Hemp Black™ Fusion Mask 3D - Personal Protective Equipment PPE
What is HEMP BLACK™ Fusion Technology?The Hemp Black fusion masks introduce an innovative textile which combine Cupron antimicrobial matierial and odor neutralising HEMP BLACK
™ element yarn, both strategically integrated for maximum benefits.
WHO ‘Advice on the use of masks in the context of COVID- 19’ recommends face masks
be worn in public when
on public transport, in shops or confined and crowded environments to
provide a barrier
to potentially infectious droplets.HEMP BLACK Technology is Natural, Non-Toxic, and Safe
Hemp technology has improved kill on MRSA versus silver nitrate
Antimicrobial protection Cupron (copper) infusion. No formaldehyde.
SUSTAINABLE - zero waste in production
Only use clean inputs in products
Hemp fibres use 72% less water than conventional cotton
Hemp absorbs 150% of its weight in C02 (carbon negative)
Cotton uses 25% of the insecticides in the world
Reusable & Washable.
- Features Anti-microbial copper technology HEMP BLACK / element infused adaptive fibres.
- Harness the power of odor neutralising hemp flower extract.
- Strategically engineered for protection through multilayer 3D knitting.
- Reusable and machine washable for 25 cycles
- Seamless fit for comfort
- Designed, engineered and 100% made in USA
- Available in SMALL (kids), MEDIUM (Adult Small) and LARGE (Adult Large)
Which size do I need?See sizing chart in Specifications Tab.
Why is Cupron copper used on the outside of the Face Mask?
Cupron masks have been,
“authorized by the FDA pursuant to
an Emergency Use Authorization
(EUA) issued April 24, 2020
as source control for the general
public as well as for healthcare
workers in healthcare settings to
reduce the spread of infection or
illness during the COVID-19
pandemic.”
Many infections, including the novel coronavirus caused by SARS-CoV-2, are contracted in two ways: by human to human transmission or by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching your face. Whilst face coverings are effective in reducing overall viral spread, they can become contaminated, thus increasing infection risk to the user. But material matters, as some surfaces are easily contaminated while
others are not. For example, a recent study1
published in the New England Journal of
Medicine demonstrated that the SARS-CoV-2
is most stable on plastic and stainless steel.
That same study concluded that copper
successfully inactivated the new
coronavirus. When a surface kills a virus,
infection is significantly limited.
A four-year long investigation by the
Department of Defense concluded that
copper materials reduced hospital acquired
infection rates by 58%3 compared to
standard hospital disinfecting protocols. A
follow-up study4 supported these findings, in
which copper bedrails were 81% cleaner than
their plastic counterparts. Remarkably,
copper’s disinfectant properties never
deteriorate7
, so the protection persists over
time
Getting antimicrobial protection from copper
in a mask is not that simple, though.
Pathogens have to actually come into
contact with copper in order for the metal to
kill it, and viral particles are incredibly small.
Cupron’s technology, however, infuses
copper into the fibers, allowing increased
opportunity for contact between the
pathogen and the metal, resulting in kill.
Cupron has gone through rigorous scientific
evaluation8 and is registered with the EPA. It
is also recognized9 as an “infection control
product to know” by Becker’s Hospital
Review. According to Dr. Michael Schmidt,
Ph.D., a microbiologist and immunology
researcher who co-authored two of the
previously mentioned studies, other copper
masks may “just be bad copycats of
Cupron’s mask.”10
Why is HEMP BLACKTM / element on
the inside of the FACE MASK?HEMP BLACKTM / element is a strategically
engineered fiber that introduces full
spectrum hemp flower extract, into the
garment. Similar to Cupron, Hemp Black’s
technology embeds hemp flower extract into
the DNA of the fiber. This means that the
hemp extract will not wear off or wash out.
The coronavirus crisis surprised the world,
and careful research and necessary
registrations cannot keep up with the
breakneck pace of the pandemic. We have
multiple patents pending and are currently
pursuing several registrations, but we
accelerated production of our materials in
response to an urgent global need.
While we continue to evaluate the benefits of
our Hemp Black fiber, preliminary research is
quite promising that our technology can
offer a solution to the most common mask
complaints.
“Maskne” refers to blemishes caused by
prolonged mask wearing. We asked an
external laboratory in Silicon Valley to
evaluate the effects of our hemp extract on P.
acnes, a bacteria responsible for causing
breakouts. Their research revealed that the
hemp flower extract in HEMP BLACKTM /
element kills P. acnes bacteria by more than
99%.
“Mask breath” is another common maskassociated complaint. Human mouths are
prime breeding ground for bacteria. For
example, up to 94% of healthy adults11 carry
some form of Staphylococcus in their
mouths. Masks, inevitably hot and moist
from our breath, present an ideal
environment for bacterial growth and a
lingering stench. HEMP BLACKTM / element
can help keep your mask fresh by
neutralizing odors.
External laboratory tests evaluated the
effects of our extract on even more bacteria,
including Staphylococcus and
Streptococcus, bacteria that thrive in our
mouths. Again, a third-party laboratory
demonstrated that our extract killed over
99% of the bacteria.
“Face chafe,” caused by prolonged contact
with an irritating garment, results in
inflamed, itchy, reddened skin. The physical
discomfort and its visual manifestation may
leave some to forgo masks. Skin breakdown
caused by these processes leaves the user
more vulnerable to infection. Both
staphylococcus and streptococcus colonize
the skin. While often harmless on healthy
skin, these bacteria can lead to infection
when introduced to open wounds. A thirdparty laboratory confirmed our extract killed
over 99% of both bacteria.
Other odor neutralizing materials, such as
commonly used silver, do so at a cost. Silver
can cause skin irritation, inflammation and
cell damage13. Additionally, laundering allows
silver to easily leach out of textiles and into
our land and water, compromising soil and
threatening aquatic life. HEMP BLACKTM /
element does not pose these risks and offers
a safe, sustainable material with a reduced
carbon footprint.
Written by Dr. Alex Capano, DNP, CRNP, FNPBC, Chief Science Officer at Ecofibre
References:1: Van Doremalen, Neeltje, et al. "Aerosol and surface stability of SARS-CoV-2 as compared with SARS-CoV-1." New England Journal of Medicine 382.16
(2020): 1564-1567; 2: Morrison, Jim. Copper’s Virus-Killing Powers Were Known Even to the Ancients. Smithsonian Magazine (2020).; 3: Salgado,
Cassandra D., et al. "Copper surfaces reduce the rate of healthcare-acquired infections in the intensive care unit." Infection Control & Hospital
Epidemiology 34.5 (2013): 479-486.; 4: Schmidt, Michael G., et al. "Self-disinfecting copper beds sustain terminal cleaning and disinfection effects
throughout patient care." Applied and environmental microbiology 86.1 (2019).; 5: Vincent, M., et al. "Contact killing and antimicrobial properties of
copper." Journal of applied microbiology 124.5 (2018): 1032-1046. 6: World Health Organization. (2019). Antimicrobial resistance: World Health
Organization.; 7: Gilmore, Frank. “Too much Copper is Fatal to Germs.” NPR’s Science Matters (2018).; 8: CupronMedicalTextils.com/about; 9: Editorial
Team. “101 Infection Control Products to Know.” Becker Hospital Review (2018). ; 10: Segran, Elizabeth. “Copper masks are the latest craze: Should you
buy one?” Fast Company (2020). ; 11: Jackson, Margaret S. "Staphylococci in the oral flora of healthy children and those receiving treatment for
malignant disease." Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease 12.1 (2000): 60-64.; 12: Petrosino, Stefania, et al. "Anti-inflammatory properties of
cannabidiol, a nonpsychotropic cannabinoid, in experimental allergic contact dermatitis." Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics 365.3
(2018): 652-663.; 13: Main, Emily. Some anti-odor gear may put you at risk, study suggest. Today.com (2020).; 14: Yen, H., et al. "Pathogenesis and
transmission of SARS-CoV-2 virus in golden Syrian hamsters." (2020).
Disclaimer: FDA recognises that when alternatives such as FDA-cleared face masks are unavailable, individuals including healthcare professionals might improvise Personal Protective Equipment. Our face masks are made with hemp flower extract and copper technology. Caution should be used as the capacity for protection is unknown.
Sizing
Packaging Front
Packaging Back
Product CareMachine wash cold, gentle cycle, tumble dry low, no bleach, chlorine, or fabric softeners. Product life cycle is 25 launderings.
Content:
Mask Exterior: 57% Cupron Copper Polyester
Mask Interior: 33% HEMP BLACK
™ / element
Mask Straps: 8% Nylon / 2% Spandex
