Since the pandemic of Covid-19, many new masks are reaching the market that offers competitive advantages. They offer new technologies of activated carbon filters to the masks that are trusted more effective in absorbing impurities. Recently, many brands are producing this type of activated carbon mask. Even though the activated carbon masks have become a new trend, only a few of them are explaining the benefits of using the carbon filter on the mask. With that being said, we will explain what carbon filters exactly do in the masks and how effective they are in protecting us from viruses.
Why Do Masks Use Carbon Filters?
Activated carbon is known as a material that can adsorb gases from the air. It is very effective at filtering VOCs and odors. The activated carbon will work to filter organic chemicals but they are ineffective against non-organic chemicals.
Activated carbon is famous for its great filtration capabilities, and many companies are using it for water treatment, gas purification, air pollution filtration, and many more.
Ordinary masks offer only particle filtration, but now with the help of a carbon filter, they give an extra layer of protection. In addition, masks with activated carbon filters are quite effective at reducing smells and odours that reach the wearer.
Activated carbon is great, but due to the nature of filtration, this carbon filter has a limited lifespan and the wearer must replace the activated carbon filter so it can adsorb effectively.
What Does Activated Carbon Not Filter?
As we have mentioned above, several materials cannot be filtered by the activated carbon filter. Those materials are inorganic compounds (compounds that lack carbon-hydrogen bonds) that cannot be filtered. For some exceptions, some inorganic compounds can be adsorbed but at a lower efficiency than organic compounds.
Are Masks with Activated Carbon Filters Better?
Masks with carbon filters are great, but it is not recommended in every case. Masks with carbon filters only filter some potentially dangerous pollutants, and this is not very useful for some people. You cannot rely upon cloth masks with carbon filters because the activated carbon filters only provide some level of adsorption. The only advantages of cloth masks with carbon filters are they are effective in removing odours from the air.
In conclusion, activated carbon filter masks are great for a couple reasons and have no obvious downsides. The activated filter will provide extra protection against pollutants, but we should not rely upon it to have a better performance in protecting from substances.
