A Study on Performance and Reusability of Certified and Uncertified Face Masks
Abstract In this study, the performance (particle removal efficiency and breathing resistance) of several commercially available face masks (KF80-certified electrostatic and nanofiber filter masks, and an uncertified mask) was evaluated, along with their filter structure and composition. Also, the e...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Springer
2022-01-01
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| Series: | Aerosol and Air Quality Research |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.210370 |
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| author | Haebum Lee Seojeong Kim HungSoo Joo Hee-joo Cho Kihong Park |
| author_facet | Haebum Lee Seojeong Kim HungSoo Joo Hee-joo Cho Kihong Park |
| author_sort | Haebum Lee |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract In this study, the performance (particle removal efficiency and breathing resistance) of several commercially available face masks (KF80-certified electrostatic and nanofiber filter masks, and an uncertified mask) was evaluated, along with their filter structure and composition. Also, the effects of the relative humidity (RH) of incoming air, of water and alcohol exposure, and of reuse, on the performance of face masks were examined. Monodisperse and polydisperse sodium chloride particles were used as test aerosols. Except for the uncertified mask filter, PM2.5 removal efficiency was > 90%. The nanofiber filter mask had the highest quality factor due to its low pressure drop and high removal efficiency, and densely packed nanofiber pore structure, and significant amounts of fluorine, carbon and oxygen. The removal efficiency of the KF80-certified mask was barely affected by the higher RH of incoming air. When the mask filters were soaked in water, their removal efficiency decreased. The uncertified mask filter showed the largest decrease in removal efficiency (26%). When the mask was soaked in alcohol, the removal efficiency decreased to a greater degree than when soaked in water. The nanofiber mask filter showed the strongest resistance to alcohol among the tested mask filters. During evaluation of mask reusability, the removal efficiency of certified mask filters decreased by 4% over 5 consecutive days (2 hours per day), and that for the uncertified mask filter decreased significantly, by 30% after 5 days. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3ec509b387ec4ab2ae0988c7dff8ab45 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1680-8584 2071-1409 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2022-01-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Aerosol and Air Quality Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-3ec509b387ec4ab2ae0988c7dff8ab452025-02-09T12:18:43ZengSpringerAerosol and Air Quality Research1680-85842071-14092022-01-0122211210.4209/aaqr.210370A Study on Performance and Reusability of Certified and Uncertified Face MasksHaebum Lee0Seojeong Kim1HungSoo Joo2Hee-joo Cho3Kihong Park4National Leading Research Laboratory (Aerosol Technology and Monitoring Laboratory), School of Earth Science and Environmental Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Techonology (GIST)National Leading Research Laboratory (Aerosol Technology and Monitoring Laboratory), School of Earth Science and Environmental Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Techonology (GIST)Department of Environmental Engineering, Anyang UniversityNational Leading Research Laboratory (Aerosol Technology and Monitoring Laboratory), School of Earth Science and Environmental Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Techonology (GIST)National Leading Research Laboratory (Aerosol Technology and Monitoring Laboratory), School of Earth Science and Environmental Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Techonology (GIST)Abstract In this study, the performance (particle removal efficiency and breathing resistance) of several commercially available face masks (KF80-certified electrostatic and nanofiber filter masks, and an uncertified mask) was evaluated, along with their filter structure and composition. Also, the effects of the relative humidity (RH) of incoming air, of water and alcohol exposure, and of reuse, on the performance of face masks were examined. Monodisperse and polydisperse sodium chloride particles were used as test aerosols. Except for the uncertified mask filter, PM2.5 removal efficiency was > 90%. The nanofiber filter mask had the highest quality factor due to its low pressure drop and high removal efficiency, and densely packed nanofiber pore structure, and significant amounts of fluorine, carbon and oxygen. The removal efficiency of the KF80-certified mask was barely affected by the higher RH of incoming air. When the mask filters were soaked in water, their removal efficiency decreased. The uncertified mask filter showed the largest decrease in removal efficiency (26%). When the mask was soaked in alcohol, the removal efficiency decreased to a greater degree than when soaked in water. The nanofiber mask filter showed the strongest resistance to alcohol among the tested mask filters. During evaluation of mask reusability, the removal efficiency of certified mask filters decreased by 4% over 5 consecutive days (2 hours per day), and that for the uncertified mask filter decreased significantly, by 30% after 5 days.https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.210370Face maskAerosolsRemoval efficiencyBreathing resistance |
| spellingShingle | Haebum Lee Seojeong Kim HungSoo Joo Hee-joo Cho Kihong Park A Study on Performance and Reusability of Certified and Uncertified Face Masks Aerosol and Air Quality Research Face mask Aerosols Removal efficiency Breathing resistance |
| title | A Study on Performance and Reusability of Certified and Uncertified Face Masks |
| title_full | A Study on Performance and Reusability of Certified and Uncertified Face Masks |
| title_fullStr | A Study on Performance and Reusability of Certified and Uncertified Face Masks |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Study on Performance and Reusability of Certified and Uncertified Face Masks |
| title_short | A Study on Performance and Reusability of Certified and Uncertified Face Masks |
| title_sort | study on performance and reusability of certified and uncertified face masks |
| topic | Face mask Aerosols Removal efficiency Breathing resistance |
| url | https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.210370 |
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