The outbreak of coronavirus has caused an increased demand for medical face masks everywhere, especially in China. And as we all know, China is the largest mask producer in the world. Yet, the authorities there have been sending messages about their urgent needs on medical masks and other protective equipment. 

Now, we can’t help but wonder why does the biggest mask-producing country that makes around 50% of the world’s masks is facing a supply end of the product?

If you still remember, the coronavirus epidemic started becoming an immense challenge of global health just a few weeks before the celebration of the Chinese New Year. As this is the biggest festival in China, most businesses, including the mask manufacturing factories are closed. Therefore, the production of the face mask is low during that period. On the other hand, the lockdown of many cities in China due to the virus has also affected the efficiency of making face masks.

Apparently, the volume of face mask production is the lowest at the time when its demand is the highest. Let’s take Xiantao City as an example. This city of Hubei province is one of China’s largest face mask manufacturing hubs. But since it is also affected by the outbreak, the total production of face mask after the Chinese New Year break is only 60-70% of its maximum production as the workers are facing a lot of restrictions at work due to the epidemic.

7 TO 15 DAYS-STERILIZATION AFTER PRODUCTION

So, how long does it take to produce a medical mask? The actual time needed to make one mask could be as short as 0.5 seconds. However, the newly manufactured masks need to be sterilized using Ethylene Oxide. And because Ethylene Oxide could cause cancer, its residue on the mask must be broken down and decomposed until it reaches a safe level. The final product can only be sold in the market after it is tested safe.

 The whole sterilization process would take 7-15 days. Therefore, there would be a gap in time before we, the consumers can find any medical masks on the shelf.

Anyway, this is the time when we should all work together as one and fight the deadly virus. Let’s work hand in hand for a better world!