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SINGAPORE – Every Singaporean resident will be able to pick up a pair of reusable masks starting November 30, at the Temasek Foundation’s third nationwide mask distribution.
Some vending machines on the island have already started restocking the mask kits, with the collection starting at 10am on November 30 and ending on December 13.
Temasek CEO and CEO Ho Ching said in a Facebook post on Thursday (Nov 19) that the masks are “breathable antimicrobial 3D masks” from local company Proshield.
The 3D masks are shaped to fit the face and are similar to those distributed in the National Day pack for all households, he noted.
Each kit will consist of two reusable masks along with three additional filters.
The mask has a pocket where filters can be inserted in case users want more protection in crowded places, he added.
They come in four sizes: small, medium, large, and extra large, with the small one only intended for children under the age of eight.
Ms. Ho said that people should check for proper fit before collecting their masks, and those in between sizes should go for the next larger size.
Water-repellent masks can also be washed and reused 30 times or more.
“With a proper fit, a 3D mask can fit snugly on the nose and wraps under the chin, with enough room to breathe and speak without the mask sliding down our noses,” said Ms. Ho.
According to the Proshield website, the masks are made of polyester for good breathability. Plus, they have a Particulate Filtration Efficiency (PFE) of 97 percent and a Bacterial Filtration Efficiency (BFE) of 99.85 percent for up to 25 washes.
These measurements indicate the number of droplets and bacteria that can be filtered.
The PFE test measures how well the mask can filter tiny respiratory droplets down to 0.1 microns or one millionth of a meter.
The BFE test measures your ability to filter droplets containing bacteria that are approximately three microns in size.
A good mask should have a BFE and PFE of more than 95 percent.
The filter pads are also made of nanofibers to protect users from dust particles, water droplets, and bacteria growth.
The DET masks distributed by Temasek in September had a BFE value of more than 80 percent, but did not have a PFE value.
Both types of masks have a breathability reading equivalent to less than 40 pascals per cm2 in a differential pressure test, indicating that the mask is comfortable to wear.
During Temasek’s previous distribution exercise from September to October, around 7.6 million free reusable antimicrobial masks were collected. In its first exercise from June to July, 9.3 million masks were collected.
More details will be available online here.
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