Review of the Breathability and Filtration Efficiency of Common Household Materials for Face Masks

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Laura H Kwong, Stanford University; Rob Wilson, N95DECON, San Francisco; Shailabh Kumar, Stanford University; Yoshika Susan Crider, University of California Berkeley; Yasmin Reyes Sanchez, Stanford University; David Rempel, University of California San Francisco; Ajay Pillarisetti, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2021-04-06
• Publisher: AMER CHEMICAL SOC
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2021 American Chemical Society
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.0c10146
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: ACS NANO
• Volume: 15
• Issue: 4
• Start Page: 5904
• End Page: 5924
• Grant/Funding Information: AP was supported by the HERCULES Center P30ES019776 and a Rollins School of Public Health Dean’s Innovation and Pilot Grant Award.
• Keywords: COVID-19; filtration efficiency; pressure differential; Nanoscience & Nanotechnology; AEROSOL FILTRATION; INFECTION; Chemistry, Physical; cloth mask; Chemistry, Multidisciplinary; Science & Technology - Other Topics; SARS-CoV-2; PERFORMANCE; breathability; CLOTH MASKS; FILTER; Chemistry; homemade mask; Physical Sciences; Science & Technology; SURGICAL MASKS; face mask; VELOCITY; Technology; Materials Science, Multidisciplinary; Materials Science

Abstract

The World Health Organization and the United States Centers for Disease Control have recommended universal face masking by the general public to slow the spread of COVID-19. A number of recent studies have evaluated the filtration efficiency and pressure differential (an indicator of breathability) of various, widely available materials that the general public can use to make face masks at home. In this review, we summarize those studies to provide guidance for both the public to select the best materials for face masks and for future researchers to rigorously evaluate and report on mask material testing. Of the tested fabric materials and material combinations with adequate breathability, most single and multilayer combinations had a filtration efficiency of <30%. Most studies evaluating commonly available mask materials did not follow standard methods that would facilitate comparison across studies, and materials were often described with too few details to allow consumers to purchase equivalent materials to make their own masks. To improve the usability of future study results, researchers should use standard methods and report material characteristics in detail.