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KASHIHARA, Nara -- Masks developed in Japan using a copper alloy have been confirmed effective against the coronavirus's omicron strain.
The four-layered nonwoven masks containing a special copper alloy inside were jointly developed by Ryuichi Nakano, a microbiology associate professor at Nara Medical University, and Yamato Shinku-Kougyo Co., a metal processing firm in the city of Kashiba, both in Nara Prefecture. The company first released the regular size masks in February for 3,120 yen (about $23) a pack, each containing 30 masks, and added two sizes to the lineup on July 15 -- small ones for 2,700 yen (approx. $20) a pack and ones for children priced at 2,550 yen (roughly $18) per pack.
Nakano specializes in research on drug-resistant organisms. He began to study metals to prevent the spread of infections in hospitals such as via door knobs, and has confirmed that special copper alloys containing multiple metal elements such as zinc have high efficacy against viruses. Utilizing Yamato Shinku-Kougyo's technology, Nakano succeeded in developing anti-coronavirus masks by treating nonwoven cloth with an evaporated copper alloy.
Evaluation tests proved the masks reduced the amount of delta strains to 1/100,000th of the original level -- which is basically non-detectable -- within two minutes, and a similar effect against the omicron variant has also been newly confirmed.
Nakano explained, "Copper ions' effect of destroying RNA seems to work. Using a copper alloy is important, as opposed to silver or pure copper, which work against bacteria alone."
Kazumi Iwamoto, 43, senior managing director at Yamato Shinku-Kougyo, proudly said, "We paid thorough attention to scientific figures. We're confident about the masks' efficacy."
The company decided to additionally release small masks -- 95 millimeters in height and 145 mm in width -- and ones for children (85 mm by 125 mm) as it had received several hundred requests for such items since February. The firm is currently giving away free samples through its website at https://yamatoshinku.com/ (in Japanese).
(Japanese original by Akira Inoh, Kashihara Resident Bureau)
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