Filtration Efficiency, Effectiveness, and Availability of N95 Face Masks for COVID-19 Prevention

Dugdale, Caitlin M; Walensky, Rochelle P.

doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2020.4218

Cited by 79 publications

(79 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…They have also indicated the ability of these face masks to not only offer protection against infectious aerosols like SARS-CoV-2 but also offer a cheaper alternative to the other respirators, for example, KN95, which have been reported to offer better protection than the surgical face masks. 9,22,[28][29][30] Therefore, notwithstanding the shortcomings of surgical face masks, there remains a reason for optimism concerning their realworld effectiveness.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…3 The protective efficacy of face masks varies, and experimental data concerning the effectiveness of face masks in reducing infections in the community are remarkably insufficient and even contradictory. [4][5][6][7] During this study's conception, global and local shortages of respirators and surgical face masks had been reported by various studies, shortages which were prompting the prolonged use or reuse of respirators and surgical face masks intended for single use [8][9][10][11] . Also, during the same time, the COVID-19 outbreak had sparked an important debate regarding the efficacy of face masks expressly the locally made or homemade cloth face masks.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[12][13][14][15][16] Also, because of this, most of the populations in LMICs continue to explore non-published approaches to sustain a sufficient supply of face masks, including among others facemask decontamination, which could prolong the wearable life of the face masks beyond their expiration dates and reducing the need to procure more costly respirators, for example, KN95. 9 The labor-intensive and costly decontamination approaches published in several studies, for example, the use of vaporized hydrogen peroxide and ultraviolet germicidal irradiation, exacerbate the predicament for LMICs, promoting most of the populations to continue exploring non-published approaches to sustain a sufficient supply of face masks. 8,[17][18][19] Also, during this study's conception, Uganda had begun a phased approach of lifting the initially decreed countrywide lockdown.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Efficacy of Face Masks Used in Uganda: A Laboratory-Based Inquiry during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Mboowa

Semugenze

Nakabuye

et al. 2021

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

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With shortages of face masks being reported worldwide, it is critical to consider alternatives to commercially manufactured face masks. This study aimed to test and compare the efficacy of various makes of locally made or homemade cloth face masks obtained from face-mask vendors in Kampala, Uganda, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The testing was performed to assess the bacterial filtration efficiency (BFE), breathability, distance-dependent fitness, and reusability of the locally made or homemade cloth face masks, while considering the most commonly used non-published face-mask decontamination approaches in Uganda. During laboratory experimentation, modified protocols from various face-mask testing organizations were adopted. Ten different face-mask types were experimented upon; each face-mask type was tested four times for every single test, except for the decontamination protocols involving washing where KN95 and surgical face masks were not included. Among the locally made or homemade cloth face masks, the double-layered cloth face masks (described as F) had better BFE and distance-dependent fitness characteristics, they could be reused, and had good breathability, than the other locally made or homemade cloth face masks. Despite these good qualities, the certainty of these face masks protecting wearers against COVID-19 remains subject to viral filtration efficiency testing.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Efficacy of Face Masks Used in Uganda: A Laboratory-Based Inquiry during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Mboowa

Semugenze

Nakabuye

et al. 2021

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

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“…Widely worn in the living, but less in the occupational environment. Nevertheless, Dugdale and Walensky [80] recently expressed an opinion that despite much lower filtration efficiency (37-69%) compared to N95 mask, the surgical masks are sufficient to prevent COVID-19 in the vast majority of cases.…”

Section: Preventionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…They based their view on the Chinese experiences from the first stage of pandemics in Wuhan and Hefei, where providing the appropriate PPE (N95 respirators or surgical masks, protective suits, isolation gowns, gloves, face shields or goggles, hair covers, boots, and shoe covers) and adequate training in its use completely protected large groups of 420 and 426 first line HCWs from the disease, of which nobody was infected. Similarly, Dugdale and Walensky [80] positively assessed the protection of the U.S. HCWs by N95 masks during COVID-19 pandemia.…”

Section: Disinfection and Sterilization During Covid-19mentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID 19 – Possible interrelations with respiratory comorbidities caused by occupational exposure to various hazardous bioaerosols. Part II. Clinical course, diagnostics, treatment and prevention

Maćkiewicz¹,

Lemieszek²,

Dutkiewicz³

2021

Ann Agric Environ Med.

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Introduction and objective. The course of COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 may be aggravated by bioaerosols containing other viruses, bacteria, and fungi, occurring mainly in the occupational environment. Hence, the diagnostics and treatment of COVID-19 should address such a possibility in the anamnesis, treatment and final recommendations for avoiding of adverse exposure. Abbreviated description of the state of knowledge. As SARS-CoV-2 attacks primarily the respiratory system and the severe manifestation of COVID-19 is interstitial pneumonia, diagnostics should include the following clinical and laboratory examinations: chest X-ray; high resolution computed tomography (HRCT); pulmonary function tests; arterial-blood gas test; genetic tests for the presence of SARS-CoV-2, in the future with the use of highly specific and sensitive nano-based biosensors; tests for the presence of specific immunity against the antigens of microorganisms causing other infectious or allergic pulmonary diseases (in the case of anamnestic indications). Because an universally accepted treatment for COVID-19 does not exist, the hitherto prescribed antiviral and immune-modulating drugs should be used be with caution. In many cases, a better alternative could be a safe supportive therapy, such as supplementation of the diet with probiotics, prebiotics, vitamins and microelements. Conclusions. The most important preventive measures against COVID-19 should include: vaccination; the use of filter or surgical masks; disinfection and sterilization; maintaining of well-functioning ventilation and air conditioning systems; reduction of the community air pollution which has been identified as an important factor increasing the COVID-19 severity. In the choice of preventive measures, the above should be considered for their potential efficacy against other bioaerosols as potential disease-aggravating agents.

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SARS-CoV-2 Positivity and Mask Utilization Among Health Care Workers

Slezak

Maldonado

et al. 2021

JAMA Netw Open

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Filtration Efficiency, Effectiveness, and Availability of N95 Face Masks for COVID-19 Prevention

Cited by 79 publications

References 5 publications

Efficacy of Face Masks Used in Uganda: A Laboratory-Based Inquiry during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Efficacy of Face Masks Used in Uganda: A Laboratory-Based Inquiry during the COVID-19 Pandemic

COVID 19 – Possible interrelations with respiratory comorbidities caused by occupational exposure to various hazardous bioaerosols. Part II. Clinical course, diagnostics, treatment and prevention

SARS-CoV-2 Positivity and Mask Utilization Among Health Care Workers

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