Unicorn ASTM F3502 Masks offer High Performance breathability at 5.9mm h2o tested to the new ASTM F3502 standard. The lower the score, the more breathable. Our CDC recognized ASTM F3502 masks allow up to 15mm h2o (the higher the rating, the more difficult to breathe). NIOSH certified respirators have two different breathability limits: one for inhalation, the other for exhalation. For inhalation the air flow resistance (breathability) for N95s is ≈ 35mm h20, more than double the maximum breathability resistance allowed under the new ASTM F3502 standard!

Did you know that respiratory aerosols can accumulate the same way cigarette smoke accumulates, in a plume, allowing virus particles to linger up to 16hrs in a low ventilated room?

Featuring up to 6 size options ranging from adults to kids, with a total of 6 adjustment points in a contour design, gaps and leakage are significantly reduced, preventing these particulates as small as 0.1 microns from being inhaled. Most face masks on the market are a 'one-size-fits-most' or offer 2 adult sizes with only 1-2 adjustment points, leaving numerous gaps and leakage, reducing mask particle efficiency up to 60%! View our Manufacturer's Design Analysis on our Lab page.

April 24, 2020 I Source: ACS Nano https://pubs.acs.org 

Is your filter safe, and will it fiber shed? How is it different from 'nano fabric' masks?

We utilize a very different technology from reusable 'nano fabric' masks. In fact we strongly advise against the use of woven 'nano particles' in textiles, especially when combined with 'antibacterial' silver, copper or zinc particles for health reasons. We also do not endorse the use of carbon commonly found in PM 2.5 filters for mask filtration. Finally, we STRONGLY DISCOURAGE reusable cloth masks that have nanofiber sewn-in to the mask. Antibacterials, metal additives and carbon can actually be harmful to your lung health when worn for extended periods of time and breathed deep into your lungs. And nanofibers CANNOT be washed, without dangerous fiber shedding occuring. Once these nano sized fibers are inhaled, the lungs will not expel them out, due to their small 'nano' size. These nano fabric textiles often come from China and South Korea. BUYER BEWARE of any company selling a sewn-in nanofiber layer into their cloth reusable mask in an attempt to increase particle efficiency! These have not been adequately tested for fiber shedding and are not safe, especially for children's sensitive lungs. Regardless of any press endorsements, marketed particle efficiency, or claims they are making, you must educate yourself on the dangers of wearing any washable filter that has not undergone extensive fiber shedding lab testing that you can visibly see and request. Mold and bacteria issues are also very common with washable filter masks. 

Unicorn masks on the other hand utilize disposable non-woven sonic electrospun nanotechnology (as opposed to a nano embedded woven textile). Being a continuous fiber and not anything related to nanoparticles, there is zero risk of inhalation of anything harmful. The nano fibers are encapsulated by two substrate layers of polypropylene further protecting against any possible fiber shedding. Our filters are manufactured by a leading global nanotechnology company out of New Zealand that is committed to health and safety. Our technology tests down to a much smaller particle size with greater efficiency ratings than nano textiles, and features dramatically higher breathability, greater thermal comfort (far less moisture buildup) and is much more lightweight (less than 1mm thick) than nano textiles. We encourage you to do your own research with all filtered mask companies and note the differences in verified USA lab tested results. The proof is in the pudding as they say! Learn of the toxic nanoplastics and pollutants recently uncovered by bioscientists in disposable masks here. This is one of the many reasons why we DO NOT recommend N95, KN95, surgical, or washable nanofabric embedded masks. 

As a point of comparison with disposable masks, ASTM masks (Level 1, 2 and 3) that are tested to the medical F2100-11 standard can often be confused with ASTM F3502-11 masks. The ASTM F2100 standard tests the filter material only as opposed to the whole mask (and is therefore not as thorough or accurate in terms of actual protection), using different sized particles to measure filtration efficiency than the F3502-21 test. The velocity, distance, speed and polarity of the particles are all different, resulting in a less rigorous challenge. In layman's terms the F2100 test is like an underhand softball pitch, whereas the F3502 test could be compared to a major league baseball pitch. F3502 testing uses a similar testing modality as NIOSH respirators, the Sodium Chloride Aerosol Challenge (NaCl), evaluating particle penetration and air flow resistance properties. When looking for a protection mask you want to look for a standard that tests the whole mask when worn, instead of just the filtration, to determine actual efficiency once leakage occurs around the filtration upon wearing. The ASTM F3502 standard is the only standard that takes a four-prong approach addressing the most critical aspects of mask wearing, including particle efficiency, breathability, fit/leakage and material safety/toxicity. It's important to note when searching for ASTM F3502 masks that you search for 'ASTM F3502' specifically. There are very few of us out there! 

The following graphic demonstrates the CO₂ emission mechanism for both Meltblown and Electrospun nanotechnology filters. It can be observed that Meltblown filters exhibit poor emission as compared to electrospun nanotechnology filters. Recently, a survey reported on the risk of headaches to healthcare providers from wearing N95 face masks.[1]* They concluded that this is due to higher humidity levels, breath resistance, and accumulation of heat inside the micro-climate of the masks. Researchers found that Meltblown N95 masks provide a favourable environment for viruses and bacteria due to its moisture-loving nature.[2] On the other hand, electrospun nanotechnology filters have a finer structure and more uniform morphology and pore diameter. This allows the water vapour to be passed through the filter more consistently and efficiently. This is one of the many reasons why we have chosen Sonic Electrospun Nanotechnology to replace traditional Meltblown filters. Read more information about our advanced Unicorn filter innovation here. See all of our current USA lab results here.

Yes! We are on the CDC and NIOSH PPE 'Masks That Meet a Standard' Approved Conforming BFCs list accessed via the CDC website here. We are not considered a 'cloth mask,' but rather an ASTM F3502 High Performance Barrier Face Covering utilizing Nanotechnology. If your school takes issue with you wearing our mask because it has a cloth exterior, you can point them to this link found on the CDC.gov website and let them know that our mask has been approved and is currently recommended by the CDC. Unfortunately the new ASTM F3502 Face Barrier Covering standard and use of nanotechnology is very new, and many press/media outlets have not discovered it yet. We are hoping that soon changes! 

*[1] Lim, E.C., et al., Headaches and the N95 face- mask amongst healthcare providers. Acta Neurol Scand, 2006. 113(3): p. 199-202. 

[2] Balazy, A., et al., Do N95 respirators provide 95% protection level against airborne viruses, and how adequate are surgical masks? American Journal of Infection Control, 2006. 34(2): p. 51-57. 

Evaluation of breathing comfort by infrared thermal camera ES NF and MB filter: (left) air and moisture transmission and (right) CO₂ transmission.