Improving Filtration Efficacy of Medical Face Masks

Kulmala, Ilpo; Heinonen, Kimmo; Salo, Satu

doi:10.4209/aaqr.210043

Cited by 8 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 10 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Figure 4 a demonstrates the SEM images of spunbond-meltblown-spunbond (SMS) of a surgical face mask, while the sizes of common airborne contaminants and pathogens are shown in Figure 4 b. In a mask, non-woven SMS fabrics are typically used, which are spun-bond PP fabric (absorbent), melt-blown PP interlayer (electrically charged small fibrous material with random orientation), and spun-bond PP (blue color and hydrophobic) fabric on the outside [ 67 , 69 , 70 , 71 ]. Spunbond–meltblown–meltblown–spunbond (SMMS), spunbond–meltblown (SM), spunbond–spunbond (SS), spunbond–spunbond–spunbond (SSS), and spunbond–spunbond–meltblown–meltblown–spunbond (SSMMS) are the other most prevalent combinations of structures in various weight ranges [ 72 ].…”

Section: Materials and Methods Used In Manufacturing Face Masksmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There are three classes of FFP, with respective efficiencies of 80%, 94%, and 99%. It has the maximum filtration efficiency and meets N95 standards [ 69 , 100 , 101 ].…”

Section: Efficacy Of Currently Available Face Masksmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Masks with activated carbon or HVAC air filters demonstrate good results [ 103 ]. Fabric masks appear less effective than surgical masks and N95 respirators [ 69 ]. In rare cases, cloth masks are recommended to suppress an epidemic in a low-population setting when other masks are inaccessible [ 89 ].…”

Section: Efficacy Of Currently Available Face Masksmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The effectiveness of a homemade mask was almost 95% in another study, which used a single layer of nylon fabric sandwiched between four layers of kitchen filter. A negative ion emitter should be used in specified conditions to improve the filtration efficiency of medical masks [ 69 ]. Notably, the face shield is 10 times more effective than the standard face mask [ 106 ].…”

Section: Efficacy Of Currently Available Face Masksmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Face Masks to Combat Coronavirus (COVID-19)—Processing, Roles, Requirements, Efficacy, Risk and Sustainability

Rahman

Hoque²,

Alam

et al. 2022

Polymers

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Increasingly prevalent respiratory infectious diseases (e.g., COVID-19) have posed severe threats to public health. Viruses including coronavirus, influenza, and so on can cause respiratory infections. A pandemic may potentially emerge owing to the worldwide spread of the virus through persistent human-to-human transmission. However, transmission pathways may vary; respiratory droplets or airborne virus-carrying particles can have a key role in transmitting infections to humans. In conjunction with social distancing, hand cleanliness, and other preventative measures, the use of face masks is considered to be another scientific approach to combat ubiquitous coronavirus. Different types of face masks are produced using a range of materials (e.g., polypropylene, polyacrylonitrile, polycarbonate, polyurethane, polystyrene, polyester and polyethylene) and manufacturing techniques (woven, knitted, and non-woven) that provide different levels of protection to the users. However, the efficacy and proper disposal/management of the used face masks, particularly the ones made of non-biodegradable polymers, pose great environmental concerns. This review compiles the recent advancements of face masks, covering their requirements, materials and techniques used, efficacy, challenges, risks, and sustainability towards further enhancement of the quality and performance of face masks.

show abstract

Section: Materials and Methods Used In Manufacturing Face Masksmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There are three classes of FFP, with respective efficiencies of 80%, 94%, and 99%. It has the maximum filtration efficiency and meets N95 standards [ 69 , 100 , 101 ].…”

Section: Efficacy Of Currently Available Face Masksmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Efficacy Of Currently Available Face Masksmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Efficacy Of Currently Available Face Masksmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Face Masks to Combat Coronavirus (COVID-19)—Processing, Roles, Requirements, Efficacy, Risk and Sustainability

Rahman

Hoque²,

Alam

et al. 2022

Polymers

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…On the contrary, these masks are not designed to protect against airborne particles (Oberg and Brosseau, 2008). Although the filter media of surgical masks, to some extent, enables to collect airborne particles (filtration efficiency for 0.3 µm particles at an airflow of 95 L/min: 28.4 -85.5%) (Kulmala et al, 2021), such particles tend to slip through or escape from gaps between the mask and the facial contours instead of being filtered through the mask itself (Chen and Willeke, 1992;Cappa et al, 2021;Su et al, 2022). Therefore, the effectiveness of these masks in reducing airborne particle exposure is limited and varies between individuals, mainly depending on how well the fit of the "loose-fitting" surgical mask is.…”

Section: Accepted Manuscriptmentioning

confidence: 99%

Respiratory Protective Equipment Reconsiderations in the Age of SARS-CoV-2

Chen

Huang

2022

Aerosol Air Qual. Res.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The use of respiratory protective equipment (RPE) has been recognized as an effective measure to mitigate droplet and airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Although there are various types of RPE available, different RPEs serve different purposes and offer various levels of protection against aerosols. Additionally, recent evidence highlights the role of good fit in ensuring the effectiveness of RPEs. Some modified procedures can enhance the effectiveness of surgical masks by improving fit. In the age of SARS-CoV-2, there is an urgent need for knowledge about RPEs. The correct selection and use of RPEs are of pivotal importance for breaking the transmission chain of SARS-CoV-2. Main textThe ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has paralyzed both the global economy and the health care system since December 2019. Several vaccines have been developed and distributed to stop the virus transmission and reach herd immunity. However, due to the emergence of highly contagious SARS-CoV-2 variants, such as Delta and Omicron variants of concern (VOCs; formerly known as B.1.617.2 and B. 1.1. 529, respectively), and vaccine shortage, this global pandemic still poses a growing threat to public health.The donor-to-recipient transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is highly complex and has multiple pathways. Recent converging evidence has shown that SARS-CoV-2 is predominantly transmitted via non-contact transmission modes, including droplet and airborne transmissions (Greenhalgh et al., 2021;Leung, 2021). These non-contact transmission modes are forms of respiratory transmission via exposure to pathogenladen respiratory fluids in the form of aerosols (Hsiao et al., 2020). Various human

show abstract

Exploring advances in nanofiber-based face masks: a comprehensive review of mechanical, electrostatic, and antimicrobial functionality filtration for the removal of airborne particulate matter and pathogens

Le,

Omran,

Elnabawy

et al. 2024

emergent mater.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The filtration of airborne particulate matter (PM) and aerosols utilizing nonwoven fibrous materials has received significant research concern due to the continuing global pandemics, especially the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), and particularly for face masks as a measure of personal protection. Although spun-bond or melt-blown nonwoven fabrics are among the pioneer materials in the development of polymer microfiber-based face masks or air filters on a large scale, relatively new nonwoven manufacturing processes like electrospinning and solution blow spinning (SBS) are gaining momentum among manufacturers of filter membranes. The high filtration performance of nanofiber face masks is due to their high surface area to volume ratio which increases the interaction between the nanofiber and PM and improves the electrostatic charge distribution of electret filters, allowing enhanced capture capability based on electrostatic deposition. Moreover, the small diameter of nanofibrous filters improves the breathability of the face mask by providing the slip effect, which in turn reduces the pressure drop through the membrane. This paper provides a comprehensive review of contemporary advances in nanofiber face masks, detailing the working mechanism involved, reviewing recent experimental studies, and discussing improvements in filtration efficiency for three main nanofibrous air filtration strategies, including mechanical and electrostatic filtration and antimicrobial functionality. Furthermore, prospective research is introduced which considers the synergistic combination effects of the three filtration mechanisms in designing a multifunctional nanofiber structure that can efficiently capture a wide range of PM with higher filtration efficiency and lower drops in pressure. New trends in the antimicrobial activity of smart material-based nanofibrous membranes in the fight against infectious airborne agents are also described.

show abstract

Improving Filtration Efficacy of Medical Face Masks

Cited by 8 publications

References 10 publications

Face Masks to Combat Coronavirus (COVID-19)—Processing, Roles, Requirements, Efficacy, Risk and Sustainability

Face Masks to Combat Coronavirus (COVID-19)—Processing, Roles, Requirements, Efficacy, Risk and Sustainability

Respiratory Protective Equipment Reconsiderations in the Age of SARS-CoV-2

Exploring advances in nanofiber-based face masks: a comprehensive review of mechanical, electrostatic, and antimicrobial functionality filtration for the removal of airborne particulate matter and pathogens

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About