Does the use of the LIVINGUARD® face mask prevent COVID-19?

The textiles treated with LIVINGUARD® technology that are incorporated into RivenGuard face masks have been scientifically tested to neutralize 99,9% of SARS-CoV-2.
This protection is sustained through multiple uses and washes when used as recommended.

Safety Hygiene

However, the use of a RivenGuard face mask does not substitute the need for good personal hygiene as recommended by the applicable authorities and cannot prevent infection
when not wearing the mask and instances where the virus may enter the respiratory tract through other means such as cross contamination through the concerned person’s hand.

The RivenGuard face mask offers multi-barrier protection to both the user as well as those around the user. 

How does the technology work?

• Substrate materials such as textiles that are treated with Livinguard have ~24 billion charges per square centimetre. This is like a magnet for viruses and bacteria.
• The Livinguard treatment provides a positive “magnet” for the negative viruses and bacteria.
• Upon contact, these microbes attach themselves to the textile. This step is called capture or “adsorption”.

• The positively charged “magnet” is more powerful than the negative charge of the microbes. The microbes give up and explode.
• The bacterial and yeast cell walls and the viral protein capsids or envelopes are disrupted, and the now harmless insides leak out and disintegrate.

• Once the microbes are destroyed, they have no charge left. They fall off or can be washed off.
• Once the space they occupied on the textile is free, the charges they had attached to are free and can continue working in this manner.

How much more effective is the RivenGuard mask in protecting against 
coronavirus relative to a normal mask?

A conventional N95 mask filters droplets and particles that may carry coronavirus.
The RivenGuard mask uses such an industry standard filter as well, and in addition offers additional protection by destroying >99.9% of SARS-CoV-2 on each layer enveloping this filter.
Independent testing by researchers from the Free University of Berlin at the Institute for Animal Hygiene and Environmental Health have now been able to demonstrate that textiles treated
with LIVINGUARD® technology can destroy 99.9% of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19).

What is the science behind the LIVINGUARD® technology?

The principle underlying our technologies is the ability of polycationic surfaces to inactivate microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, and several types of fungi, and to do so without leaching.

This principle has been described in scientific literature for two decades, but its understanding and practical applications have been limited.
Livinguard has leveraged this principle to invent and patent a paradigm shift from conventional approaches:

1. Range of methods to bind a range of cationic compounds to textiles and other surfaces.
2. Portfolio of optimized chemistries to inactivate bacteria and viruses, without using traditional metal based antimicrobial agents like silver, copper, zinc, etc.
3. Methods to combine these with other properties, such as water repellency, hydrophilicity, etc.

According to the the scientific literature, it is probable that the inactivation mechanism of viruses is based on the distortion of the protein capsid by adsorption of negatively charged proteins to
the positively charged surface, finally leading to the release of non-infectious RNA.

Tests have shown that after multiple rinses or washes, the treated material (specifically textiles as tested so far) maintains its properties without leaching.
This lack of leaching is the underlying reason why the antimicrobial performance is so durable as well as why it is safe for skin contact.

Do they really kill COVID-19 virus, and other viruses or bacteria?

Livinguard has two primary technology platforms: Livinguard Antiviral Technology and Livinguard Antibacterial Technology.
They are differentiated based on the concentration and power of the charges.
The Antiviral Technology is more powerful in order to tackle smaller viruses, and is also effective against bacteria.

Livinguard Antiviral Technology has been successfully tested over the course of 5 years across different applications.
Testing by the Swiss Federal Institute for NBC Protection and NSF International, among other labs, has shown inactivation of Influenza A Virus,
Yellow Fever Virus, Rota Virus, Polio Virus, MS2 phage, and FR coliphage.
Antiviral performance is >99.9% on average and even up to >99.9999% in some cases, with unparalleled speed of inactivation, as well as durability of performance.

Note that since viruses are technically not “living” organisms outside of a host, they cannot be “destroyed”. They are inactivated and rendered harmless.

Does it kill COVID-19?

All tests prove that the Livinguard process to the fabric used to manufacture the mask has proven to be effective against all known Bacteria and viruses

How safe is it to use a RivenGuard face mask?

The LIVINGUARD® technology and materials have passed extensive skin safety testing at Product Safety Labs in USA per US EPA requirements and at Hohenstein Institute in Germany per European standards.
The technology has passed extensive skin safety testing at product safety labs in New York under the US EPA standards, and Hohenstein Institute in Germany under the European standards.

Is the mask certified?

Australia: Masks meeting our specifications have been TGA approved as a Class 1 Medical Device.
EU: permitted under EN14683 Surgical Mask standard in Europe.
USA: The technology is currently under review with FDA to make our mask available in the US during the crisis.
China: The version of our mask without an exhalation valve has been certified KN95 compliant by Guangdong Testing Institute of Product Quality Supervision.
Other regions: Further certifications and conformity are in place for Jordan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, UAE, India, and others.

Where has this technology been tested,and by what labs?

Several facets of our technologies and products have been successfully tested extensively by a variety of international laboratories.
These include the Swiss Federal Institute of NBC Protection, TÜV Sud, TÜV Rheinland, Hohenstein Institute, NSF International, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Research & Technology,
Swiss Quality Testing Services, Product Safety Laboratories in New York, International Down & Feather Laboratory, and many others.
It is currently under application with the US Environmental Protection Agency as the world’s first self-disinfecting textile technology.

How long can I continually use a RivenGuard face mask for in 1 day?

While you will always be the best judge for yourself, our masks are designed with comfort in mind for extended use throughout the day.

How long will it last?

Testing has established the mask will continue to be effective after 30 washes providing the described washing procedure is followed

Are the Rivenguard masks ecofriendly?

The one RIVENGUARD mask replaces 210 standard disposable masks therefore reducing waste by that amount. Standard N95 masks take a very long time to degrade

How often do I need to wash the mask?

The mask should be washed (following the provided washing instructions) every 10-12 days.

How many RivenGuard face masks do I need?

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

I have a beard, can I still use the RivenGuard mask?

Facial hair is an impediment to any mask protection as it prevents a seal against the face.

Do the masks have a valve or vent?

This is optional at time of ordering. The mask is made with an air valve/vent, or without.

What colours are the masks available in?

Currently the masks are only available in black.

Do the masks make my sunglasses or prescription glasses fog?

If fitted properly by following the fitting guidelines, the mask should seal to the face (note: issues with facial hair impacting this seal), then glasses should not fog when worn with the Rivenguard mask.

What sizes are available?

One size. They are not recommended for children under 7 or persons with breathing difficulties.

How should the masks be disposed?

Used products should be disposed of as hazardous waste in accordance with national regulations.

Where are the masks manufactured?

The masks are made in New Zealand from LIVINGUARD® components.