Investing in a reusable face mask?

While they are not compulsory, health experts have recommended that face masks should be worn indoors in spaces where social distancing isn’t always possible.

Now a Cork company has launched a range of eco-friendly reusable face masks that are so stylish you might decide to wear one full time – and even Hollywood actor Leonardo Di Caprio is a fan.

With €2 from every mask sale donated to the Irish Lung Fibrosis Association, RashR masks remove ocean plastic from the sea while helping against the transmission of COVID-19. The company was featured on Di Caprio’s Instagram feed, where he shared the initiative to his 45 million followers.

Recycled polyester 

Since 2017, the Cork company has supplied sustainable clothing to luxury resorts across the world (such as the Four Seasons, Sixth Sense, and Richard Branson’s luxury resort, Necker Island). However, with the onset of COVID-19, the company is now using the materials they traditionally used in the production of their internationally renowned rash vests (protective skin clothing for surfers in hot climates) to produce high-quality face masks on an industrial scale.

“The masks have been manufactured using recycled polyester at just under medical grade standard so will not be interfering with the supply of PPE equipment for healthcare workers.” says CEO, founder and Carrigaline-native, Tom Cotter.

“However, the masks will be suitable to those in a general work and public environment as businesses slowly begin to open their doors again based on public health guidelines.

“We chose to donate €2 from every mask sold to the Irish Lung Fibrosis Foundation given the significant number of members suffering from respiratory diseases at the moment, a lot of their members would suffer from symptoms very similar to COVID-19 constantly and with our masks helping to protect the lungs, it felt like a good fit for us,” Tom added.

RashR facemasks are machine washable and reusable and are manufactured in two sizes – an adult one-size-fits all version and one for children aged 3-10 years.

Each facemask has a pocket which is suitable for optional PM2.5 filters which are also supplied by the company. The five-layer filters are non-woven fabric, activated carbon and meltdown fabric to conform to GBT 32610 -2016 standards to filter bacteria, particles, dust and smoke and to increase filtration levels.

Each filter which can be worn for up to eight hours, has been tested to conform with the EPA requirement of having a DOP particle efficiency of 99.7% or better.

Rash’R” has teamed up with a number of their European manufacturers to produce the masks– and up to 25,000 can be produced with a lead time of three weeks. Company-specific branding is also available.

Each mask is €19.99 here and includes one filter (with €2 per mask donation going to The Irish Lung Fibrosis Association). A Pack of five filters is available also at €7.50.