​Beauchaine 1

Disposable vs cloth masks, which one has more bacterial buildup?

Daniel Beauchaine

Masters

Physical science

Period 1

12-1-20

Word Count 671

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Daniel Beauchaine

Masters

Physical Science

Period 1

11-10-20

Do cloth or disposable masks have more bacteria build up?

Throughout the Coronavirus pandemic of 2020, the use of face masks as a protection

barrier has been strongly encouraged. One of the downsides of mask use as a protective barrier

is the bacterial buildup that occurs when using both cloth and disposable masks. Prepared petri

dishes are typically used in science in order to test objects for bacterial counts. Petri dishes give

the bacteria an ideal environment to feed and grow. Similar to a petri dish, the human mouth is

an optimal environment for bacteria to grow, reproduce and die. When using a mask for virus

protection, some amount of bacteria is transferred from the human mouth onto the inner surface

of the mask. Accordingly, it is important to understand what kind of masks will have a lower

bacteria buildup, and therefore possibly be safer to use.

Despite there being many different types of face masks that people wear for protection,

cloth and disposable masks are the most common. Research shows that cloth masks used for

virus transfer protection are around 11% more effective then disposable masks in minimizing the

virus transfer to another human (Hunt 1). With the higher rate of protection than the cloth mask

has in reducing virus transfer, cloth masks would most likely have a higher bacterial build up

then disposable masks as well because they keep more of the bacteria contained on the inner

surface of the mask. Research on disposable surgical masks show that ​bacteria build up does

occur during use and that vertical shedding of bacteria occurs on the mask (PubMed.gov 1).
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Bacteria build up during prolonged mask use can become so great that bacteria will start

falling off the masks and onto external surfaces. There are no mass produced perfect

protective masks but research shows that masks with multiple layers and tighter weaves

are more effective at containing bacteria from falling on external surfaces from the

mask(Gody 2).

Petri Dishes are tools that scientists use to track bacteria growth. Bacteria grow and

form dots on petri dishes, which is how it can be tracked, and its growth can be compared

to the bacteria growth on different objects(Science Company 1). There are many different

types of petri dishes used for research including nutrient, blood, and Macconkey petri

dishes(Quinlan1). For the purpose of this research project, the nutrient agar will be used.

Using the direct contact method in order to secure bacteria from the surface of the

protective mask, a sterile cotton swab or an inoculating loop will be swabbed on the mask,

then the same swab will be immediately swabbed on the petri dish(Science Company 1).

Bacteria, which grows almost everywhere, happens to grow in abundance in the

human mouth. The bacteria in the human mouth transfers to the masks that are worn and

builds up on the mask surface. The bacteria on protective masks can cause numerous

infections including acne, lesions and facial yeast infections(Mgala 1). Bacteria, fungus and

other microorganisms can be found in used protective masks because they thrive in the

specific conditions including temperature, moisture levels that the mask provides(Migala

1). Optimal bacteria growth needs an environment of at 85% humidity, and a temperature

between 5 to 63 degrees celsius(Boles 1). The typical mask environment when a human is

using it as a protective barrier has a humidity level between 61-81% and a temperature of

37 degrees celsius(PubMed.gov 2).

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Do disposable vs. cloth masks have more bacteria build up? Wearing face masks is

necessary but be warned there can be harmful bacteria on the inside of them. Petri dishes

are tools used in experiments to observe bacteria. Bacteria is everywhere and not all

bacteria is harmful but some bacteria can be. It is hypothesized that cloth masks will have a

higher bacterial growth build up compared to the bacterial buildup on disposable masks.

.
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Citation page

Hunt, Kevin. “Cloth Mask vs. Surgical Mask: The Surprising COVID-19 Winner.” ​Health News

Hub,​ 30 Oct. 2020, 8:27,

healthnewshub.org/cloth-mask-vs-surgical-mask-vs-n95-how-effective-is-each/.

McLure HA, Talboys CA, Yentis SM, Azadian BS. Surgical face masks and downward dispersal

of bacteria. Anaesthesia. 1998 Jul;53(7):624-6. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2044.1998.435-az0528.x.

PMID: 9771168.

Company, Science. “Bacteria Growing in Petri Plates Experiments.” ​Bacteria Growing

Experiments in Petri Plates,​ 2020,

www.sciencecompany.com/Bacteria-Growing-Experiments-in-Petri-Plates.aspx.

Migala, Jessica, et al. “Your Mask May Be Causing Candida Growth in Your Mouth: Everyday

Health.” ​EverydayHealth.com​, 2020,

www.everydayhealth.com/coronavirus/your-mask-may-be-causing-candida-growth-in-your-mou

th/.

Quinlan, Sarah. “Types of Agar Plates.” ​Sciencing,​ 2 Mar. 2019,

sciencing.com/types-agar-plates-8131230.html.

Godoy, Maria. “A User's Guide To Masks: What's Best At Protecting Others (And Yourself).”

NPR,​ NPR, 1 July 2020,

www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/07/01/880621610/a-users-guide-to-masks-what-s-best-

at-protecting-others-and-yourself.

Boles, Ashley, et al. “Spreading Germs: How Many Bacteria Are Trapped by Masks?”
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Https://Www.wdbj7.Com,​ 2020,

www.wdbj7.com/2020/07/29/spreading-germs-how-many-bacteria-are-trapped-by-masks/.