Have a question about your KN95 99% Biodegradable Masks? See our FAQ below for more information. If you have additional questions, please contact us at hi@shopvida.com.
Product Specifications:
99% Biodegradable KN95 High Protection Mask
Tested and Certified KN95 Mask with GB2626-2019 standard
The outer layer of the mask is water-resistant and the inner layer works to absorb moisture.
These masks are hypoallergenic, latex-free, and inflammable.
What are the dimensions of this mask? What are the available sizes?
Adults: 8.25" x 6.06"
Kids: 6.5" x 5"
Available Sizes: Adult and Kids
VIDA BIO KN95 masks have an adjustable nose bridge which gives you a comfortable fit and avoids any gaps. You can further improve the fit with the help of our Mask Comfort Fit Set which consists of four mask ear loop toggles and one ear saver.
Where are these masks made?
These masks are made specifically for VIDA in China.
What materials are the masks made from?
VIDA BIO KN95 masks are made up of 3 layers:
Layer 1: 50g 100% PLA non-woven fabric
Layer 2:PLA Nano electrospinning melt-blown fabric (PLA non-woven fabrics + Nano layer + PLA nonwoven fabrics) this 2nd layer of the melt-blown filter of the mask is made by combining three other different material layers consisting of PLA non-woven fabric + Nano layer + PLA non-woven fabric to form one material.
Layer 3: 40g 100% PLA non-woven fabric
Nose-Clip: 100% polylactic acid corn-made plastic
Elastic Ear Loops: 83% Polylactic acid and 13% bio spandex
What are the filtration capabilities of these masks?
Our BIO KN95 Mask ensures the highest level of filtration efficiency, filtering out more than 95% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns. When someone speaks, sneezes, or coughs respiratory droplets enter the air, traveling several feet. Masks create a barrier reducing the risk of these drops entering your nose and mouth. These BIO KN95 Masks provide respiratory protection by filtering bacteria, dust, droplets, and non-oil-based particles from the air around you, such as those viruses, air pollution, wildfires, and even volcanic eruptions.
They also have a BFE (Bacterial Filtration Efficiency) of 99.9%
Test Reports:
- GB Standard for KN95: Certificate
- Filtration efficiency: Report
- Breathability: Report
- Material test: Test Reports
- CE/FFP2 Certification: Certification
- Compostable/ Biodegradability testing: Registration Certificate
- Biodegradability Certificate for the packaging: Certificate
What’s the shelf life for these masks?
We do not have any defined shelf life on the BIO Masks. Even by NIOSH standards, there are currently no requirements for shelf-life: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/respirators/testing/ExpiredN95results.html
Studies such as this one have shown that there is no significant change in the level of protection over time. Generally, disposable face masks claim to have a shelf life between 3-5 years after the date of manufacture.
What makes this mask biodegradable?
This mask is made up of one of the synthetic biodegradable polymers - polylactic acid or PLA, a polymer that can be produced from renewable resources instead of fossil fuels.
PLA is typically made from the sugars in cornstarch, cassava, or sugarcane. It’s biodegradable, carbon-neutral, and edible. To transform corn into plastic, corn kernels are put in sulfur dioxide and hot water, where they break down into starch, protein, and fiber. Basically, PLA comes from fermented plant starch and is commonly referred to as cornstarch plastic.
Producing PLA uses 65% less energy than producing conventional plastics, according to an independent analysis commissioned by NatureWorks. It also generates 68% fewer greenhouse gases and contains no toxins.
How are these masks tested?
Currently, in the US to label a product biodegradable, it must meet the American Society for Testing and Materials (aka ASTM) D6400 standard.
ASTM Standard D6400:For a product to be labeled “industrially compostable” or “commercially compostable,” it must meet standards established by the ASTM. Standard D6400 means breakdown occurs within 180 days, and the final product must not be toxic to the environment. This is also equivalent to EN13432, which assures the same in Europe and abroad.
As a product test method, the ASTM D6400 provides composting conditions as a means to assess how biodegradable finished materials, raw materials, or ingredients are. The ASTM D6400 test method uses a set of conditions that favor microorganisms that thrive above 50 degrees centigrade, making the test method somewhat selective for bacterial-based biodegradation. This component of the test method does favor bioplastic types of materials, and may not provide for testing parity when comparing the ASTM D6400 to other test methods such as the ISO 16929. In addition, the method is not meant to represent composting conditions in a home compost facility, as the composting temperature requirements are not likely to be achieved at home.
How do we dispose of these masks?
You can send the mask back to VIDA free of charge following the instructions provided on the packaging using the prepaid postage label. We here at VIDA then send these used masks to the industrial composting unit for faster, eco-friendly disposal. Usually, it takes up to 180 days for the mask to be completely composted.
You could dispose of these masks in a nearby landfill, if you don’t have time to send them back to us, feeling good about the fact that your used masks will decompose naturally in a few years as compared to PP (polypropylene plastic) masks which take 450 years to naturally decompose.
The materials used in the making of these masks are renewably sourced and bio-based, being made of plants, recyclable, and lab-tested non-toxic. Altogether, this makes a huge difference in terms of carbon emissions in the environment, sourcing, and the manufacturing process. Still, it is very important that we properly dispose of and compost these masks to have the desired effect that we aim to achieve with this product.
How does industrial composting work?
Commercial or industrial composting is large-scale composting that is designed to handle a very high volume of organic waste, as opposed to private or home composting, which handles organic waste from one household or facility.
Industrial composting produces more than just high-quality compost for soil remediation. It also produces jobs, a greener environment, enhanced food security, less waste, and less truck traffic hauling garbage.
Industrial composting is necessary to heat the bioplastic to a high enough temperature that allows microbes to break it down. Without that intense heat, bioplastics won't degrade on their own in a short time frame. If they end up in marine environments, they'll function similarly to petroleum-based plastic, breaking down into micro-sized pieces, lasting for decades, and presenting a danger to marine life.
What kind of packaging does this mask come in?
VIDA Masks come in a 100% PLA reusable pouch printed with soy ink. These pouches are also 100% biodegradable. We request you send the used masks back in the same packaging as instructed for proper composting of the products.
Biodegradability Certificate for the packaging: Certificate
How VIDA is helping the Planet?
Globally, 129 billion disposable masks are used each month. That translates into three million face masks used per minute.
All may be called disposable because they’re cheap enough to be used once and then thrown away. But here’s the hitch—they don’t actually go away. Disposable masks are ending up in oceans, landfills, in our parks, and on our streets.
Most disposable face masks are made of Polypropene. Polypropylene or PP is a kind of plastic material.
“We believe biodegradable masks are the answer to this problem,” said Sung Yeon Hwang, a professor from the Research Center for Bio‐Based Chemistry at the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT). “Contaminated plastic masks are difficult to recycle and must be incinerated or sent to a landfill.”
Masks made out of PLA are a perfect example of biodegradable masks.
VIDA is launching an improved and well-structured BIO MASK range with KN95 in three colors: Gardenia, Cornflower Blue, and Black Orchid. And VIDA already launched the BIO 3-Ply Masks in the same colors.
These masks are made with a lot of thought and research. They are 99% biodegradable and made with PLA material which, as explained above, is easily biodegradable, requires a lot less energy to produce, and, after use, does not harm the planet.
You can find more product-related details in the product description section.
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