San Jose - Textile developer Livinguard, which recently launched a new line of knitted garments that integrate its patented antimicrobial treatment. has reported that its treated protective face masks are now effective against the Indian isolate of SARS-CoV-2, more recently named the Delta variant, which has proven one of the deadliest variants of the virus.
Livinguard’s patented non-leaching formula captures and kills odour-causing bacteria.
The principle underlying the Livinguard technology is the deactivation of microbes including bacteria and viruses. The technology applies a positive charge at the molecular level to textile surfaces, making them more powerful than the negative charge of microbes. Therefore, microbes are deactivated when they encounter textiles treated with Livinguard technology.
The Indian National Institute of Immunology conducted tests on the masks to determine their efficacy against the variant, first identified in the country. Detailed results showed that each layer of the mask had an average of > 99 per cent effectiveness against the virus.
Looking ahead then, Livinguard has tipped its product to be instrumental in protecting key workers and citizens and believes the lab results come at an opportune time as countries continue to encourage mask wearing.
The World Health Organization recently urged fully vaccinated people to continue wearing masks as the Delta variant lingers.
Sanjeev Swamy, Livinguard CEO, said: “We are making everything possible to address the demand from the increasing number of regions that are making it mandatory to wear a mask outside and inside again. Over the past 24 months, Livinguard has been tirelessly updating its self-disinfecting technology and this is yet another example of the company rising to the challenge in a race against the clock.”
In July, the California-based company launched a line of t-shirts and polos, integrating its patented antimicrobial treatment, to offer customers greater protection against SARS-CoV-2.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of hygiene technology in protecting the health of people across the world, and we continue to adapt our Livinguard technology to new consumer products, including shirts with permanent antiviral and bacteria-fighting properties,” said Swamy, at the time.
