The Best Coronavirus Face Mask Materials, According To A New Study

4/21/2020 The Best Coronavirus Face Mask Materials, According To A New Study
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The Best Coronavirus Face Mask Materials,

According To A New Study Trump adviser Stephen Moore: It's time to
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In early April, when Americans began to embrace the idea of wearing face masks to help was ‘inappropriate’
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flatten the curve of the coronavirus, President Donald Trump suggested it wouldn’t MarketWatch
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hurt the public to wear masks, but that scarves could be a perfectly suitable
substitute.
“It doesn’t have to be a mask. It can be a scarf,” Trump said. “What I do see people
doing here is using scarves. And I think in a certain way, depending on the fabric, I
think in a certain way, a scarf is better, it’s actually better.”
Remove viruses from surfaces
A new study of the best and worst materials for DIY face masks just proved he was Astronauts Leak Chilling Photos Of Earth's
Surface Hi-tech approach that is safe for
absolutely incorrect. humans but bad for bacteria and
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Smart Air, a social enterprise and certified B-Corp that promotes cost-effective, data- Actions
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backed air filters as a solution to indoor particulate air pollution, has released the Spirited Bliss Ad
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results of their latest research on DIY face mask materials, in which they tested over Get No, thanks
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https://www.yahoo.com/huffpost/best-coronavirus-face-mask-materials-new-study-120000624.html 1/16
30 different materials ― including bra pads, coffee filters, pillow cases, electrostatic
cloths, cotton T-shirts, wool, bed sheets, polyester, bandanas and more ― for their
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effectiveness in filtering coronavirus-sized microparticles, as well as their
breathability.
Both those factors are vital, because while some materials may test high for filtration, held north
they test low for breathability ― a mask you can’t actually breathe in isn’t exactly Yahoo NewsHid
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Among the key takeaways: Trump’s scarves tested among the least effective
materials, while denim, canvas and paper towels were among the best.
Trump adviser Stephen Moore: It's time to

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(Photo: Smart Air) Remove viruses from surfaces

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Smart Air aimed to mimic the test setup used by Cambridge University researchers, Actions
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known as a Henderson apparatus, in which a fan blows air and particles through the Spirited Bliss Ad
mask material. The materials were tested for their ability to filter large-sized (1 micron, Get No, thanks
similar to the size of the Ebola virus) and small-sized (0.3 micron, the size of the
smallpox virus) particles and for their breathability factor. For reference, COVID-19
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coronavirus particles measure 0.06-0.14 microns in size, but 5-10 microns when in
droplets.
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The version of the Henderson apparatus used by Smart Air in this study. (Photo: Smart Air)
The testing was done to clear up some myths about which face masks are best for Hi-tech approach that is safe for
Surface
public health. Smart Air had previously released data before COVID-19 reached its Boredom
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peak, but the company said the findings were “incomplete.” Over the past several The
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weeks, it tested more crucial materials the earlier study left out, as well as guidelines Bloomberg
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“There is a huge demand for information worldwide right now about what makes a
safe and effective DIY face mask, but there is also a lot of fear and misinformation,”
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Smart Air CEO and aeronautical engineer Paddy Robertson said in a press release.
“By releasing this data, and continuing to be totally transparent about our
methodology, we hope to help individuals, institutions and potentially even Turkey says Syria is violating a truce in rebel-
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governments make good, data-backed decisions about how to make face masks that A tsunami of bankruptcies are about to wash
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Coffee filters are no longer recommended for DIY masks CBS News
The new study showed that while coffee filters are extremely effective at filtering
microparticles, they score very poorly on the breathability scale, knocking them off the
list of recommended DIY mask materials.
“Coffee filters, although very effective at filtering virus-sized particles, won’t make
great masks,” Robertson said in the release. “They’re just too difficult to breathe
through.” reopen the economy because we are seeing real
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Scarves failed the test, big time As scores
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“Trump’s suggestion of using scarves as face masks may not be the best choice,” oil, stock prices plunge
Robertson said. “Our tests showed that the three scarves we tested scored MarketWatch
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consistently low on their ability to capture tiny particles. Perhaps Trump should check
out our data and update the general public.”

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(Photo: Smart Air)
The three scarves tested ― made of merino wool, cashmere and lightweight ramie
(similar to linen) ― all captured fewer than 10% of smallpox-sized particles. The worst
scarf material – 100% ramie – filtered just 2.8%.
The best overall materials for DIY face masks Remove viruses from surfaces
Based on a combination of breathability and filtration effectiveness, the study humans but bad for bacteria and
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recommended denim, bed sheets (80-120 thread count), paper towels, canvas (0.4- The
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0.5mm thick) and shop towels for homemade masks. Actions
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Keep in mind, however, that paper towels are not washable or reusable. Get No, thanks
The 0.4-0.5mm thick canvas material ranked as being easier to breathe through than
a surgical mask, while still performing fairly well at filtering particles. But if thick
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fabrics aren’t available to you, the study’s data showed that 100% cotton T-shirts,
layered up, are also still effective options for homemade masks. (More on this below.)
In general, natural materials are a better option than synthetic ones. Because held north
synthetic fibers (like polyester) tend to be smooth, they don’t filter out particles as well Yahoo NewsHid
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as the rougher texture of natural fibers (like 100% cotton). Past
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What happens when you use multiple layers of a material?
Many DIY face masks incorporate at least two layers of fabric, and sometimes up to
16 or even 32 layers if you’re making multiple folds. So how does that increase the
material’s effectiveness?
Testing in this study was done on one and two layers. Robertson told HuffPost,
“Doubling the layers increased 0.3 micron efficiency from 2% to 15%, whilst also Trump adviser Stephen Moore: It's time to
reducing breathability. It’s difficult to give an exact ‘formula’ for each material on how COVID-19
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doubling layers increases effectiveness, as air resistance plays a major part. We want As scores
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to work on this though.” stimulus deal will pass; Cuomo, Trump to meet;
help was ‘inappropriate’
Robertson said Smart Air plans to continue its research and release a third edition of MarketWatch
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the study with more information on layering the materials.
Best materials for blocking large-size particles
The majority of materials tested in Smart Air’s study blocked more than 50% of 1-
micron particles, but some of the worst-scoring materials were the wool scarf,
bandana (100% cotton) and light scarf (keep in mind, these were each tested in a Remove viruses from surfaces
single layer ― increasing layers slightly increases how many particles can be Hi-tech approach that is safe for
Surface
blocked). humans but bad for bacteria and
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(Photo: Smart Air) Actions
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Best materials for blocking small-size particles Get No, thanks
For 0.3-micron particles, Smart Air found “a much wider range in effectiveness.” The
N95 mask, HEPA filter and surgical mask performed best, all capturing over 75% of
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small particles. But in terms of household materials, the best blockers were Hero-
brand coffee filters. In the study, only four other materials filtered more than 48% of
small particles: the 40D nylon, Chemex coffee filter, kitchen towel and canvas. Turkey says Syria is violating a truce in rebel-
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According to the study, “some materials were only slightly better than nothing.” The Bloomberg
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bandana, neck-warmer, scarves, cleaning cloths and 100% cotton T-shirt (one layer) Get No, thanks
all captured less than 10% of small particles.
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Whichever material you choose to make your mask from, and no matter how you
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against COVID-19. Yahoo NewsHid
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Masks do not replace social distancing. While DIY face masks may be useful in Past
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situations like grocery stores and pharmacies where you cannot always stay six feet CBS News
away from people, masks should not be used as a replacement for social distancing.
And remember: By covering your face in public, you are helping others to stay safe
from anything you may be carrying. It’s more about their protection than your own.
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What happens if we end social distancing too soon? stimulus deal will pass;
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How long are asymptomatic carriers contagious?
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Experts are still learning about the novel coronavirus. The information in this story is
what was known or available as of press time, but it’s possible guidance concerning
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Related... CBS News
How To Make Coronavirus Face Masks, And How Effective They Are
How To Make A No-Sew Coronavirus Face Mask With Fabric
Coronavirus Face Masks: Everything You Need To Know
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4/21/2020 The Best Coronavirus Face Mask Materials, According To A New Study

Turkey says Syria is violating a truce in rebel-