Filtration Performance of Layering Masks and Face Coverings and the Reusability of Cotton Masks after Repeated Washing and Drying
Abstract In this study, filtration efficiency of different respirators, face masks, and a 2-ply cotton handkerchief bandana was compared for particles in the size range of 60 nm–4 µm under a “perfect fit” condition. The filtration efficiency at the most penetrating particle size of 0.3 µm on average...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Springer
2021-08-01
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| Series: | Aerosol and Air Quality Research |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.210117 |
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| author | Sumit Sankhyan Karen N. Heinselman Peter N. Ciesielski Teresa Barnes Michael E. Himmel Hannah Teed Sameer Patel Marina E. Vance |
| author_facet | Sumit Sankhyan Karen N. Heinselman Peter N. Ciesielski Teresa Barnes Michael E. Himmel Hannah Teed Sameer Patel Marina E. Vance |
| author_sort | Sumit Sankhyan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract In this study, filtration efficiency of different respirators, face masks, and a 2-ply cotton handkerchief bandana was compared for particles in the size range of 60 nm–4 µm under a “perfect fit” condition. The filtration efficiency at the most penetrating particle size of 0.3 µm on average ranged from 83–99% for N95 and KN95 respirators, 42–88% for surgical masks, 16–23% for cloth masks, and 9% for bandana. We also investigated the effects of using double surgical masks or layering a cloth mask over various surgical masks in terms of their filtration characteristics. In most of these combinations, the filtration efficiency improved by ~25% for particles 0.3–1 µm in diameter without any substantial change in the filter quality factor when compared to the highest of the individual mask results. To investigate the reusability of cotton cloth masks, 2-layer cotton fabric sample coupons were machine washed and dried for 52 cycles leading to an increase in inhalation resistance (~20 Pa) without affecting size-resolved filtration efficiency. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that washing and drying led to the gradual deconstruction of cotton fibers at the scale of several micrometers to hundreds of nanometers in the form of delamination of the fiber wall and fibrillation of the nanofiber constituents. Results indicate that cloth masks may be layered over surgical masks for additional benefits, and that cloth masks made out of cotton fabric can be washed and reused numerous times without a significant loss in filtration efficiency. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-daa0804690d54c9ebc72ea6ad79249a5 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1680-8584 2071-1409 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2021-08-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Aerosol and Air Quality Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-daa0804690d54c9ebc72ea6ad79249a52025-02-09T12:20:30ZengSpringerAerosol and Air Quality Research1680-85842071-14092021-08-01211111310.4209/aaqr.210117Filtration Performance of Layering Masks and Face Coverings and the Reusability of Cotton Masks after Repeated Washing and DryingSumit Sankhyan0Karen N. Heinselman1Peter N. Ciesielski2Teresa Barnes3Michael E. Himmel4Hannah Teed5Sameer Patel6Marina E. Vance7Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado BoulderRenewable Resources and Enabling Sciences Center, National Renewable Energy LaboratoryRenewable Resources and Enabling Sciences Center, National Renewable Energy LaboratoryRenewable Resources and Enabling Sciences Center, National Renewable Energy LaboratoryRenewable Resources and Enabling Sciences Center, National Renewable Energy LaboratoryEnvironmental Engineering Program, University of Colorado BoulderDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado BoulderDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado BoulderAbstract In this study, filtration efficiency of different respirators, face masks, and a 2-ply cotton handkerchief bandana was compared for particles in the size range of 60 nm–4 µm under a “perfect fit” condition. The filtration efficiency at the most penetrating particle size of 0.3 µm on average ranged from 83–99% for N95 and KN95 respirators, 42–88% for surgical masks, 16–23% for cloth masks, and 9% for bandana. We also investigated the effects of using double surgical masks or layering a cloth mask over various surgical masks in terms of their filtration characteristics. In most of these combinations, the filtration efficiency improved by ~25% for particles 0.3–1 µm in diameter without any substantial change in the filter quality factor when compared to the highest of the individual mask results. To investigate the reusability of cotton cloth masks, 2-layer cotton fabric sample coupons were machine washed and dried for 52 cycles leading to an increase in inhalation resistance (~20 Pa) without affecting size-resolved filtration efficiency. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that washing and drying led to the gradual deconstruction of cotton fibers at the scale of several micrometers to hundreds of nanometers in the form of delamination of the fiber wall and fibrillation of the nanofiber constituents. Results indicate that cloth masks may be layered over surgical masks for additional benefits, and that cloth masks made out of cotton fabric can be washed and reused numerous times without a significant loss in filtration efficiency.https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.210117COVID-19WildfireFilter quality factorPPE |
| spellingShingle | Sumit Sankhyan Karen N. Heinselman Peter N. Ciesielski Teresa Barnes Michael E. Himmel Hannah Teed Sameer Patel Marina E. Vance Filtration Performance of Layering Masks and Face Coverings and the Reusability of Cotton Masks after Repeated Washing and Drying Aerosol and Air Quality Research COVID-19 Wildfire Filter quality factor PPE |
| title | Filtration Performance of Layering Masks and Face Coverings and the Reusability of Cotton Masks after Repeated Washing and Drying |
| title_full | Filtration Performance of Layering Masks and Face Coverings and the Reusability of Cotton Masks after Repeated Washing and Drying |
| title_fullStr | Filtration Performance of Layering Masks and Face Coverings and the Reusability of Cotton Masks after Repeated Washing and Drying |
| title_full_unstemmed | Filtration Performance of Layering Masks and Face Coverings and the Reusability of Cotton Masks after Repeated Washing and Drying |
| title_short | Filtration Performance of Layering Masks and Face Coverings and the Reusability of Cotton Masks after Repeated Washing and Drying |
| title_sort | filtration performance of layering masks and face coverings and the reusability of cotton masks after repeated washing and drying |
| topic | COVID-19 Wildfire Filter quality factor PPE |
| url | https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.210117 |
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