Abstract
Aim: Face masks are an important addition to our arsenal in the fight against COVID-19. The aim of this study is to present a novel method of measuring mask performance which can simultaneously assess both fabric penetration and leakage due to poor fit. Materials & methods: A synthetic aerosol is introduced into the lung of a medical dummy. A conical laser sheet surrounds the face of the dummy where it illuminates the aerosol emitted during a simulated breath. The system is demonstrated with five mask types. Conclusions: The curved laser sheet highlights both penetration through the mask fabric and leakage around the edges of the mask. A large variation in both material penetration and leakage was observed.
Highlights
The use of face masks has had a significant impact on limiting the spread of COVID-19
We provide qualitative evidence based on a novel curved laser sheet which suggests that there is considerable variation in the efficacy of face masks depending on fabric type, and on the fit around the face
These results highlight the pressing need for more quantitative analyses based on real life usage to define the most effective face masks for controlling the spread of COVID-19
Summary
Face masks are an important addition to our arsenal in the fight against COVID-19. The aim of this study is to present a novel method of measuring mask performance which can simultaneously assess both fabric penetration and leakage due to poor fit.
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