Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University (BAIBU) academics in Türkiye developed a surgical mask with high protection from boron ore, offering comfortable use. Within the scope of the project implemented in 2023 with the support of the Health Institutes of Türkiye, support was received from textile engineering from Isparta Süleyman Demirel University and academics from Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University in the departments of chemistry, nursing and microbiology to produce masks from boron mine. In the project led by Prof. Dr. Arzu Özcan İlçe, Prof. Dr. Cevher Altuğ, Prof. Dr. Sibel Kaplan, Dr. Assist. Prof. Dr. Cevher Altuğ, Prof. Dr. Sibel Kaplan, Dr. Ganime Esra Soysal, lecturers Şeyda Karabörk and Sanaz Lakestani Sarkarati took part in the project.
As a result of the studies, two types of masks called “activated carbon high filtration boron mask (AK-B-MASK)” and “high filtration boron mask (B-MASK)” were produced. The masks, which were tested at BAİBÜ Scientific Industrial and Technological Application and Research Center, were determined to provide higher filtration against chemical pollutants, bacteria and viruses compared to their equivalents.
An international patent application has been made through the Turkish Patent Institute for the mask, and it is aimed to be commercialized in the following process.
Surgical mask from boron mineral is more comfortable than N95/FFP2 and N99/FFP3 masks
BAİBÜ Faculty of Health Sciences Faculty Member Prof. Dr. Arzu Özcan İlçe told AA correspondent that boron, which is an important element for Türkiye, is used in many areas such as aircraft industry, furniture industry and pharmaceutical industry. Stating that they had previously made skin care and wound cream from boron, İlçe said that they were working to develop a surgical mask based on the information they obtained from here.
She said that they aimed to develop masks that offer high protection and comfort of use, and explained that as a result of their studies, they created two types of masks using boron:
“We compared our masks with other masks. The N95/FFP2 and N99/FFP3 masks protect us, but they are difficult for the wearer because they are quite thick in texture, so inhaling and exhaling is quite difficult. There are also studies that they cause carbon dioxide retention (buildup). Our mask is similar to a surgical mask, we have a boron filter in the center that we place with special nanotechnology. We compared the permeability of the surgical mask, N95/FFP2, N99/FFP3 and our boron mask in terms of volatile organic compounds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are important chemical pollutants. We found that the boron mask we produced was the least permeable and protected the most from pollutants in the environment. We found that the viral and bacterial filtration of the masks is equivalent to N99 and N95 masks, and their use is more comfortable than them.”
She said that they believe that the masks will be effective in environments with volatile organic compounds, air pollution and chemicals found in all areas of life as well as in the health sector: “Our masks can be used in all areas of the hospital, intensive care, operating rooms, emergency rooms, clinics, as well as in the auto industry, paint industry or different industries where chemical pollutants are present.”
“We expect support from investors for the commercialization of the mask”
İlçe emphasized that they have taken the initiative for the mass production of masks, saying: “We have made international patent applications for the masks. We expect support from investors for the commercialization of the mask.”