Filtration efficiency of medical and community face masks against particles carrying SARS-CoV-2
Introduction: Airborne bioaerosols like SARS-CoV-2 can pose a significant threat to the respiratory system of humans. Airborne bioaerosols, such as SARS-CoV-2, pose significant respiratory risks. Wearing respiratory masks is a preventive measure to reduce exposure and control the transmission of ai...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Tehran University of Medical Sciences
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Journal of Air Pollution and Health |
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| Online Access: | https://japh.tums.ac.ir/index.php/japh/article/view/842 |
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| author | Sara Dalvand Rasul Nasiri Rasoul Yarahmadi Farah Bokharaei-Salim Ali-Asghar Farshad Somayeh Soleimani-Alyar |
| author_facet | Sara Dalvand Rasul Nasiri Rasoul Yarahmadi Farah Bokharaei-Salim Ali-Asghar Farshad Somayeh Soleimani-Alyar |
| author_sort | Sara Dalvand |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Introduction: Airborne bioaerosols like SARS-CoV-2 can pose a significant threat to the respiratory system of humans. Airborne bioaerosols, such as SARS-CoV-2, pose significant respiratory risks. Wearing respiratory masks is a preventive measure to reduce exposure and control the transmission of airborne diseases. Hence, this study aims to assess the effectiveness of the masks in filtering airborne particulates, specifically those that carry SARSCoV-2.
Materials and methods: The filtration efficiency of three types of face masks was investigated for particulate matters in a laboratory setup using a custom-designed system, including a human head mannequin and controlled aerosol injection. Air samples were also collected from the breathing zone of COVID-19 patients in hospital settings, both with and without masks. Data analysis used Python tools, including Seaborn and Matplotlib, to generate visual insights.
Results: The study findings revealed variations in particle penetration and filtration efficiency of the tested masks for particles and SARS-CoV-2 based on mask types. The particles smaller than 700 nm penetrated N95 masks by 4.61%, with efficiency reaching 99.2% as particle size increased. Particle filtration efficiency for other masks, including surgical masks, ranged from 31%-68%, and for cloth masks, it was between 28%-86%.
Conclusion: The effectiveness of respiratory masks in preventing the transmission of airborne particles and viruses, like SARS-CoV-2, into the human respiratory system and regular use of suitable respiratory masks can
help control disease transmission, especially in high-risk environments such as hospitals. In summary, using respiratory masks is essential in reducing the spread of airborne viruses and improving public health.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-11ffd49d7ffc491e90d59ce65a4b77b2 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2476-3071 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Tehran University of Medical Sciences |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Air Pollution and Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-11ffd49d7ffc491e90d59ce65a4b77b22025-02-09T09:03:16ZengTehran University of Medical SciencesJournal of Air Pollution and Health2476-30712024-12-019410.18502/japh.v9i4.17649Filtration efficiency of medical and community face masks against particles carrying SARS-CoV-2Sara Dalvand0Rasul Nasiri1Rasoul Yarahmadi2Farah Bokharaei-Salim3Ali-Asghar Farshad4Somayeh Soleimani-Alyar5Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.Air Pollution Research Center, Iran University of Medical SciencesProfessor, Air Pollution Research Center, Department of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranProfessor, Department of Medical Virology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.Professor, Occupational Health Research Center, Department of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran1. Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Introduction: Airborne bioaerosols like SARS-CoV-2 can pose a significant threat to the respiratory system of humans. Airborne bioaerosols, such as SARS-CoV-2, pose significant respiratory risks. Wearing respiratory masks is a preventive measure to reduce exposure and control the transmission of airborne diseases. Hence, this study aims to assess the effectiveness of the masks in filtering airborne particulates, specifically those that carry SARSCoV-2. Materials and methods: The filtration efficiency of three types of face masks was investigated for particulate matters in a laboratory setup using a custom-designed system, including a human head mannequin and controlled aerosol injection. Air samples were also collected from the breathing zone of COVID-19 patients in hospital settings, both with and without masks. Data analysis used Python tools, including Seaborn and Matplotlib, to generate visual insights. Results: The study findings revealed variations in particle penetration and filtration efficiency of the tested masks for particles and SARS-CoV-2 based on mask types. The particles smaller than 700 nm penetrated N95 masks by 4.61%, with efficiency reaching 99.2% as particle size increased. Particle filtration efficiency for other masks, including surgical masks, ranged from 31%-68%, and for cloth masks, it was between 28%-86%. Conclusion: The effectiveness of respiratory masks in preventing the transmission of airborne particles and viruses, like SARS-CoV-2, into the human respiratory system and regular use of suitable respiratory masks can help control disease transmission, especially in high-risk environments such as hospitals. In summary, using respiratory masks is essential in reducing the spread of airborne viruses and improving public health. https://japh.tums.ac.ir/index.php/japh/article/view/842Face masks; Filtration capacity; SARSCoV-2; Bioaerosol; Airborne particulates |
| spellingShingle | Sara Dalvand Rasul Nasiri Rasoul Yarahmadi Farah Bokharaei-Salim Ali-Asghar Farshad Somayeh Soleimani-Alyar Filtration efficiency of medical and community face masks against particles carrying SARS-CoV-2 Journal of Air Pollution and Health Face masks; Filtration capacity; SARSCoV-2; Bioaerosol; Airborne particulates |
| title | Filtration efficiency of medical and community face masks against particles carrying SARS-CoV-2 |
| title_full | Filtration efficiency of medical and community face masks against particles carrying SARS-CoV-2 |
| title_fullStr | Filtration efficiency of medical and community face masks against particles carrying SARS-CoV-2 |
| title_full_unstemmed | Filtration efficiency of medical and community face masks against particles carrying SARS-CoV-2 |
| title_short | Filtration efficiency of medical and community face masks against particles carrying SARS-CoV-2 |
| title_sort | filtration efficiency of medical and community face masks against particles carrying sars cov 2 |
| topic | Face masks; Filtration capacity; SARSCoV-2; Bioaerosol; Airborne particulates |
| url | https://japh.tums.ac.ir/index.php/japh/article/view/842 |
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