What's PPE Materials?

 

Mask material information below from Mask for Heroes who says "This is a list of some of the most preferred materials for fabric masks we have seen from hospitals, articles, and research. For those making a cotton mask with a filter pocket, this is also a list of some of the filter materials that can be added.

Tag you friends so they know what to use.
As a reminder fabric masks should be replaced often, washed after each use, and you should remember not to touch them while wearing. If so, wash your hands. And STAY HOME unless you are an essential worker or leaving for essential purposes."

 

 

 

The information below was provided by Fashion for the Frontlines. 

Material Specs:

Medical Gown Material: 

  • High-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP) are used as raw materials, and polyethylene coating on polypropylene (PP) has excellent anti-static performance, which is permanent and can effectively release human electrostatic charges.
  • PE composite nonwovens are dust-free, non-sticky, good barrier, high density, high strength, effective sterilization and bacteriostasis, providing effective protection for wearers.
  • PE laminated non-woven fabric and other composite non woven fabric is widely used because of their waterproof, sun-proof and dust-proof properties, as well as a hydrophilic, anti-static and anti-aging treatment. They are mostly used for medical and hygiene, personal care, and industrial field, mainly used to produce surgical gown, surgical bag, isolation gown, protective clothing

Our legal team has just notified us that the FDA has just (this AM) waived requirements for certification, so long as the product supports the L3 fabric standards.. 

We should convey to the hospitals that FDA has relaxed the requirements but that we will comply with all labeling recommendations and that the products meet the ASTM standards for Level 3 gowns.

A quick read of FDA’s guidance shows that they treat “non-surgical gowns” and “surgical gowns” differently, but bottom line is that FDA is waiving/exempting requirements for both.

Here are the two summaries of most important aspect:

Non-Surgical Gowns:

To help foster the availability of these types of gowns and apparel during the COVID-19 public health emergency, FDA does not intend to object to the distribution and use of gowns not intended for use as “surgical gowns” and other low-to-minimal barrier protection surgical apparel that does not comply with the following regulatory requirements where the gowns and apparel do not create an undue risk in light of the public health emergency: Registration and Listing requirements in 21 CFR 807, Quality System Regulation requirements in 21 CFR 820, reports of corrections and removals in 21 CFR Part 806, and Unique Device Identification requirements in 21 CFR Part 830 and 21 CFR Part 801.20. FDA currently believes such devices would not create such an undue risk where:

  • The product includes labeling that accurately describes the product as a “gown,” or “toga,” or other apparel (as opposed to a “surgical gown,” or “surgical toga”) and includes a list of the body contacting materials (which does not include any drugs or biologics);
  • The product includes labeling that makes recommendations that would reduce sufficiently the risk of use, for example, recommendations against: use in a surgical setting or where significant exposure to liquid bodily or other hazardous fluids may be expected, use in a clinical setting where Level 3 or 4 protection is warranted, and use in the presence of high intensity heat source or flammable gas; and
  • The product is not intended for any use that would create an undue risk in light of the public health emergency, for example, the labeling does not include uses for antimicrobial or antiviral protection or related uses or uses for infection prevention or reduction or related uses.

Surgical Gowns

FDA recognizes the urgent need during the COVID-19 public health emergency for moderate-to-high barrier protection surgical gowns due to increased use and demand which has led to shortages in their availability. To ensure the availability of these types of surgical gowns during the COVID-19 public health emergency, FDA does not intend to object to the distribution and use of ANSI/AAMI PB70 Level 3 moderate-to-high barrier protection surgical gowns that do not comply with the following regulatory requirements, where such surgical gowns do not create an undue risk in light of the public health emergency: Prior submission of a premarket notification under section 510(k) of the FD&C Act and 21 CFR 807.81,20 Registration and Listing requirements in 21 CFR 807, and Unique Device Identification requirements in 21 CFR Part 830 and 21 CFR 801.20. FDA currently believes such devices would not create such an undue risk where:

  • The product:
  • Meets liquid barrier protection at Level 3 or higher, consistent with ANSI/AAMI PB70 for the critical zone areas;
  • Meets the Class I or Class II flammability standard per 16 CFR Part 1610; and
  • Has been demonstrated to be sterile if intended for use in surgical settings.
  • The product includes labeling that accurately describes the product’s sterility status (sterile or non-sterile), including any sterilization method used, barrier protection as Level 3, flammability classification (Class I or Class II), and a list of the body contacting materials;
  • The product includes labeling with general statements and makes recommendations that would sufficiently reduce the risk of use, for example, a general statement about devices that have not been cleared by FDA, recommendations against use when FDA-cleared surgical gowns are available, and recommendations against use of non-sterile products in surgical settings; and
  • The product is not intended for any use that would create an undue risk in light of the public health emergency, for example, the labeling does not include uses for antimicrobial or antiviral protection; uses for infection prevention or reduction; or is labeled as having ANSI/AAMI PB70 Level 4 liquid barrier protection

Recommended Disposable Gown Materials

Buy a "Made by Us" precut material kit (5 gowns / 25 gowns)

Based on the commonly used Hayard Tri-Layer AAMI2 Isolation Gown reverse-engineered by Fashion Girls for Humanity, "Made By Us" precut materials are made from 72 gsm Barricade R Wrap supplied by Indevco Northamerica and Specialty Coating, which is both breathable and waterproof. The material meets the AAMI Level 1 & 2 standards.

If you want to contact Indevco Northamerica and Specialty Coating directly, here's the information. The gown material cost is about $1.3/gown. Fashion Girls has already used this material to make 2000 donation gowns. 

David J Johnson

Vice President of Sales, Industrial and Flexible Packaging

Specialty Coating & Laminating, LLC

Member of INDEVCO North America

Office:  (804) 876-9142

Email:   djohnson@specoat.com

 

Comprehensive AAFA list of suppliers for mass production for all PPE products

DIY / HOME SEWER ONLINE FABRIC SUPPLIER

These fabric rolls are LOCATED in the US. So anyone who can start sewing, order online!

Spandex Warehouse (LA)
They have identified the fabric for PPE production. Will get a direct link shortly.

Mood Fabric (NY & LA) / Fabric Wholesale Direct / Joann's

Grosgrain ribbon for masks M&J Trimmings

 

MASS PRODUCTION FABRIC SUPPLIER

If you are planning a large production, here is a list of material suppliers you should contact. The list was provided by Fashion for the Frontlines. 

Medical Material Suppliers:

The following resource (#1) has been shared by the CFDA:

Swatch On 
Largest consortium of fabric supplies in Korea with stock yardage available
(CEO of SwatchOn): Michelle Jung michelle@swatchon.com
(Direct contact in New York facilitating relationship with SwatchOn): Jamee Gidwitz, jamee@revepr.com

The following resources (#2-#12) have been shared by Stacey Bendet Eisener of Alice & Olivia:

 

Hebei Pingjian Metal Material Sales Co., Ltd
Address: Huadu Peiyu, Haoting Residential, Qiaodongqu, Xingtai, Hebei, China  (054000)
Tel:  (86) 19931913717

Phone: +86 18116628077

Fuyang Sensi Trading Co.,ltd. 
Phone: +86-18226077369
Mask / Gown

Shenzhen Genixgreen Technology Co. Ltd
Address: 2F, Weihuang Factory, No.1 Zhuangcun 2nd Road, Xin'er Community, Shajing Street, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China  (518000)
Tel:  (86 755) 18682189026  (86 769) 85544410
Fax:  (86 769) 82710530

PH: 888.MMI.0086
Address: 29260 Clemens Rd. Bldg. II, Ste. B, Westlake, OH - 44145

Berry Global Inc.
Material: Surgical Suite Films: Meltblown Plastic (Nonwoven) Can be sewn together.
Phone: 877-662-3779
Sales Rep Email: Blakedowney@berryglobal.com Michaelly@berryglobal.com
> Not available  

Kimberly Clark 
Material: KleenGuard.
Phone:: 1-800-255-6401
Email: KCP.CS.PARTNERSHIPPROD@KCC.COM

WPT Nonwovens Corporation
Phone: 270-274-7115

Dupont
Materials: DuPont Tyvek , DuPont Tychem, DuPont ProShield and DuPont ProCleanDuPont Tyvek IsoClean, DuPont Microclean (all have spec sheets)
Website: 
Contact: 1 800 931 3456 
Notes: Also have material to make masks –Sierra.
Rolled Goods: 804-240-8042 > Not available 

Glatfelter
Material: Wetlaid Nonwovens
Contact: 1-866-744-7380,Tech.Specialties@glatfelter.com

Ahlstrom-Munksjo (based in Germany)
Material: Trustshield
Contact: medical@ahlstrom-munksjo.com