Filtration Performance and Fiber Shedding Behavior in Common Respirator and Face Mask Materials
Abstract Wearing respirators and face masks is effective for protecting the public from COVID-19 infection. Thus, there is a need to evaluate the performance of the commonly used respirators and face masks. Two experimental systems were developed to investigate seven different mask materials, which...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Springer
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Aerosol and Air Quality Research |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.220387 |
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| _version_ | 1823862823153827840 |
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| author | Qingfeng Cao Seong Chan Kim Qisheng Ou Hoo Young Chung Weiqi Chen William Durfee Susan Arnold Marc A. Hillmyer Linsey A. Griffin David Y. H. Pui |
| author_facet | Qingfeng Cao Seong Chan Kim Qisheng Ou Hoo Young Chung Weiqi Chen William Durfee Susan Arnold Marc A. Hillmyer Linsey A. Griffin David Y. H. Pui |
| author_sort | Qingfeng Cao |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Wearing respirators and face masks is effective for protecting the public from COVID-19 infection. Thus, there is a need to evaluate the performance of the commonly used respirators and face masks. Two experimental systems were developed to investigate seven different mask materials, which have a fiber size range from 0.1 µm (100 nm) to 20 µm (20,000 nm). One of the systems is a computer-controlled setup for measuring the filtration performance, including size-dependent filtration efficiency and pressure drop, while the other system is for testing the fiber shedding behavior of the materials. The technique of scanning electron microscope (SEM) was applied to observe the dimensions and structures of those materials, which are made of nonwoven-fabrics electret-treated media, cotton woven fabrics, or nanofiber media. The study indicated that the 3M N95 respirator has the best overall filtration performance with over 95% efficiency and low pressure drop of 74.1 Pa. The two commercial cotton face masks have the worst filtration performance in general, with a filtration efficiency of around 25%. No broken fibers from by the seven tested respirator and face mask materials were discovered; however, dendrite structures likely shed by the SHEMA97 face mask with a size comparable to its nanoscale fibers were identified. The reason for this phenomena is presented. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-81e2008a9c7a4088b9aa08b719b9f34f |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1680-8584 2071-1409 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Aerosol and Air Quality Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-81e2008a9c7a4088b9aa08b719b9f34f2025-02-09T12:22:09ZengSpringerAerosol and Air Quality Research1680-85842071-14092023-01-0123311410.4209/aaqr.220387Filtration Performance and Fiber Shedding Behavior in Common Respirator and Face Mask MaterialsQingfeng Cao0Seong Chan Kim1Qisheng Ou2Hoo Young Chung3Weiqi Chen4William Durfee5Susan Arnold6Marc A. Hillmyer7Linsey A. Griffin8David Y. H. Pui9Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of MinnesotaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, University of MinnesotaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, University of MinnesotaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, University of MinnesotaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, University of MinnesotaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, University of MinnesotaDivision of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of MinnesotaDepartment of Chemistry, University of MinnesotaCollege of Design, University of MinnesotaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, University of MinnesotaAbstract Wearing respirators and face masks is effective for protecting the public from COVID-19 infection. Thus, there is a need to evaluate the performance of the commonly used respirators and face masks. Two experimental systems were developed to investigate seven different mask materials, which have a fiber size range from 0.1 µm (100 nm) to 20 µm (20,000 nm). One of the systems is a computer-controlled setup for measuring the filtration performance, including size-dependent filtration efficiency and pressure drop, while the other system is for testing the fiber shedding behavior of the materials. The technique of scanning electron microscope (SEM) was applied to observe the dimensions and structures of those materials, which are made of nonwoven-fabrics electret-treated media, cotton woven fabrics, or nanofiber media. The study indicated that the 3M N95 respirator has the best overall filtration performance with over 95% efficiency and low pressure drop of 74.1 Pa. The two commercial cotton face masks have the worst filtration performance in general, with a filtration efficiency of around 25%. No broken fibers from by the seven tested respirator and face mask materials were discovered; however, dendrite structures likely shed by the SHEMA97 face mask with a size comparable to its nanoscale fibers were identified. The reason for this phenomena is presented.https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.220387Face maskFiltration efficiencyBreathabilityFiber sheddingFiber structures |
| spellingShingle | Qingfeng Cao Seong Chan Kim Qisheng Ou Hoo Young Chung Weiqi Chen William Durfee Susan Arnold Marc A. Hillmyer Linsey A. Griffin David Y. H. Pui Filtration Performance and Fiber Shedding Behavior in Common Respirator and Face Mask Materials Aerosol and Air Quality Research Face mask Filtration efficiency Breathability Fiber shedding Fiber structures |
| title | Filtration Performance and Fiber Shedding Behavior in Common Respirator and Face Mask Materials |
| title_full | Filtration Performance and Fiber Shedding Behavior in Common Respirator and Face Mask Materials |
| title_fullStr | Filtration Performance and Fiber Shedding Behavior in Common Respirator and Face Mask Materials |
| title_full_unstemmed | Filtration Performance and Fiber Shedding Behavior in Common Respirator and Face Mask Materials |
| title_short | Filtration Performance and Fiber Shedding Behavior in Common Respirator and Face Mask Materials |
| title_sort | filtration performance and fiber shedding behavior in common respirator and face mask materials |
| topic | Face mask Filtration efficiency Breathability Fiber shedding Fiber structures |
| url | https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.220387 |
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