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Is there an adequate alternative to commercially manufactured face masks? A comparison of various materials and forms.
J Hosp Infect. 2020 Oct; 106(2):246-253.JH

Abstract

BACKGROUND

There is a worldwide shortage of medical-grade face masks. Donning masks can play an important role in curbing the spread of SARS-CoV-2.

AIM

To conclude whether there is an effective mask for the population to wear in public that could easily be made during a medical face mask shortage using readily available materials.

METHODS

We determined the effectiveness of readily available materials and models for making a face mask. The outcomes were compared with N95/FFP2/KN95 masks that entered the Netherlands in April-May 2020. Masks were tested to determine whether they filtered a minimum of 35% of 0.3-μm particles, are hydrophobic, seal on the face, are breathable, and can be washed.

FINDINGS

Fourteen of the 25 (combinations of) materials filtered at least 35% of 0.3-μm particles. Four of the materials proved hydrophobic, all commercially manufactured filters. Two models sealed the face. Twenty-two of the 25 materials were breathable at <0.7 mbar. None of the hydrophobic materials stayed intact after washing.

CONCLUSIONS

It would be possible to reduce the reproduction rate of SARS-CoV-2 from 2.4 to below one if 39% of the population would wear a mask made from ePM₁ 85% commercially manufactured filter fabric and in a duckbill form. This mask performs better than 80% of the imported N95/FFP2/KN95 masks and provides a better fit than a surgical mask. Two layers of quilt fabric with a household paper towel as filter is also a viable choice for protecting the user and the environment.

Links

Publisher Full Text
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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Authors+Show Affiliations

Teesing GR
Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; The Municipal Public Health Service Rotterdam-Rijnmond, Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Electronic address: g.teesing@rotterdam.nl.
van Straten B
Delft University of Technology, Department of BioMechanical Engineering, Delft, the Netherlands; Van Straten Medical, De Meern, the Netherlands.
de Man P
Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, Franciscus Gasthuis en Vlietland, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Horeman-Franse T
Delft University of Technology, Department of BioMechanical Engineering, Delft, the Netherlands.

MeSH

BetacoronavirusCOVID-19Coronavirus InfectionsEquipment DesignGuidelines as TopicHumansMasksNetherlandsPandemicsPneumonia, ViralRespiratory Protective DevicesSARS-CoV-2Textiles

Pub Type(s)

Comparative Study
Journal Article

Language

eng

PubMed ID

32763333

Citation

Teesing, G R., et al. "Is There an Adequate Alternative to Commercially Manufactured Face Masks? a Comparison of Various Materials and Forms." The Journal of Hospital Infection, vol. 106, no. 2, 2020, pp. 246-253.
Teesing GR, van Straten B, de Man P, et al. Is there an adequate alternative to commercially manufactured face masks? A comparison of various materials and forms. J Hosp Infect. 2020;106(2):246-253.
Teesing, G. R., van Straten, B., de Man, P., & Horeman-Franse, T. (2020). Is there an adequate alternative to commercially manufactured face masks? A comparison of various materials and forms. The Journal of Hospital Infection, 106(2), 246-253. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2020.07.024
Teesing GR, et al. Is There an Adequate Alternative to Commercially Manufactured Face Masks? a Comparison of Various Materials and Forms. J Hosp Infect. 2020;106(2):246-253. PubMed PMID: 32763333.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - JOUR T1 - Is there an adequate alternative to commercially manufactured face masks? A comparison of various materials and forms. AU - Teesing,G R, AU - van Straten,B, AU - de Man,P, AU - Horeman-Franse,T, Y1 - 2020/08/05/ PY - 2020/05/21/received PY - 2020/07/22/accepted PY - 2020/8/9/pubmed PY - 2020/10/21/medline PY - 2020/8/9/entrez KW - Cloth KW - Filter KW - MERV KW - Surgical mask KW - ePM1 SP - 246 EP - 253 JF - The Journal of hospital infection JO - J Hosp Infect VL - 106 IS - 2 N2 - BACKGROUND: There is a worldwide shortage of medical-grade face masks. Donning masks can play an important role in curbing the spread of SARS-CoV-2. AIM: To conclude whether there is an effective mask for the population to wear in public that could easily be made during a medical face mask shortage using readily available materials. METHODS: We determined the effectiveness of readily available materials and models for making a face mask. The outcomes were compared with N95/FFP2/KN95 masks that entered the Netherlands in April-May 2020. Masks were tested to determine whether they filtered a minimum of 35% of 0.3-μm particles, are hydrophobic, seal on the face, are breathable, and can be washed. FINDINGS: Fourteen of the 25 (combinations of) materials filtered at least 35% of 0.3-μm particles. Four of the materials proved hydrophobic, all commercially manufactured filters. Two models sealed the face. Twenty-two of the 25 materials were breathable at <0.7 mbar. None of the hydrophobic materials stayed intact after washing. CONCLUSIONS: It would be possible to reduce the reproduction rate of SARS-CoV-2 from 2.4 to below one if 39% of the population would wear a mask made from ePM₁ 85% commercially manufactured filter fabric and in a duckbill form. This mask performs better than 80% of the imported N95/FFP2/KN95 masks and provides a better fit than a surgical mask. Two layers of quilt fabric with a household paper towel as filter is also a viable choice for protecting the user and the environment. SN - 1532-2939 UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/32763333/Is_there_an_adequate_alternative_to_commercially_manufactured_face_masks_A_comparison_of_various_materials_and_forms_ L2 - https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0195-6701(20)30355-8 DB - PRIME DP - Unbound Medicine ER -