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With guidance from researchers at the University of Alberta, non-profit organisation ACAMP has designed and developed reusable respirators to help stop the spread of Covid-19.
The PPE A95 plastic respirator features cloth-based filters that can be washed and reused. A team at Engineering at the University of Alberta led by professor Warren Finlay tested their effectiveness against N95-rated respirators.
They noted the ACAMP A95 filters match the commercially available N95 filters in the filtration efficiency rate.
The body of the respirators, which is currently available in only adult size, is made of polyurethane or polypropylene. It allows effective protection around the nose and mouth.
Furthermore, the respirators filter two ways and protect users from inhaling the Covid-19 virus, as well as prevent them from exhaling it.
ACAMP has been working with local businesses and the University of Alberta to design and manufacture the respirators.
The respirators are set to go into production this week and will be soon available for order through the official website of ACAMP.
Supported by Mitacs through the Mitacs Accelerate Program, under the special Covid-19 call for proposals, the initiative aims to produce a sufficient number of masks for every person in Alberta.
ACAMP assists companies in designing, developing and manufacturing high-tech products by providing access to multidisciplinary engineers, technology experts, unique specialised equipment and industry acumen.
Meanwhile, the pandemic outbreak across the globe continues to escalate with more than 3,117,880 confirmed cases and 217,212 deaths.
Canada has recorded over 51,150 confirmed cases. The death toll in the country has reached 2,983.
