Mask Research
There are many studies done manufactures and scientist to gauge the efficiency of wearing different types of mask. However, there is almost no data regarding the current virus epidemic. I will share the little and most current info that I’ve found.
Let’s get straight to the point. Do you mask work? ABSOLUTELY! Mask do work but it’s important to know to what level and more importantly… how to use a mask correctly.
The research I started years ago went beyond pandemics, it included volcanic ash, radiation, PM 2.5, air borne chemicals, odors, smoke, bacteria and other factors. What I found that the most important detail to consider is the make of the mask and size of the particulate size and type the mask was designed to withstand. So let’s start with the size of particulates.
Particulate Sizes
Here are the average sizes for particulates you would want to keep from inhaling. In general, you want to prevent any fine particulate from entering your lungs. Fine particulates are defined to be less that 2.5 micrometers (also called micron, metric unit of measure for length equal to 0.001 mm, or about 0.000039 inch. Its symbol is μm). Fine particulate matter can also be referred to as PM 2.5 (https://www.windy.com/-PM2-5-pm2p5?cams,pm2p5,28.998,-98.502,8 — PM2.5 real time data maps).
| Particulate | Particle Size | | | Particulate | Particle Size |
| SARS-CoV-2 | 0.009–0.5 μm | | | SARS-CoV-2 (CDC) | 0.125 microns |
| Influenza | 0.65-4.7 μm | | | SARs | |
| Volcanic Ash | <2 μm | | | Smoke | 0.01-1.0 microns |
| Strontium-90 | 0.1-10 μm | | | Caesium-137 | |
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There are different types of mask, but I am going to focus on the most discussed and popular.
Types of Mask
Cloth
This could include woven, cotton, or any material that an individual would use to protect themselves. Home mask, bandanas, articles of clothing.
Protection efficiently will depend on the type of material but cotton has the highest efficiency of them all.
Surgical
The typical mask found in hospitals used bu medical personal.
Surgical masks showed penetration levels of approximately 55–85% and 70–90% at flow rates of 30 and 100 liters/minute, respectively, for 0.3 micron particles. The most penetrating particle size (MPPS) was in the 0.2–0.5 micron range.
N95
Without having to use a gas mask or SCBA, this is the one of the highest level of protection available to the public.
n95 are rated on their ability to filter out 0.1 to 0.3 micron particles. In this case, they are 95% efficient.
Wearing Mask Correctly
If you are not wearing the mask correctly, throw the data out the window. The data only applies when the mask is being used to its full potential.
- Use a clean mask or multiple layers. Washing reusable mask will increase pore size and lower filtration considerably.
- Use a mask that fits. Knotting the ear loop with stretch the mask. Stretching the mask increases pore size and lowers the filtration ability of the mask.
- Completely cover you nose and mouth.
- The mask should fit snug against your face with NO gaps.
- Use mask with a nose wire to prevent gaps over the nose bridge.
- Remove all facial hair to ensure a tight fit.
- Do not use mask with valves or vents.
Be aware that certain particulate can also penetrate the eyes and skin and enter through the ears. In the case of radiation, use full protective coverings. Radioactive material can penetrate thin layers. In the case of and airborne virus like corona, to be fully protected also wear protection that keeps a tight seal around your eyes. Face shields do not prevent you from breathing in particles or prevent virus from entering the eye because of the air that can flow around the sides.
Important Factors
The size of a particulate can be much smaller, but we are considering average and majorities.
The only way to get 100% removal of particulates is to use a water filtration mask, standand and carbon filters aren’t going to clean the air completely.
The type of particulate matters. 10 particles of dust vs 10 particles of radioactive material is going to have a very different effect on your body.
Air borne micro particles can affect more than just the lungs and breathing. Radioactive particles can penetrate the skin. Viruses like influenza and covid can also infect a person through their eyes and ears. Always protect the entire body to prevent any type of damage or infection.
Corna Mask Study
Corna is the most concerning threat at the moment. Here is the most recent data on mask wearing that I could find. We are almost 2 years into this epidemic and this is the first study that actually used the actual virus in the study. Data released Aug 2021.
Japanese Mask Study
Article: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-japan-masks/japan-researchers-show-masks-do-block-coronavirus-but-not-perfectly-idUSKBN2770DX
Public Released Data: https://journals.asm.org/doi/pdf/10.1128/mSphere.00637-20
tl;dr
Mask work if used properly.
Most efficient when the spreader and receive both use mask.
Cloth mask 20-40% effective when the reciever wears the mask.
Cloth & Surgical mask 50% reduction in viral load when spreader wears a mask.
n95 80-90% efficient.
More Mask Studies
2016 Particle Size-Selective Assessment of Protection of European Standard FFP Respirators and Surgical Masks against Particles-Tested with Human Subjects
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5058571/
2021 FDA Mask Study
https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/personal-protective-equipment-infection-control/n95-respirators-surgical-masks-and-face-masks
2019 Optical microscopic study of surface morphology and filtering efficiency of face masks
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6599448/