Disposable Masks Aren’t Cutting it Anymore — Introducing CastleGrade

One of the most challenging things about the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic was that so little was known about it. Besides knowing what type of virus it was, there was still great uncertainty about its deadliness and exactly how it spread. 

Before some countries imposed a mandatory rule, wearing masks was a matter of choice for many people. But now we know that not only does the virus spread in the air, but masks have proven to be effective in limiting the spread by preventing the dispersion of droplets.

Understanding the science

Almost one year since the first global lockdown, we now have far more information available to help us make informed choices about what kinds of masks will best protect us. Fabric masks may feel the most practical and comfortable, but their level of protection has been questioned in recent months. One team of US researchers found that fabric face masks blocked “between 62.9% and 87.1% of fine particles”, whereas surgical face masks protected against an average of 78.2%. One face mask company, CastleGrade, offers 98% filtration efficiency. 

Choosing efficiency

Founder of CastleGrade, Dan Castle, worked with a team of scientists, doctors and engineers to create the company’s reusable N95 FDA registered masks that are valve and vent-free. Not only do they provide unrivaled protection, but they’re the solution to foggy glasses — something any glasses wearer can rejoice at. 

The G-Series masks are made with a lightweight silicone that forms to each individual’s face, keeping a tight seal but leaving no marks. Each one comes with five replaceable filters, and can be used for up to 32 hours of direct use or for a full week. The 4-ply filters are composed of four layers of filtration materials, and air is filtered for both the inhale and the exhale. This series has been lab tested by a number of third-party labs and results showed a level of filtration efficiency considerably higher than 95% across multiple tests. 

Environmental solution

CastleGrade also provides a solution to the inexcusable problem of non-recyclable masks being strewn across our streets and even making it into our ecosystem, with all CastleGrade masks being reusable. They’re also available in a variety of colors, including camouflage and rainbow. You can even buy an eco-friendly Castle case, made from durable 100% stainless steel.

However Castle is met with a unique problem in that frontline workers aren’t able to access the best protection because of numerous restrictions — not being able to advertise on social media being one of them. This means Castle and other mask manufacturers are left with huge inventories and no way to advertise the products to the people who really need them. 

Protection for the people who need it

However one of the most effective marketing techniques is word of mouth, and Castle’s hope is that his state of the art masks can end up in the hands of the right people. Front line staff and other medical workers like dentists have suffered from a lack of PPE for the whole pandemic, and still their safety seems to be an afterthought. 

Moreover, the pandemic has massively spiked our dependence on single-use plastics and medical PPE, which continues to be a problem. “We strive to have our products truly embody a mindset of sustainability,” Castle says. While things are finally starting to look up in the struggle against Covid-19, the virus isn’t going away anytime soon, and masks are going to continue to be a part of our lives for the foreseeable future. Now we’ve had the time to plan, innovate and adapt, the priority is getting the best possible equipment in front of the right people.

Find out more about CastleGrade here.