Ways to Improve Mask Efficacy
1. Double Mask - Surgical mask + tight fitting cloth mask
Surgical masks only block about 40% of particles from a simulated cough test, but tighter fitting masks reduce exposure exposure to potentially infectious particles by more than 90% (according to the CDC).
2. Use a mask with a nose wire
3. Use a mask fitter/brace that can be placed over a disposable/cloth mask to reduce air leakage
4. Check for a snug fit.
5. Knot and tuck the ear loops
6. Don't combine a KN95/N95 with another mask.
7. Don't combine 2 disposable masks.
“Multi-layer cloth masks can both block up to 50-70%” of the droplets that carry the virus, a CDC briefing paper released in February said. “Upwards of 80% blockage has been achieved in human experiments that have measured blocking of all respiratory droplets, with cloth masks in some studies performing on par with surgical masks as barriers for source control.”
1. Double Mask - Surgical mask + tight fitting cloth mask
Surgical masks only block about 40% of particles from a simulated cough test, but tighter fitting masks reduce exposure exposure to potentially infectious particles by more than 90% (according to the CDC).
2. Use a mask with a nose wire
3. Use a mask fitter/brace that can be placed over a disposable/cloth mask to reduce air leakage
4. Check for a snug fit.
5. Knot and tuck the ear loops
6. Don't combine a KN95/N95 with another mask.
7. Don't combine 2 disposable masks.
Seven ways to make your COVID-19 mask more effective with a better fit
New tips from the CDC on how to make your mask more effective to protect against the spread of the coronavirus focus on a better fit.
www.latimes.com
Maximizing Fit for Cloth and Medical Procedure Masks ...
This report describes experiments conducted by CDC to assess ...
www.cdc.gov
How ‘Double Masking’ with a Medical and Cloth Mask Could Better Protect You From COVID-19
Learn more about how to double up on masks or make your medical mask fit more tightly to better prevent COVID-19.
creakyjoints.org
- The N95 respirator achieved an FFE of 98.4%. The FFE of the other commercially available masks tested ranged from 79% to 26.5%:
- 3-layer cotton mask with ear loops = 26.5%
- Polypropylene mask with fixed ear loops = 28.6%
- Single-layer polyester gaiter/neck cover (balaclava bandana) = 37.8%
- Single-layer polyester/nylon mask with ties = 39.3%
- 2-layer nylon mask with ear loops (without aluminum nose bridge) = 44.7%
- Cotton bandana worn “bandit style” = 49%
- Cotton bandana folded in a rectangle per Surgeon General’s recommendation = 49.9%
- 2-layer nylon mask with ear loops (with aluminum nose bridge) = 56.3%
- Surgical mask with ties = 71.5%
- 2-layer nylon mask with ear loops (with aluminum nose bridge and 1 insert) = 74.4%
- 2-layer nylon mask with ear loops (with aluminum nose bridge and no insert; washed once) = 79%
- In addition, the FFE for the standard medical procedure mask with ear loops were as follows:
- No alteration = 38.5%
- Loops tied and corners tucked back in = 60.3%
- Secured with ear guard = 61.7%
- Secured with 23-mm claw-style hair clip = 64.8%
- Secured with 3 rubber bands to fix the mask = 78.2%
- Secured with a 10-inch segment of nylon hosiery = 80.2%
“Multi-layer cloth masks can both block up to 50-70%” of the droplets that carry the virus, a CDC briefing paper released in February said. “Upwards of 80% blockage has been achieved in human experiments that have measured blocking of all respiratory droplets, with cloth masks in some studies performing on par with surgical masks as barriers for source control.”
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
CDC provides credible COVID-19 health information to the U.S.
www.cdc.gov