Applicability of Membranes in Protective Face Masks and Comparison of Reusable and Disposable Face Masks with Life Cycle Assessment

In the COVID-19 pandemic period, role of face masks is critical as a protective physical barrier to prevent droplets and filtrate exhalations coming from infected subjects or against various environmental threats, including SARS-Cov-2 virus. However, plastic microplastic waste used pollute environment, cause negative impact on human health natural ecosystem, well increase landfill medical waste. The presented paper focuses providing an overview application membrane technology in mask products development protection mechanisms future. authors performed analysis reusable (cloth) disposable (surgical filtering facepiece respirators) using Life Cycle Assessment methodology assess impacts health, ecosystem. IMPACT 2002+ V2.14, ReCiPe 2016 Endpoint (H) V1.02, IPCC 2013 GWP 100a V1.03 methods were applied specialized software (SimaPro V9.1). consistently provide higher protection, though they also carry several multiple burdens. Conversely, improve performance, reduce 85% waste, have 3.39 times lower climate change, are 3.7 cheaper than masks.