EcoMask: Development of a biodegradable respirator using Sugarcane Bagasse (Saccharum officinarum) cellulose coated with shrimp shell chitosan and Bamboo (Bambusoideae) nonwoven fabric
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A B S T R A C T
Disposable face mask usage has caused a significant environmental crisis, with an estimated 129 billion masks discarded globally each month. Conventional masks, mainly made from polymers like polypropylene and polyethylene, take over 50 years to decompose, rising levels of pollution in both terrestrial and marine habitats. This study presents the development of EcoMask, a biodegradable respirator composed of sugarcane bagasse (Saccharum officinarum) cellulose coated with shrimp shell-derived chitosan, and reinforced with nonwoven bamboo (Bambusoideae) fabric. Biodegradability tests using ISO 14855-2:2018 standards revealed that the EcoMask decomposes within 3–6 months under aerobic composting conditions, significantly faster than conventional plastic masks. Particle Filtration Efficiency (PFE) testing following ASTM-F2299 protocols indicated a moderate efficiency of 36 41%, suitable for non-medical environments. While the mask shows limited filtration performance compared to medical-grade respirators, it excels in environmental sustainability, offering a promising step toward reducing the environmental impact of plastic masks.