Compositions for reducing inhalation of toxic air pollution components

Abstract

The present invention relates to a composition, textile, and mask for reducing the inhalation of pollutants. The composition includes an aqueous solution of an inorganic iodide compound, a metal phthalocyanine, and a polymeric binder. The inorganic iodide can be cuprous iodide, the metal phthalocyanine can be iron phthalocyanine, and the polymeric binder can be polyvinylpyrrolidone or polyvinyl alcohol. This pollutant-inactivating composition neutralizes pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, ozone, volatile organic compounds and other unpleasant airborne agents, without requiring elevated temperatures or bulky canisters containing adsorbents. Optionally, a humectant can also be incorporated into the coating solution to retain moisture in the active filter matrix, which enhances the activity of the composition to inactivate oxidizing gases and other toxic constituents of air pollution.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composition for coating textiles or filter materials to reduce hazards associated with exposure to air pollution, the composition comprises an aqueous solution of (i) an inorganic iodide compound and (ii) polyvinylpyrrolidone. 
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the inorganic iodide compound is cuprous iodide. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1  further comprising a humectant selected from at least a non-ionic surfactant comprising a sugar alcohol moiety including but not limited to polysorbate 20, polysorbate 40, polysorbate 60, polysorbate 80, sodium pyroglutamate, xylitol and sorbitol. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1  further comprising titanium dioxide. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1  further comprising cyclodextrin. 
     
     
         6 . A textile having fibers coated with the composition of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         7 . The textile of  claim 6  wherein the textile is selected from at least one of polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon, rayon and cotton. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 3 , wherein (i) the inorganic iodide compound is between 0.25% and 5% by weight of the aqueous solution, (ii) the polyvinylpyrrolidone is between 1% and 5% of the aqueous solution, and (iii) the humectant agent is between 0.5% and 1% of the aqueous solution. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 3 , wherein (i) the inorganic iodide compound is cuprous iodide between 0.25% and 5% by weight of the aqueous solution, (ii) the polyvinylpyrrolidone is between 1% and 5% of the aqueous solution, and (iii) polysorbate 20 is between 0.5% and 1% of the aqueous solution.