Alternative Face Masks Made of Common Materials for General Public: Fractional Filtration Efficiency and Breathability Perspective
| Autor: | Qisheng Ou, David Y.H. Pui, Chenxing Pei, Seong Chan Kim, Sheng Chieh Chen |
|---|---|
| Rok vydání: | 2020 |
| Předmět: |
business.product_category
010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences Filter media Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Computer science Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Economic shortage 01 natural sciences Pollution Face masks Risk analysis (engineering) Environmental Chemistry Vacuum cleaner Respirator business 0105 earth and related environmental sciences Healthcare system |
| Zdroj: | Aerosol and Air Quality Research. 20:2581-2591 |
| ISSN: | 2071-1409 1680-8584 |
| Popis: | As COVID-19 pandemic has caused more than 24 million confirmed cases globally (as of August 28th, 2020), it is critical to slow down the spreading of SARS-CoV-2 to protect the healthcare system from overload Wearing a respirator or a mask has been proven as an effective method to protect both the wearer and others, but commercially available respirators and masks should be reserved for healthcare workers under a currently desperate shortage The use of alternative materials becomes an option for the general public to make the do-it-yourself (DIY) masks, with their efficacy seldom reported In this study, we tested commercial respirators and masks, furnace filters, vacuum cleaner filters, and common household materials We evaluated the materials’ fractional filtration efficiency and breathing resistance, which are primary factors affecting respiratory protection To compare the efficiency-resistance tradeoff, the figure of merit of each tested common material was also calculated Filter media with electrostatic charges (electret) is recommended due to its high efficiency with low flow resistance;multiple-layer household fabrics and sterilization wraps are acceptable materials;a coffee filter is inadvisable due to its low efficiency The outcome of this study can not only offer guidance for the general public under the current pandemic but also suggest the appropriate alternative respiratory protection materials under heavy air pollution episodes © The Author(s) |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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