Flu-killing masks a myth
Flu-killing masks a myth
11:01, November 10, 2009 
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While the producer of an "anti- A(H1N1) flu" mask claims to be too busy with a flood of phone calls for orders after a State news agency championed their use, the Ministry of Health 'warned the public that the so-called virus-killing mask has no magic to fight the new flu, and it is no different than a normal mask.
The mask, produced by Mingda Technology in Tianjin, could effectively inhibit 92 percent of the A(H1N1) flu virus, according to a report issued by the National Influenza Center, the Xinhua News Agency reported Sunday.
Using anti-microbial and far-infrared technology, the mask can even promote blood circulation in people's faces and is good for the skin. Even after washing, the mask proves to be still "effective in fighting virus and bacteria," said the report, which was carried in many newspapers across the country.
The masks will be on sale for 58 yuan ($8.50) apiece, according to the company. The price for a normal mask is less than 10 yuan.
"It took five PhD-holding employees in our company half a year to develop the mask," Guo Miaoqing, the general manager of Mingda, told the Global Times Monday. "Customers rushed to order the masks, including those coming from Taiwan and foreign countries."
Guo claimed that she and all of her employees were too busy to fax the test report by the National Influenza Center to the Global Times, as business is booming and everyone was busy answering phones.
Mingda's swift sale coincided with the health authority's warning for caution.
"The 'containing or killing microorganisms' function claimed by some manufacturers is not particularly effective with the A(H1N1) flu," the Ministry of Health said in a statement on its website Monday.
The ministry said it issued the statement in response to media reports of the "successful development of an anti- A(H1N1) flu mask" in China.
Experts said the flu spreads mostly via human saliva, so a standard medical mask will meet the need for prevention. The ministry added that healthy people are not recommended to wear a mask in normal activities in public places.
Source:Global Times
[1] [2]
The mask, produced by Mingda Technology in Tianjin, could effectively inhibit 92 percent of the A(H1N1) flu virus, according to a report issued by the National Influenza Center, the Xinhua News Agency reported Sunday.
Using anti-microbial and far-infrared technology, the mask can even promote blood circulation in people's faces and is good for the skin. Even after washing, the mask proves to be still "effective in fighting virus and bacteria," said the report, which was carried in many newspapers across the country.
The masks will be on sale for 58 yuan ($8.50) apiece, according to the company. The price for a normal mask is less than 10 yuan.
"It took five PhD-holding employees in our company half a year to develop the mask," Guo Miaoqing, the general manager of Mingda, told the Global Times Monday. "Customers rushed to order the masks, including those coming from Taiwan and foreign countries."
Guo claimed that she and all of her employees were too busy to fax the test report by the National Influenza Center to the Global Times, as business is booming and everyone was busy answering phones.
Mingda's swift sale coincided with the health authority's warning for caution.
"The 'containing or killing microorganisms' function claimed by some manufacturers is not particularly effective with the A(H1N1) flu," the Ministry of Health said in a statement on its website Monday.
The ministry said it issued the statement in response to media reports of the "successful development of an anti- A(H1N1) flu mask" in China.
Experts said the flu spreads mostly via human saliva, so a standard medical mask will meet the need for prevention. The ministry added that healthy people are not recommended to wear a mask in normal activities in public places.
Source:Global Times
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