Mask Material Filtration Efficiency and Mask Fitting at the Crossroads: Implications during Pandemic Times
Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic triggered the widespread use and need for respirators and face masks for the healthcare workers and public. In this study, several generally available respirators and mask designs were fit tested, and their materials were evaluated for filtration efficiency using 250 n...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Springer
2021-03-01
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| Series: | Aerosol and Air Quality Research |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.200571 |
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| author | Karin Ardon-Dryer Juliusz Warzywoda Rumeysa Tekin Jnev Biros Sharilyn Almodovar Brandon L. Weeks Louisa J. Hope-Weeks Albert Sacco |
| author_facet | Karin Ardon-Dryer Juliusz Warzywoda Rumeysa Tekin Jnev Biros Sharilyn Almodovar Brandon L. Weeks Louisa J. Hope-Weeks Albert Sacco |
| author_sort | Karin Ardon-Dryer |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic triggered the widespread use and need for respirators and face masks for the healthcare workers and public. In this study, several generally available respirators and mask designs were fit tested, and their materials were evaluated for filtration efficiency using 250 nm polystyrene latex particles. Efficiency testing was performed for 2 and 0.5 h at low (2.6 L min−1) and high (7.4 L min−1) airflows, respectively, using ~17.4 cm2 material area. As expected, all N95 and KN95 respirators passed the fit test, and their materials showed efficiencies > 95% for the entire experiment at both airflows. Of the three air filters used in the 3D-printed Montana masks, only the HEPA filter had a filtration efficiency > 95% at both airflows. Regardless of the insert material, the Montana mask failed all fit tests. Homemade duckbill masks made of Halyard H600 sterilization wrap and WypAll X80 reusable wipe also failed the fit test, and both filter materials had an average filtration efficiency < 95% at high airflows. To explain the filtration efficiency results, the structure and composition of all filter materials were determined using FE-SEM, and IR and Raman spectroscopy. In conclusion, when highly efficient materials are used in masks that do not fit the users properly, the potential of these materials to protect the users from aerosols is compromised. Therefore, the mask design is as important as the filtration efficiency of the mask material. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3c832fb8b8444c60a5fa796294cbf29f |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1680-8584 2071-1409 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2021-03-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Aerosol and Air Quality Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-3c832fb8b8444c60a5fa796294cbf29f2025-02-09T12:20:12ZengSpringerAerosol and Air Quality Research1680-85842071-14092021-03-0121711510.4209/aaqr.200571Mask Material Filtration Efficiency and Mask Fitting at the Crossroads: Implications during Pandemic TimesKarin Ardon-Dryer0Juliusz Warzywoda1Rumeysa Tekin2Jnev Biros3Sharilyn Almodovar4Brandon L. Weeks5Louisa J. Hope-Weeks6Albert Sacco7Department of Geosciences, Atmospheric Science Group, Texas Tech UniversityMaterials Characterization Center, Edward E. Whitacre Jr. College of Engineering, Texas Tech UniversityMaterials Characterization Center, Edward E. Whitacre Jr. College of Engineering, Texas Tech UniversityEdward E. Whitacre Jr. College of Engineering, Texas Tech UniversityDepartment of Immunology and Molecular Microbiology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences CenterDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Texas Tech UniversityDepartment of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech UniversityEdward E. Whitacre Jr. College of Engineering, Texas Tech UniversityAbstract The COVID-19 pandemic triggered the widespread use and need for respirators and face masks for the healthcare workers and public. In this study, several generally available respirators and mask designs were fit tested, and their materials were evaluated for filtration efficiency using 250 nm polystyrene latex particles. Efficiency testing was performed for 2 and 0.5 h at low (2.6 L min−1) and high (7.4 L min−1) airflows, respectively, using ~17.4 cm2 material area. As expected, all N95 and KN95 respirators passed the fit test, and their materials showed efficiencies > 95% for the entire experiment at both airflows. Of the three air filters used in the 3D-printed Montana masks, only the HEPA filter had a filtration efficiency > 95% at both airflows. Regardless of the insert material, the Montana mask failed all fit tests. Homemade duckbill masks made of Halyard H600 sterilization wrap and WypAll X80 reusable wipe also failed the fit test, and both filter materials had an average filtration efficiency < 95% at high airflows. To explain the filtration efficiency results, the structure and composition of all filter materials were determined using FE-SEM, and IR and Raman spectroscopy. In conclusion, when highly efficient materials are used in masks that do not fit the users properly, the potential of these materials to protect the users from aerosols is compromised. Therefore, the mask design is as important as the filtration efficiency of the mask material.https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.200571RespiratorsFace masksDuckbill masksFiltration efficiency |
| spellingShingle | Karin Ardon-Dryer Juliusz Warzywoda Rumeysa Tekin Jnev Biros Sharilyn Almodovar Brandon L. Weeks Louisa J. Hope-Weeks Albert Sacco Mask Material Filtration Efficiency and Mask Fitting at the Crossroads: Implications during Pandemic Times Aerosol and Air Quality Research Respirators Face masks Duckbill masks Filtration efficiency |
| title | Mask Material Filtration Efficiency and Mask Fitting at the Crossroads: Implications during Pandemic Times |
| title_full | Mask Material Filtration Efficiency and Mask Fitting at the Crossroads: Implications during Pandemic Times |
| title_fullStr | Mask Material Filtration Efficiency and Mask Fitting at the Crossroads: Implications during Pandemic Times |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mask Material Filtration Efficiency and Mask Fitting at the Crossroads: Implications during Pandemic Times |
| title_short | Mask Material Filtration Efficiency and Mask Fitting at the Crossroads: Implications during Pandemic Times |
| title_sort | mask material filtration efficiency and mask fitting at the crossroads implications during pandemic times |
| topic | Respirators Face masks Duckbill masks Filtration efficiency |
| url | https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.200571 |
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