Ability of fabric face mask materials to filter ultrafine particles at coughing velocity.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

We examined the ability of fabrics which might be used to create home-made face masks to filter out ultrafine (0.02-0.1 µm) particles at the velocity of adult human coughing.

Methods

Twenty commonly available fabrics and materials were evaluated for their ability to reduce air concentrations of ultrafine particles at coughing face velocities. Further assessment was made on the filtration ability of selected fabrics while damp and of fabric combinations which might be used to construct home-made masks.

Results

Single fabric layers blocked a range of ultrafine particles. When fabrics were layered, a higher percentage of ultrafine particles were filtered. The average filtration efficiency of single layer fabrics and of layered combination was found to be 35% an

SUBMITTER: O'Kelly E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7509966 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature