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Paul Boyé Technologies, the leading French manufacturer of FFP2-type medical protective masks, mainly for military and nuclear protective equipment, owes its invention to innovation in nosocomial infections and the fight against chemical weapons.
The Labarthe-sur-Leze plant, near Toulouse in southwestern France, had been in production for months a year ago after the French state failed to renew its stock of national masks before March 2020.
The company then decided to develop an antiviral mask with the help of about a hundred researchers.
The mask, called Biox, looks exactly like a FFP2-type health mask. The difference is that Not only does it prevent the passage of virus-containing droplets, it also contains a biocidal substance that kills all viruses and bacteria within four hours.
“The mask disinfects. Instead of a mask that can transmit the virus when we touch it, it stays clean. It destroys its own virus,” said Jacques Boyé, director of the company.
It is located between the layers of the mask. the composition of the biocide is strictly confidential. However, development is known to have started long before the coronavirus epidemic, five years ago.
A recent introductory video in French was also posted on the company’s YouTube on Wednesday:
“We originally designed a product to fight nosocomial infections in hospitals. Then we continued our research in the military as well, to protect ourselves from biological threats. It turned out that we could also kill bacteria and viruses.
We also tested the coronavirus and the results are very good
highlighted the manager of the company.
The antiviral mask can be marketed within six months. All you have to do is check if it is really safe. “We want to be sure that it does not cause allergies or rashes,” said Jacques Boyé, who said that Biox will be a bit more expensive than traditional masks, but that it can be used for longer.
Our cover illustration. Source: MTI / EPA pool / Sascha Steinbach
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