CleanSpace Joins Pandemic Action Network

A CALL TO ACTION: CleanSpace Calls on World Leaders to Set Highest Standard of Protection for Healthcare Workers

A CALL TO ACTION: CleanSpace Calls on World Leaders to Set Highest Standard of Protection for Healthcare Workers

CleanSpace joins Pandemic Action Network as part of its commitment to WHO’s Annual World Mask Week

As part of the World Health Organization’s second-ever World Mask Week this July 12-18, leading respiratory protection designer and manufacturer CleanSpace Technology today announced it would be joining the Pandemic Action Network, a network of corporate, not-for-profit and thought leaders aligned around the shared goals of ending this pandemic and ensuring global leaders are better prepared for future outbreaks. 

The purpose of World Mask Week is to communicate the value of one of the most effective tools required to keep communities healthy.

CleanSpace CEO Dr Alex Birrell said, “I am very proud for CleanSpace to announce its membership to the Pandemic Action Network, as part of our global advocacy in support of the World Health Organization’s annual World Mask Week. This week is an important effort to raise awareness that healthcare workers are equipped with the best possible protection in our fight against the pandemic.”

The Pandemic Action Network is a robust and growing global multi-sector network of partners, built to address a crisis of this magnitude. Partners include representatives from international institutions, civil society organisations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), media and creative agencies, philanthropies, and the private sector.

“To address the COVID-19 pandemic, the world needs unprecedented partnership between the public and private sectors. We in the private sector are endeavouring to shift from a crisis mentality to a sustainable approach to pandemic preparedness. We are proud to join the Network and help vocalise the collective lessons globally from COVID -19 – so we can do better next time,” said Dr Birrell.

Over the last two decades, there has been little innovation in respirator development and few respirators have been specifically designed for the healthcare setting, with many transferred directly from industrial applications. The next generation of respirators are now incorporating healthcare specific needs and addressing limitations of traditional N95s and Power Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPRs).

Inconsistent national, state and local requirements about face mask wearing has contributed to confusion about one of the most effective ways to combat COVID-19. CleanSpace has consistently seen evidence that Power Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPRs) are the best for protecting healthcare workers and those most at risk for transmission.

New policy that’s come into effect in the United States as of 21 June 2021, encourages employers to select elastomeric respirators or PAPRs because they provide an additional level of comfort and protection for workers[1] and are less vulnerable to shortages and supply chain disruption. Since elastomeric respirators and PAPRs are reusable, they offer the advantage of repeated use by employees, both during and beyond the pandemic.[2]

“These workers, from healthcare, cleaning and quarantine, play a pivotal role in safeguarding the broader community. To ensure maximum protection, we at CleanSpace are committed to providing a reliable supply of the best possible protection in professional settings. We urge global and community health leaders to move beyond current practices and encourage PAPRs for healthcare workers,” said Dr Birrell.

[1]OHSHA Emergency Temporary Standard related to COVID-19, note to paragraph (q)(c)
[2]OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard related to COVID-19, note to paragraph (f)(2).