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The Filtration Efficiency of Surgical Masks for Expiratory Aerosol and Droplets Generated by Vocal Exercises

ABSTRACT: This data repository entry contains text files providing the data supporting the figures presented in: The Filtration Efficiency of Surgical Masks for Expiratory Aerosol and Droplets Generated by Vocal Exercises Published in: Aerosol Science & Technology Abstract: Transmission of an airborne disease can occur when an individual exhales respiratory particles that contain infectious pathogens. Surgical face masks are often used to reduce the amount of respiratory aerosol emitted into the environment by an individual while also lowering the concentration of particles the individual inhales. Respiratory aerosol generation is activity-dependent with high person-to-person variability. Moreover, mask fit differs among people. Here, we measure the efficacy of surgical masks (EN14683 Type IIR) in reducing both aerosol (0.3 – 20 μm diameter) and droplet (20 – 1000 μm diameter) emission during breathing, speaking and five speech and language therapy tasks performed by a human cohort. When participants wore a surgical face mask, measured particle number concentrations at the front of the mask were always lower than that for breathing without mitigation in place. For breathing and speaking, the through-mask filtration efficiencies were 80% and 87%, respectively, while for voice therapy tasks the through-mask filtration efficiencies ranged from 89% (“Hey!”) to 95% (/a::/). Size-dependent through-mask filtration efficiencies were high (80 – 95%) for particles 0.5 – 2 μm diameter, with masks filtering a greater fraction of larger particle sizes. For particle sizes >4 µm diameter, filtration efficiencies of surgical face masks for all tested respiratory tasks were ~100%. Surgical face masks significantly reduced the number of particles emitted from all respiratory activities. These results have implications for developing effective mitigations for diseases transmission through inhalation.

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens (human)

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PROVIDER: S-BSST1187 | biostudies-other |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other

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Project description:The emergence of a pandemic affecting the respiratory system can result in a significant demand for face masks. This includes the use of cloth masks by large sections of the public, as can be seen during the current global spread of COVID-19. However, there is limited knowledge available on the performance of various commonly available fabrics used in cloth masks. Importantly, there is a need to evaluate filtration efficiencies as a function of aerosol particulate sizes in the 10 nm to 10 ?m range, which is particularly relevant for respiratory virus transmission. We have carried out these studies for several common fabrics including cotton, silk, chiffon, flannel, various synthetics, and their combinations. Although the filtration efficiencies for various fabrics when a single layer was used ranged from 5 to 80% and 5 to 95% for particle sizes of <300 nm and >300 nm, respectively, the efficiencies improved when multiple layers were used and when using a specific combination of different fabrics. Filtration efficiencies of the hybrids (such as cotton-silk, cotton-chiffon, cotton-flannel) was >80% (for particles <300 nm) and >90% (for particles >300 nm). We speculate that the enhanced performance of the hybrids is likely due to the combined effect of mechanical and electrostatic-based filtration. Cotton, the most widely used material for cloth masks performs better at higher weave densities (i.e., thread count) and can make a significant difference in filtration efficiencies. Our studies also imply that gaps (as caused by an improper fit of the mask) can result in over a 60% decrease in the filtration efficiency, implying the need for future cloth mask design studies to take into account issues of "fit" and leakage, while allowing the exhaled air to vent efficiently. Overall, we find that combinations of various commonly available fabrics used in cloth masks can potentially provide significant protection against the transmission of aerosol particles.

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The Filtration Efficiency of Surgical Masks for Expiratory Aerosol and Droplets Generated by Vocal Exercises

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