Abstract
As a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the use of facemasks has become commonplace. The performance of medical facemasks is assessed using Bacterial Filtration Efficiency (BFE) tests. However, as BFE tests, require specific expertise and equipment and are time-consuming, the performance of non-medical facemasks is assessed with non-biological Particle Filtration Efficiency (PFE) tests which are comparatively easier to implement. It is necessary to better understand the possible correlations between BFE and PFE to be able to compare the performances of the different types of masks (medical vs. non-medical). In this study BFE results obtained in accordance with the standard EN 14683 are compared to the results of PFE from a reference test protocol defined by AFNOR SPEC S76-001 with the aim to determine if BFE could be predicted from PFE. Our results showed a correlation between PFE and BFE. It was also observed that PFE values were higher than BFE and this was attributed to the difference in particle size distribution considered for efficiency calculation. In order to properly compare these test protocols for a better deduction, it would be interesting to compare the filtration efficiency for a similar granulometric range.
Highlights
As a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the use of facemasks has become commonplace
The Particle Filtration Efficiency (PFE) and Bacterial Filtration Efficiency (BFE) results of the masks were statistically compared to these limits in order to determine their compliance
Considering the BFE values, only the Mask B can be classified as conforming to type I (BFE > 95%) according to EN14683 as its BFE was significantly higher than the limit of 95%
Summary
As a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the use of facemasks has become commonplace. The performance of medical facemasks is assessed using Bacterial Filtration Efficiency (BFE) tests. As BFE tests, require specific expertise and equipment and are time-consuming, the performance of non-medical facemasks is assessed with non-biological Particle Filtration Efficiency (PFE) tests which are comparatively easier to implement. The world is currently in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus. The transmission of this virus is widely thought to be by aerosols and droplets. The use of masks has been shown to help reduce the spread of the virus and protect wearers from contracting COVID-198. In their work to evaluate the survival rate of bio aerosols on filter layers of FFPs and surgical masks, Jeong et al.[12] showed that FFPs were more effective in physically blocking bio aerosols and showed lower portion of microbial viability compared to surgical masks
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
