Compostable medical face mask

A compostable medical mask comprising:

• a first compostable polymer outer non-woven fabric layer with a printable surface having a contact angle for print ink of less than approximately 90 degrees, the first compostable polymer outer non-woven fabric layer including bonded first compostable polymer fibers having first compostable polymer fiber diameters in a range from approximately 1 micron to approximately 100 microns,
• at least one second compostable polymer intermediate non-woven filtration layer;
• the at least one second compostable polymer intermediate non-woven filtration layer comprising second compostable polymer fibers having a second compostable polymer fiber diameter in a range from approximately 50 nanometers to approximately 800 nanometers;
• a third compostable polymer inner non-woven fabric layer for contacting a mask wearer, the third compostable polymer inner non-woven fabric layer including bonded third compostable polymer fibers having third compostable polymer fiber diameters in a range from approximately 1 micron to approximately 100 microns;
• a compostable nose piece with shape-memory capability such that, when the mask is worn by a user, a close fit against the user's nose is ensured;
• a compostable mask retainer having sufficient elasticity such that, when the mask is worn by a user, the mask is secured on to the user's face, creating a flexible seal between the mask and the user's face;
• wherein the first compostable polymer outer non-woven fabric layer and the at least one second compostable polymer intermediate non-woven filtration layer are both composite compostable electrospun nanofiber filtration layers formed on compostable spunbond fabric substrates;
• wherein the compostable spunbond fabric substrates comprise a first compostable polymer and a spunbond additive;
• wherein the electrospun nanofiber filtration layers comprise a second compostable polymer in a concentration of 3-46%, compostable hydrophobic additives in a concentration of 2-35%, and salt additives in a concentration of 0.1-0.5%;
• wherein the compostable medical mask has a bacterial filtration efficiency of at least 98%, a sub-micron particulate filtration efficiency of at least 98%, a viral filtration efficiency of at least 98%, a splash resistance repelling synthetic blood at 160 mmHg, and differential pressure of less than 5.0 mmH2O/cm2.