Ford uses its technical prowess to solve a thorny coronavirus problem: designing a medical-grade face mask that reveals wearers’ facial expressions and also allows the hearing impaired to read lips. The car manufacturer, who started early in the corona pandemic, has developed a face mask with clear panels that also filters most of the particles in the air.
“In those early days everyone learned what it was like to live in a masked environment. We soon discovered that while it is difficult for everyone to wear a mask all day long, it is even more challenging for people with hearing impairment. Jim Baumbick, the leader of Ford’s personal protective equipment manufacturing efforts, told CBS MoneyWatch. ‘That inspired us to think about how we could help those people effectively [with a mask] you take away from them another sense that they rely on for communication and connection. “
Baumbick also sees potential for Ford’s clear respiratory masks to improve interactions between doctors and patients, as well as between teachers and students.
Thanks to Ford
The mask is still under development and its filter capability has not yet been approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). NIOSH-approved N95 respirators seal tightly over the user’s face and filter at least 95% of airborne particles. Any mask that claims to be an N95 but does not bear the NIOSH’s stamp of approval is considered not to be authentic or false, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
While N95 masks provide strong protection against the coronavirus they remain scarce and are only recommended for use by health professionals. Healthcare and industrial products manufacturer 3M recently acknowledged that it continues to struggle to meet the demand of frontline workers, despite the quadrupling of US production. It currently makes 95 million respiratory masks per month.
Ford expects the masks to be available in the spring, pending NIOSH certification. The company’s current focus is on testing the respirators, initially with first responders, medical staff and teachers. It is not yet clear how Ford will distribute the masks and whether they will be more widely available.
“We are striving for N95 certification and are working with NIOSH to ensure that we go through the entire testing regime before launching it,” said Baumbick.
The clear plastic panels are anti-fog treated and can be replaced, according to Ford. The panels are designed to provide a full view of the wearer’s face, while the side panels of the masks are made of a highly efficient filter material, Baumbick said.
—CBS News’ Michael Roppolo contributed reporting