Preliminary Evaluation of Filtration Efficiency and Differential Pressure ASTM F3502 Testing Methods of Non-Medical Masks Using a Face Filtration Mount

Charles Freeman, Reuben Burch, Lesley Strawderman, Catherine Black, David Saucier, Jaime Rickert, John Wilson, Sarah Ashley Bealor, Madison Ratledge, Sydney Fava, Brian Smith, Charlie Waggoner, Courtney Taylor, Abigail Nichols, Gregory Skaggs and Thomas Callans
Additional contact information
Charles Freeman: School of Human Sciences, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762, USA
Reuben Burch: Industrial and Systems Engineering, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762, USA
Lesley Strawderman: Industrial and Systems Engineering, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762, USA
Catherine Black: School of Human Sciences, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762, USA
David Saucier: Industrial and Systems Engineering, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762, USA
Jaime Rickert: Institute Clean Energy and Technology, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762, USA
John Wilson: Institute Clean Energy and Technology, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762, USA
Sarah Ashley Bealor: School of Human Sciences, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762, USA
Madison Ratledge: School of Human Sciences, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762, USA
Sydney Fava: School of Human Sciences, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762, USA
Brian Smith: Industrial and Systems Engineering, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762, USA
Charlie Waggoner: Institute Clean Energy and Technology, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762, USA
Courtney Taylor: Workforce and Economic Development, Golden Triangle Campus, East Mississippi Community College, Mayhew, MS 39753, USA
Abigail Nichols: School of Human Sciences, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762, USA
Gregory Skaggs: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tampa, FL 33607, USA
Thomas Callans: Department of Athletics, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762, USA

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 8, 1-10

Abstract: Research surrounding the mandated use of non-medical fabric masks is inconsistent and often confusing when compared to the standard N95. A recently published standard from ASTM International and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention attempts to normalize evaluation procedures. The purpose of this study is to conduct a preliminary evaluation of the new methods for testing filtration efficiency of masks outlined by ASTM International F3502, where results can be directly compared to standards outlined for non-medical fabric masks. Eleven consumer non-medical fabric masks were tested for filtration efficiency and airflow resistance using a face filtration mount in accordance with the newly released ASTM International standard for facial barriers. The mean FE% (SD) ranged from 0.46% (0.44) to 11.80% (2.76) with the 3-layer athletic mesh having the highest performance and the highest deviations. All the masks tested following the procedure failed to meet to minimum FE of 20%; however all masks performed below the minimum upper limits for airflow resistance. Using a non-medical fabric masks as the sole mitigation strategy may not be as effective, as previously reported. With efforts to standardize and regulate the non-medical fabric mask market, this study demonstrates a variety of currently available consumer mask products do not meet the minimum standards nor are these remotely close to the standards of surgical or N95 masks.

Keywords: filtration efficiency; fabric masks; COVID-19; textiles (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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