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City dwellers,
agro and industrial workers offered effective & economic
protection against toxic pollutants
Activated
carbon-impregnated air purifying face masks that effectively
protect users against inhalation of noxious gases and
particulate matter, have been introduced to the Sri Lankan
market for the first time by the Hayleys Group.
The masks, branded
‘Oxypura’ are manufactured by the Haycarb subsidiary Puritas
Limited, and will initially be available in three types –
Oxypura CITY, Oxypura AGRO and Oxypura INDUSTRIAL, each with
customised multi-layer protection to shield users from the
specific atmospheric pollutants they are exposed to in their
daily routines.
Each type of mask
has a pollutant-specific activated carbon filter sandwiched
between two particulate matter filters, which filter-out harmful
gases and particles enabling users to breathe clean and
odourless air, thanks to the magical absorption qualities of
activated carbon.
“Many of the face
masks available in the local market provide minimal protection
against particulate matter and absolutely no protection against
harmful gases,” said Puritas Director Dr. Yohan Weerasuriya.
“These masks have simple fabric or sponge filters inside and are
better than a handkerchief across the nose and mouth.”
He explained that
the filter of activated carbon in granular form provides a
simple yet sophisticated filter and purifying agent that acts as
a barrier against most pollutants, while allowing clean air
through. “Activated carbon is widely used in water and air
purification all over the world. The activated carbon with
enhanced properties used in these filters is produced with the
latest technology,” he said.
Tests conducted on
the Oxypura CITY mask by the Industrial Technology Institute (ITI)
have established that it effectively filters up to 99 per cent
of Sulphur Dioxide, one of the biggest air pollutants in Colombo
and other major cities.
The mask is intended
for motorcyclists, traffic police personnel, trishaw drivers,
walkers and joggers, road workers and others exposed to vehicle
emissions.
The Oxypura AGRO
mask has an activated carbon filter customized to absorb most
aerosol dispersed pollutants from agrochemicals such as
pesticides and weedicides, and has been designed for farmers and
estate workers.
Oxypura INDUSTRIAL
is customized for factory and industrial workers involved in
spray painting, printing, carpentry, manufacture of fibre-glass,
coir, ceramics, rubber products, or are in the garment industry.
These masks are designed to filter out the solvents, gases and
minute particles that the workers are exposed to.
“Puritas is also
producing a mask for workers in banks who handle new currency
notes, because they are exposed to a lot of dust attached to new
notes,” Dr. Weerasuriya disclosed.
The Oxypura CITY
face masks will be retailed through selected pharmacies, motor
cycle spare part shops and fuel stations; the AGRO masks through
agrochemical and agro equipments shops; and the INDUSTRIAL masks
through hardware outlets. Puritas has also received bulk orders
for the INDUSTRIAL masks from many manufacturing companies
concerned with the health of their workers, Dr. Weerasuriya
added.
Oxypura masks are
priced at Rs. 75 (AGRO), Rs. 85 (INDUSTRIAL) and Rs. 115 (CITY)
making them economical to use. Each mask can be used for up to a
month, and would cost the user of a CITY mask less than Rs. 4 a
day for protection against most toxic elements in the
atmosphere.
An ISO 9001
certified company, Puritas Limited has been actively involved in
the environmental protection and purification sector for more
than 10 years and is the country’s leading builder of sewage,
water and waste water treatment plants.
Its parent company
Haycarb Limited is the world’s largest manufacturer of coconut
shell based activated carbon and has a market share of 15 per
cent. Activated Carbon manufactured in Sri Lanka is exported
worldwide for many industries and applications, including gold
and mineral extraction in mines. |