[ad_1]
Among the many types of masks in use, such as cloth masks, surgical masks, and N95 masks, the study states that only the latter can filter aerosol-sized droplets.
The use of face masks to help slow the spread of COVID-19 has been widely recommended by healthcare professionals. Face masks slow the spread of COVID-19 and help prevent the side effects of the deadly virus.
According to a review of studies, the COVID-19 pandemic could be stopped if at least 70% of the public wore face masks constantly.
The research, published in the journal Physics of Fluids, evaluated studies on face masks and looked at epidemiological reports that they reduce the number of people to whom an infected person spreads the pathogen – the number of reproduction of the virus.
“Highly effective face masks, such as surgical masks with an estimated effectiveness of around 70 percent, could lead to the eradication of the pandemic if at least 70 percent of residents use such masks in public consistently,” the scientists, including which Sanjay Kumar of the National University of Singapore wrote in the study. “Even less efficient cloth masks could also slow down diffusion if worn consistently,” Kumar added.
According to the scientists, a key aspect of the face mask function is the size of the droplets of fluid expelled from the nose and mouth when a person speaks, sings, sneezes, coughs, or even simply breathes. They said the largest droplets, around 5-10 microns in size, are the most common, adding that smaller droplets under 5 microns are perhaps more dangerous. In comparison, the scientists stated that human hair is around 70 microns in diameter.
Among the many types of face masks in use, such as cloth masks, surgical masks, and N95 masks, they claimed that only the latter can filter out aerosol-sized droplets. The performance of face masks worn for many hours, such as by health care or other essential workers, affects the effectiveness of overall mask fit, the researchers added. They found that face masks made from hybrid polymer materials could filter out particles with high efficiency while simultaneously cooling the face as the fibers used in these allow heat to escape from under the mask.
“There may be a relationship between breathing resistance and the flow resistance of the face mask that will need to be studied for a range of use of the face mask,” said Heow Pueh Lee, another co-author of the study.
“Additionally, the environmental condition in the compartmental space within the face mask will need to be quantified more accurately by using miniaturized sensors and developing human replicas for such studies,” Lee said. Based on the analysis, the researchers stressed the importance of consistent use of efficient face masks, such as surgical masks.
(With input from agencies)
.
[ad_2]
Source link
