E-25: CASSAVA-BASED ECO-MASK FILTER WITH COPPER CONCENTRATION

A RESEARCH PAPER
Presented to
The Senior High School Department
La Consolacion College Tanauan
Tanauan, City, Batangas

In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements in
Practical Research 2

Verosil, Alexa Margaret L.

Barrion, Earl Christian A.
Carandang, Carl Andrew A.
Mabala, Nathaniel G.
Maullon, Tristan Jay A.

December 2021
 CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Chapter 1 includes the introduction, background of the study, theoretical framework,

conceptual framework, statement of the problem, scope and delimitation, significance of the
study, and definition of terms that are used in this study.

Introduction

People are aware of the pollution occurring in our surroundings, not only by land and air
but also in waters. The sudden rise of the pandemic has struck both health and economic state
which results in some case increases and panic buying. These actions give chances to those
manufacturers who only go for people's money because we are in a rush to, of course, protect
ourselves from the said virus outbreak. One of those products is face masks, it prevents us
from spreading and acquiring such viruses which are now necessary all around the world.
Setting aside, are you sure about the impact of face masks in our environment? What pollution
brings in our communities and the negative effects of it?

When the pandemic ends, people will surely disregard the use of face masks because
all is back to normal, but how about the Earth's situation? Disposable face masks are seen
scattered in areas near the ocean and places on land which aren't biodegradable. Let's say that
it will soon vanish, but it'll take years for it to decompose. If only there's a product which can
help us in both ways: avoid catching the virus and helping our environment by using eco-
friendlier products including necessary items. That is what we are offering in this research, an
eco-friendly disposable face mask filter used in a washable face mask cloth which doubles the
efficiency of not catching the virus and when disposed of will be easily decomposed and will
also benefit our soils.

This face mask will provide multiple advantages for our community, as well as to our
environment. Some of the common problems surrounding our environment is the plastic
pollution which will be reduced if eco-friendly things are used. This research will help
determine the benefits of disposable face mask, asserting its ability to bring our community to
an advantage.
Background of the Study

Covid-19 is an ongoing pandemic and is one of the greatest threats to global economic and
social stability. It is also up there with the pandemic, Black Death. According to the World Health
Organization (2020), the only forms of protection we can do, is to take simple precautions, such as
social distancing, wearing face masks, keeping rooms well ventilated, avoiding crowds, cleaning
our hands thoroughly, coughing into a form of a bent elbow or on a tissue and by vaccination. Face
masks have been used since the outbreak began back on December 19, 2019, to prevent the
transmission of the virus as said by the WHO. It has been the most used Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE), alongside the Philippines’ face shield.

Mismanagement of PPEs threatens the environment as it can develop a new form of

pollution. Researchers said that it is necessary to come up with a new way to manage and dispose
of the used ones. Implementation of an innovative way to reduce the impact on the environment
by the massive use of face masks is needed. Solid waste management is a must to prevent rising
pollution as it can spoil the streets and our environment if waste management is not incorporated.

The audience of this study is those who work every day. This will reduce the use of
disposable masks. Instead, biodegradable masks will be used to lessen the waste. As provided by
Trafton (2021), the Covid-19 pandemic is estimated to generate up to 7,200 tons of medical waste
every day, much of which are disposable masks. This has a huge impact on the environment;
everyone will be affected by this sooner if it’s not stopped. This will give the idea of how
dangerous this disposable mask is to the environment and enlighten them that a biodegradable
mask is a move.

The purpose of this statement is to find our if this face mask filter made from cassava
starch with copper concentration can be an alternative for disposable masks during this pandemic.
This will also help raise awareness about the dangerous effects of disposable masks that we are
used to. Bondaroff (2019) said that single-use face masks — both the disposable kind the general
public wears and medical-grade surgical masks — are often made with polypropylene plastic.
When that plastic breaks up into smaller pieces, it can take as long as 450 years to decompose.
This project will utilize biodegradable and environmentally friendly products to reduce pollution.
This will also decrease the number of plastics used by disposable masks.
 Some problems or thoughts made the researcher choose to do this study, as we do not
know when this virus will end, do we have such enough supply of materials used in making face
masks especially filters since there was once a shortage of it before. In case of shortage of the
materials used in face masks, what alternative way or materials should we use in making face
masks such as its filters. We do not know how long the virus will be present as well as how long
we will wear facemasks to protect ourselves against this virus. In this study, the researcher aims to
use cassava starch and concentrated copper to produce a filter of the facemask. Hence, the
problems such as how it will be done, the procedures or process, the changes, the methods used in
the study, the efficiency of this new product, along with the research questions and problems
should be answered throughout this study. This study also aims to reduce the use of plastic in
making face masks since we already recognize plastic as a problem in polluting our environment,
so the researchers used environmentally friendly materials.

Statement of the Problem

The study aims to identify the effects of having an eco-friendly mask filter made from
cassava with a copper concentration on the environment and what it can establish for the country.
This study will answer the following questions:

1. What is the impact of excessive mask waste on the environment?

2. What is the best alternative non-biodegradable protective mask to alleviate
pollution?
3. What are the possible solutions to ease the excessive mask waste during this time of
pandemic?
Theoretical Framework

The theory of Ajzen (1991) called “Theory of Planned Behavior” (TPB) was develop as an
attempt to predict an individual’s behavior. This theory suggests that behavioral intentions are
determined by a mixture of three factors: attitude toward the behavior, subjective norms, and
perceived behavioral control. And this is the basis of the study, However, the researchers use an
extended or a derivative model of the theory by Chan and Bishop (2013) known as “Extended Theory
of Planned Behavior” (ETPB) in addition of moral norms as one the basis of recycling. This theory
suggest that moral norms is one of the major factors that affect the people’s recycling intention and
behavior.

Figure 1. Extended Theory of planned behavior

The said theory will be applied by the researchers to determine each construct to understand
and formulate conclusions regarding the making of E25 mask.
 Attitude. This section refers to individual’s perception to its action, whether it is positive or
negative. Thus, the researcher thinks that the making of E25 mask is a positive action towards the
environment in line to its goal to have a recyclable and eco-friendly face mask.

Subjective norm. This portion focuses to everything that is around the individual that affects
and influences its decision. And with this, it is concerned that most of the people including the
researchers does a onetime use of surgical facemask. It is also assumed that even if there is a reusable
facemask, people are more favored and still use disposable face mask.

Moral norms. This part refers to the moral norms such as beliefs and rules, of which the
people ought to follow. In relation to this, the research workers want to observe environmental
stewardship that every people should do. The researchers believe that the E25 mask will provide a
positive environment effect since it is composed mostly of ecofriendly and recyclable material that is
not considered as microplastics that pollutes the nature.

Perceived behavioral control. This segment is about the person’s belief on how hard or easy
is it to display or act in a certain way. In accordance with this, the researchers suppose that the E25
mask is achievable, however, it is somehow challenging due to current pandemic that created lots of
hindrances that limits the researchers to act.

Recycling intention. It refers to the intention of an individual and the reason why a person
behave in a certain way. And with respect, the researcher’s intention is to reduce the pollution of
micro-plastics brought by the excessive use of surgical facemask.

Recycling behavior. This refers to the behavior or display action of a certain person. To be
precise, the intention of the researchers to reduce the pollution of micro-plastic to environment has
resulted the researchers to create an alternative face mask composed of eco-friendly material
Conceptual Framework

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

 Data gathering
 Analysis Cassava-based filter
Face mask
pollution  Designing with copper
 Experimental concentration

 Testing

Figure 2. Conceptual Model of the Study

Figure 2 illustrates the ideas that should be addressed in the study. The input
contains the problem of the study. The process includes the procedure of making the
product. During the process, the mask will be analyzed to see if it is biodegradable and
can filter microbes. The completed result is referred to as the output.

Hypothesis

1. Mask with E25 mask filter is more comfortable to use than an accustomed
mask and surgical mask
2. Plant-based masks take about 4-7 months to decompose while regular
disposable masks take about 400 plus years to completely decompose.

Scope and Delimitation

 The intention of this study is to prove if the cassava-based filter with copper
concentration can be a substitute to the normal polypropylene filter focused on an eco-
friendlier approach to avoid having a new type of mask pollution, this pandemic and in
the future, that might affect every individual and the environment.

This will mainly assess the different factors which may be encouraged in having
the cassava-based eco-mask filter with copper concentration, as well as the benefits which
it may bring not only for the community but also for the environment. The reason for this
is to alleviate the pollution from the excessive use of face masks.

Significance of the Study

This research is conducted to identify the effectiveness of cassava-based mask filters

infused with copper concentration. Specifically, its significance to the community, environment,
frontliners or health workers, and future researchers.

The Commuters. This includes the adults, the children, elders, and other civilians. They
may gain information on what they must know when it comes to providing safety for their family
members and themselves. The people will get a hold on how E25 can provide better protection
especially for daily use.

The Environment. The environment is the main reason why we are conducting this study
which will highly benefit it if eco-masks are implemented. It is to lessen the rate of plastic waste
production caused by excessive use of disposable masks which takes hundreds of years to
disintegrate. Once implemented, this will lessen the pollution, specifically micro-plastic pollution
around the oceans and land, earlier than sooner.

The Frontliners / Health Workers. This will benefit them since they are mostly exposed
to the virus because of their work and surroundings. Having a good and efficient mask is a must
for frontliners. This will give them protection and it will be budget-friendly so disposing of it
won’t be a bother for they do not need to repurchase masks since it is only a filter.
 The Future Researchers. This study will provide insights and data which will help other
researchers with their conduct of similar studies. They may use this as a reference for their work
and help give information about the good effects of eco-friendly personal protection equipment.

Definition of Terms

This is provided to fully understand the terms or words seen in this study. The contents of
this research will be defined and listed below, here are some terms to start with:

Cassava Starch. It pertains to the main component that will help build the base of the
mask filter.

Concentration. It is the proportion of components included in the mask would be

evaluated to see whether it would be effective or not.
Bibliography

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recommend how to properly dispose of single-use face masks and explain why
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Chan, L., & Bishop, B. (2013). A moral basis for recycling: Extending the theory
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Trafton, A. (2021). The environmental toll of disposable masks: A new study calculates
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