Frequently Asked Questions

ALL Livinguard masks are treated with Livinguard antiviral and antimicrobial Technology as standard (Livinguard Technology has been applied to the fabric and proven to destroy >99.9% of Sars-CoV-2). The PRO MASK provides Bacteria Filtration Efficacy (BFE) of >95%, whereas the SUPER MASK mask provides BFE >98% and is equivalent to the Ultra Series.  The PRO MASK comes without a valve, while the SUPER MASK has a built-in valve.  Please refer to the mask comparison table on the “mask” page of the Livinguard website for a more detailed comparison.

The Livinguard face mask offers multi-barrier protection to both the user as well as those around the user. Please see the“How it works”  video on our website

A conventional N95 mask filters droplets and particles that may carry coronavirus. The Livinguard PRO MASK and ULTRA MASK uses such an industry standard filter as well, but offers additional protection by destroying >99.9% of SARS-CoV-2 on each layer enveloping this filter.

Recent studies and media reports claim that masks with valves are safe to use when other’s around you are protected by a mask too. If you are sick and using a mask with a Valve, we suggest you purchase Valve Deactivator Pads from our website and shut the valves so that you are protected and others around you are protected too!

Each square cm of Livinguard mask has 24 billion positive charges to inactivate negatively charged viruses and bacteria. 80% of them are already destroyed within 30 minutes. And most of them within 2 hours. Don't forget to continue to follow recommended hand hygiene protocol for putting on and removing your mask. Ideal way to use your mask is to carry it in the ziplock bag provided and always handle it by its strings

Various masks claim to be antiviral and usually rely on a metal technology using silver, copper, or zinc that is leaching and potentially toxic. Livinguard doesn’t use any of these or work in a comparable manner. If considering such other masks, it is worth asking the following questions:

• Is the mask certified or compliant with any applicable regulatory standard?
• COVID-19 is caused by a virus – is the mask “antiviral” or “antibacterial”?
• Does the mask “inactivate” / ”destroy” viruses or simply “filter” them?
• How credible is the testing protocol and independent testing agency / laboratory, and what modifications have been made to the testing protocol? ISO 18184 is the internationally recognized standard to determine the antiviral activity of textile products.
• What is the durability of the antiviral performance – how long can it be used for with such performance, how many washes can it sustain, how long does the performance last from date of manufacturing and/or opening the package? The ISO 18184 protocol requires that the mask be washed 10 times before testing – has that been complied with?
• How comfortable is the mask – beyond the materials used, does the antiviral treatment make it unusually difficult to breathe?

Nelson Labs has reviewed our documentation and has preliminarily concluded it should be safe for use during the crisis, and that Nelson Labs will be conducting additional testing to confirm its conclusions. Livinguard has passed extensive skin safety testing at Product Safety Labs in USA per US EPA requirements and at Hohenstein Institute in Germany per European standards.

Bacteria and viruses, including coronavirus, are present in droplets and in some cases on airborne suspended particulate matter. Surgical masks and particulate matter filters, even those that meet N95 and N99 standards, are designed to filter particulate matter. However, when they filter bacteria and viruses, these trapped microorganisms are still alive on the mask. Through natural breathing and handling (removing, storing, wearing),this poses a great infection risk, as the microorganisms can pass through, transfer to your hand, or some other surface. Recent studies have shown that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that caused the COVID-19 infection, can survive on surgical masks for days. The greater the exposure to the virus, whether in critical environments like hospitals or when used for extended periods of time and/or reused, the greater the risk of infection. Livinguard masks are able to destroy the virus and other pathogens upon contact, thereby mitigating such risks.

Livinguard Technology is based on polycationic surfaces. Such surface inactivation has a different mode of action than cationic biocides. In order to become resistant towards polycationic surfaces the microorganisms would need to completely change their structure or their metabolism. Both strategies would need many substantial changes in the way a microorganism is structured or of its metabolism. This is unlikely to happen and has not been shown so far.

The following instructions must be followed each time the face mask is worn. Protection improves by following instructions closely.

• Open the box and unfold the face mask.
• Cup the respirator in your hand to maintain the position on your face.
• Adjust the ear loops to fit the face mask comfortably.
• Adjust the nose bridge bar tightly around your nose.
• To check the respirator-to-face seal, place both hands completely over the respirator and exhale sharply. If air leaks around the nose, readjust the nose bridge. The mask should cover the wearer’s mouth, nose, and chin.

It is recommended to rinse the mask with water one time per week depending on use or dust conditions. If you feel that you`d like to wash more frequently to keep the mask clean, this is fine. In this case, the lifetime of the mask is limited by 30 washes (and not 210 daily uses). Watch how to wash here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1j7GWbV9rM&feature=youtu.be

One mask is adequate in most cases. We would recommend two masks if you cannot wait for the mask to dry after washing it.

Please refer to our size guide below:

Yes, the UVC will cause no damage to the face mask

Small water droplets in the air are called aerosols. The filtration of aerosols and the permeation of water through a mask are ruled by different physical principles. Thus, the permeation of water is not representative for the filtration of aerosols.

Since our masks are made from cotton, we are referring to long-term degradation processes (such as those that take place in a composting facility). Livinguard Technology does not prohibit the biodegradability of the textile.

This face mask does not eliminate illness, disease or infection and is intended for general public use.

• This face mask does not supply oxygen. Do not use in atmospheres containing less than 19.5% oxygen.
• Do not use the Livinguard face mask for chemicals, gases, vapors, oil aerosols, oil-based particles or extremely high particulate concentration.
• Never substitute, modify, add, or omit parts 5. Follow fitting instructions carefully, filtering efficiency depends on proper fitting. Use your own mask.
• Individuals with a compromised respiratory system, such as asthma or emphysema, should consult a physician and complete a medical evaluation prior to use.
• Not recommended for children below the age of 7.

Livinguard face mask does not guarantee that the wearer will avoid infection. All safety instructions supplied by the manufacturer must be read, understood, and observed at all times. The mask is intended to be worn by individuals to reduce the risk of spread of infections, particularly in epidemic or pandemic situations. It is not intended to be worn in operating rooms or in other medical settings with similar requirements. If the mask becomes damaged, soiled, or breathing becomes difficult, please stop using it, leave the contaminated area immediately, discard and replace the mask. It is important to choose the correct mask size to ensure a close fit. The textiles treated with Livinguard technology that are incorporated into Livinguard face masks have been scientifically tested by FU Berlin, showing an inactivation of 99.9% for SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. However, as is the case for any protection measure there is always a remaining risk, and therefore other measures need to be regarded, for example personal hygiene.