A comparison of performance metrics for cloth masks as source control devices for simulated cough and exhalation aerosols.

ABSTRACT: Universal mask wearing is recommended to help control the spread of COVID-19. Masks reduce the expulsion of aerosols of respiratory fluids into the environment (called source control) and offer some protection to the wearer. Masks are often characterized using filtration efficiency, airflow resistance, and manikin or human fit factors, which are standard metrics used for personal protective devices. However, none of these metrics are direct measurements of how effectively a mask blocks coughed and exhaled aerosols. We studied the source control performance of 15 cloth masks (face masks, neck gaiters, and bandanas), two medical masks, and two N95 filtering facepiece respirators by measuring their ability to block aerosols ≤ 7 μm expelled during simulated coughing and exhalation (called sour

SUBMITTER: Lindsley WG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9345405 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature