Caracterización por microscopía electrónica de barrido de mascarillas de protección respiratoria utilizadas por la población costarricense en la época de la pandemia COVID-19.

Abstract

Because of COVID-19 pandemic and the mandatory use of respiratory protection masks, a business oportunity arose for industries and entrepreneurs in the manufacture and sales field. Based on this is assumed that there have been on the market, masks that have not been made in optimal quality conditions and according to standars; offering a false respiratory protection to citizens, which increases the risks of spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus. Besides a erroneus labeling refered to the number of layers, pore size and protection after washing cycles has been evidenced.

The generation of scientific support is necessary to corroborate the aspects mentioned above, because of the public health impact it has, therefore scanning electron microscopy technique has been used to characterized the layers, pore size and morfology before and after washing cycles supporting the hypothesis and demonstrating non compliance in some case with the minimal quality requirements to assure real protection against the virus. This provide a background for future actions in case of COVID-19 outbreak or posible protection against other viruses.