Future Microbiol . COVID-19: mask efficacy is dependent on both fabric and fit

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Future Microbiol


. 2020 Dec 22.
doi: 10.2217/fmb-2020-0292. Online ahead of print.
COVID-19: mask efficacy is dependent on both fabric and fit


Steven Darby ¹ , Krishnakumar Chulliyallipalil ¹ , Milosz Przyjalgowski ¹ , Paddy McGowan ² , Simon Jeffers ³ , Alan Giltinan ³ , Liam Lewis ¹ , Niall Smith ³ , Roy D Sleator ⁴



Affiliations

• PMID: 33350330
• DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2020-0292

Abstract

Aim: Face masks are an important addition to our arsenal in the fight against COVID-19. The aim of this study is to present a novel method of measuring mask performance which can simultaneously assess both fabric penetration and leakage due to poor fit. Materials & methods: A synthetic aerosol is introduced into the lung of a medical dummy. A conical laser sheet surrounds the face of the dummy where it illuminates the aerosol emitted during a simulated breath. The system is demonstrated with five mask types. Conclusions: The curved laser sheet highlights both penetration through the mask fabric and leakage around the edges of the mask. A large variation in both material penetration and leakage was observed.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; aerosols; coronaviruses; droplets; face coverings; masks.