Posted on 04/08/2020 12:48:45 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Since the coronavirus pandemic broke out, we have seen various versions of face masks people use to protect themselves against the virus, be it store-bought or homemade. But just how effective are these masks?
To find out, a Japanese chemistry professor compared three different types of face masks in a science experiment: a surgical mask, a homemade paper towel mask and a homemade cloth mask.
Dr Tomoaki Okuda, an associate professor of applied chemistry at Keio University, measured how well the three masks could block airborne particles using a Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS).
To put it simply, the hose sucks the air in the room and measures its concentration of particles per cubic centimetre.
In his experiment, Okuda tuned the equipment to search for particles of virus size, which are estimated to be between 20 and 100 nanometers in diameter.
He wrapped the three masks around the opening of the hose and measured the number of air particles that were able to pass through. Here is a breakdown of his findings:
Surgical mask
With a store-bought surgical mask, the SMPS measured around 1,800 particles per cubic centimetre of air passing through. The results show that the mask has a collection efficiency of around 70 per cent, a high blockage rate for the estimated virus particle size.
Paper towel mask
Using three paper towels folded in half, Okuda tested a six-layer paper towel "mask". The SMPS measured around 1,000 particles per cubic centimetre of air passing through. With a collection efficiency of around 80 per cent, the paper towel mask appeared to be more effective in blocking out the estimated virus particle size compared to the surgical mask.
Cloth mask
A makeshift mask made out of a handkerchief folded thrice emulated the results of the surgical mask. The SMPS measured around 1,800 particles per cubic centimetre of air passing through, with a collection efficiency of around 70 per cent for the estimated virus particle size.
No mask
Additionally, Dr Okuda tested the hose without a mask covering it and the SMPS measured around 6,000 particles per cubic centimetre of air in the room that are between 10 and 150 nanometers in size.
So what does it mean? If we are near an infected person, there is potentially a lot of virus particles that we're breathing in.
Looking at the results, wearing a mask does seem to lower the chances of getting infected. Surprisingly, the mask fashioned from a handkerchief has the same effectiveness as a surgical mask, but even more so, who knew paper towels were the most effective?
However, regardless of which mask is the most effective, what's most important is to have good hygiene care and to wear masks properly. Here are also some tips on how to modify or wash your government-issued mask so that it can last longer.
Wet a paper towel and I bet it would capture even more.
I think there is a lot less of that going on than before.
Soak it in ethanol [everclear?] and have a good time.
whoa...turning of the lights...I didn’t even think of that. then I could open my eyes...
Exactly.
the point of all virus protection mechanisms is to *reduce the probability of infection* period.
as anyone mathematician knows in elementary probability, the layering of several defense mechanisms multiply the protective effect.
to propose a worst case, once size fits all protective mechanism against virus, is counter productive, potentially damaging (making the cure worse than the disease) and will fail due to impracticability anyway.
that is why multiple effective measures like, sanitizer, hand washing, mask, social distancing under certain conditions, etc., etc, all layer up to make for a near 100% effect.
VIVA thickest on market.
The PeakProsperity guy was referencing a study done by this outfit in California.
They tested multiple materials and said a cloth mask with two layers of blue shop towels, was equivalent to an N95.
They had 2 specific brands of shot towels.
His wife uses a sewing machine but strips of strong sticky (packing) tape should serve for the hemming.
“Suggesting plastic bag that way only a limited amount of air will become contaminated”
I was thinking of a tin-foil mask to complement my tin-foil hat. I’ll wrap the open bit around a breathing tube that’s routed into my pocket, where They won’t see it.
Ducktape?
6 layers of paper towel. Seems a lot but ok.
My neighbor sent me a video of an Italian man fashioning a mask out of a maxi pad that had four sides of adhesive. I cracked up and then realized that all those layers would probably be a good filter.
That is probably a good explanation of why I keep seeing so many people at the grocery stores wearing their masks over their mouth only and not covering their noses too... I keep wanting to ask them why bother, but just leave it alone.
Can you comfortably breathe through 6 layers of paper towel?
Yeah, make sure you cinch it tight around the neck.
This is the CCP way.
Clever
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