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.
For the general population masks mainly are effective when worn by infected persons.
If all wear them then we catch those that are infected whether they don’t. know it. or do know but don’t want to be. stigmatized.
Shouldn’t my mask also be protecting you from me?
I tried a micro-cloth and breathing is tuff.
The Quicker-picker-upper.
For the general population masks mainly are effective when worn by infected persons.
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The article makes a pretty good case for them being effective for those not infected also. Seemed like common sense and made it frustrating to hear the ‘experts’ say the same thing you did.
I was gonna say.
Is it high-quality Bounty? Or some low-cost thing like Scott or worse?
A mask worn by an infected person will also reduce the energy of particulates expressed by that person. Thus, even sneezing will not expel as much mucus nor will the mucus getting through the mask go as far a distance.
The test shows effectiveness in terms of particles per CCM. But it doesn’t show efficiency. Based on their test parameters, plastic wrap would be even more effective in reducing particle intake. But at a rather significant cost to efficiency.
So while six layers of paper towels might be effective, it might also make breathing a lot more difficult. Especially for those who may be sick.
Suggesting plastic bag that way only a limited amount of air will become contaminated
“The article makes a pretty good case for them being effective for those not infected also. Seemed like common sense and made it frustrating to hear the ‘experts’ say the same thing you did.”
The article only does some crude filtration comparisons.
Nowhere is there any mention of infection modes.
The truth is unless you are in close contact with an infected person you have a VERY small chance of becoming infected. Wearing a mask only makes a VERY small chance a little bit smaller.
The effectiveness of the mask in the general population is to catch the particles of the infected person inside the mask before they get sprayed on the uninfected person.
Imma guess the bounty because of the absorbing effects. But how long is a paper towel mask good for?
Imma guess the bounty because of the absorbing effects. But how long is a paper towel mask good for?
Whatever paper towels were still on the shelves are now gone.
and fewer people will be … infected.
Or infect-able.
The people with masks are always touching their mask
2 surgical masks with pater towels or HEPA between.
Best way to disinfect is to air dry for 48_72 hours.
Hang it behind window glass that gets sun.
Cut the big end off of a 2 liter soda bottle after removing the label.
Place mask in the bottle and place in sun. (
Should do the trick.
What mystifies me is how unprepared for this people were.
Hospitals running out of masks and PPE? They weren't prepared for something they knew was eventually coming?
There's only a small percentage of hospitals hit hard with this and since all elective procedures are cancelled most hospitals shouldn't be using any more than normal.
Oh, and Remington offered to make PPE for NY but Fredo's brother hates guns so much he said "No thanks!.
He only hates guns unless they're carried by his bodyguards.
We need to bring back the paper bag. Sometimes, turning off the lights is not enough!
Blue mechanic shop towel?
There was another paper/study that I read that said a paper towel filter in a cloth mask holder was pretty durn good.
Throw the paper towel away and wash the mask after each use.
“But how long is a paper towel mask good for?
“ One use.
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