Besides being a quality face mask, BARC produced kit is also cost-effective

After emerging as the world’s major PPE kits manufacturer which also included developing the world’s first reusable PPE suits, India is becoming a key developer of high quality face mask, using High-Efficiency Particulate Absorbing filter.

Developed by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) Mumbai, the face mask is cost-effective also.

This was revealed by Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, while talking about major achievements of the BARC in the last one year.

In addition to the high quality face mask, the Union Minister informed that the nuclear scientists have also developed the protocol for re-use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) subsequent to radiation sterilization.

The SOP for the same is under consideration by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, he added.

Identification of new regions to develop RTPCR testing kits has also been accomplished, said Dr Jitendra Singh. The kit is relatively more economic and expected to analyse relatively faster, he said.

Dr Jitendra Singh said one of the important achievements under the Modi government has been that it has extended the activities of atomic energy to different parts of the country whereas hitherto it remained confined mostly to a few states in south India or in west like Maharashtra.

He informed that the work is in progress to set up the first nuclear plant in north India at a place called Gorakhpur which is quite close to Delhi.

Talking about special impetus and budgetary allocation provided to Department of Atomic Energy during the last six years, Dr Jitendra Singh referred to the 20 Lakh Crore package announced by the Prime Minister and said that this also includes the setting up of irradiation plants across the country to prolong the shelf life of variety of fruits and vegetables.