiers to purify air that passes through the air guide. The purified air is delivered to an area between the inside surface of a visor (10) and a face (11) of the person wearing the headpiece.

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to coated substrates having, e.g., anti-viral properties, to articles including the coated substrates, and to processes for making such coated substrates and articles. In an embodiment, a mask for preventing infection by a virus is provided. The mask includes a coated substrate having a breathing resistance (95 L/min, EN 149:2001) of about 6 mbar or less and a water droplet absorption time of less than about 5 seconds. The coated substrate includes a non-woven fabric having a weight of about 120 g/m.sup.2 or less according to ASTM D3776, and mineral oxide particles, iron oxide particles, or both, coupled to at least a portion of the non-woven fabric.

Methods of inactivating microbiological contamination described herein use a textile or membrane which can generate a contamination-inactivating amount of ozone or a reactive oxygen species. The textile or membrane includes first and second conductive layers and at least one ion conductive or porous intermediate layer positioned between the first and second conductive layers. The textile or membrane can form part of a protective face mask, for example a medical or surgical face mask. A voltage effective to generate a microbiological contamination-inactivating amount of the inactivating species is applied across the intermediate layer of the textile or membrane.

A face mask is disclosed. The face mask includes a mask pad adapted to cover a nose and a mouth of a wearer and allows a passage of air therethrough to the wearer and restricts a passage of microbes. The mask pad has at least a surface protected by a sulfonated polymeric layer for killing at least 90% microbes within 120 minutes of contact with at least a surface of the face mask. The sulfonated polymeric layer consists essentially of a sulfonated polymer, the sulfonated polymer being selected from the group of perfluorosulfonic acid polymers, polystyrene sulfonates, sulfonated block copolymers, sulfonated polyolefins, sulfonated polyimides, sulfonated polyamides, sulfonated polyesters, sulfonated polysulfones, sulfonated polyketones, sulfonated poly(arylene ether), and mixtures thereof.