Ever since this Covid-19 Pandemic situation, numerous types of masks have been produced to be worn by everyone throughout the world. Because of the mass production of masks, it is hard for the consumers to judge which one would be the best mask for them to buy and wear on a daily basis.
One basic rule that always got associated with the quality of masks would be as follows. If a person doesn’t extinguish the flame of a candle when the air was being blown while wearing the mask, means that the mask will gives sufficient protection for its wearer. Even though this test is not that foolproof, but it helps the consumers out there to filter out which mask is the one that can be used and which mask is the one that will not give you any protection.
In April, after the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has approved and also recommending cloth masks for the general public, many researchers have been studying the materials that will work the best to filter the dangerous and life-threatening coronavirus. Based on the recent researches done, an ideal mask is supposed to block the large respiratory droplets that come from coughs or sneezes. Other than that, it also must block smaller airborne particles called aerosols, which come when people talk or exhale.
1) ‘Hybrid’ Masks Are One Of The Safest Homemade Choice
For fabric masks, the most important rule to follow is to make sure that the fabric should be woven as tightly as possible. That is the reason why fabric masks that have higher thread counts are considered better to filter particles. Other than that, it is also better for a fabric mask to have more than one layer. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a fabric mask should consist of three layers. The first layer should be an inner layer that absorbs, then comes the second layer that should be the middle layer that acts as filters. Lastly, the third layer should be the outer layer that preferably made from a nonabsorbent material such as polyester.
An example of the best fabric mask would be the N95 mask and also the surgical mask. These kinds of masks give the best protection from the coronavirus for the wearer and also the people surrounding the wearer. Another option that is similar to the N95 mask and surgical mask would be the ‘hybrid’ mask.
‘Hybrid’ mask is a combination of two layers of 600-thread-count cotton paired with another important material such as silk, chiffon, or even flannel. This kind of ‘hybrid’ mask can successfully filter at least 94 percent of small particles and also at least 96 percent of larger particles.
2) Silk Or Cotton Have More Variable Performances
Surprisingly, masks made from vacuum-cleaner bags, tea towels, pillowcases, silk, and also 100 percent cotton T-shirts are among the most effective alternatives to surgical masks.
Other than that, a single layer of natural silk is capable to filter 54 percent of small particles and 56 percent larger particles while masks that is made from four layers of natural silk would filter 86 percent of small particles and also 88 percent of large particles at low air flow rates.
3) Bandanas And Scarves Are Not Effective To Offer Protection
Based on multiples studies, scarves and bandanas are absolutely less protective than most other materials that can be used to make a mask. Because of that, try to avoid using bandanas and also scarves as masks.
Sources: Science Alert.