A Review of Filtration Performance of Protective Masks

Ao-Bing Wang, Xin Zhang (), Li-Jun Gao, Tao Zhang, Hui-Juan Xu and Yan-Jun Bi
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Ao-Bing Wang: Hebei Key Laboratory of Man-machine Environmental Thermal Control Technology and Equipment, Filtration Performance and Environmental Health of Protective Materials, Xingtai 054000, China
Xin Zhang: Hebei Key Laboratory of Man-machine Environmental Thermal Control Technology and Equipment, Filtration Performance and Environmental Health of Protective Materials, Xingtai 054000, China
Li-Jun Gao: Hebei Key Laboratory of Man-machine Environmental Thermal Control Technology and Equipment, Filtration Performance and Environmental Health of Protective Materials, Xingtai 054000, China
Tao Zhang: School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Hui-Juan Xu: Hebei Key Laboratory of Man-machine Environmental Thermal Control Technology and Equipment, Filtration Performance and Environmental Health of Protective Materials, Xingtai 054000, China
Yan-Jun Bi: Hebei Key Laboratory of Man-machine Environmental Thermal Control Technology and Equipment, Filtration Performance and Environmental Health of Protective Materials, Xingtai 054000, China

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 3, 1-23

Abstract: Masks are essential and effective small protective devices used to protect the general public against infections such as COVID-19. However, available systematic reviews and summaries on the filtration performance of masks are lacking. Therefore, in order to investigate the filtration performance of masks, filtration mechanisms, mask characteristics, and the relationships between influencing factors and protective performance were first analyzed through mask evaluations. The summary of filtration mechanisms and mask characteristics provides readers with a clear and easy-to-understand theoretical cognition. Then, a detailed analysis of influencing factors and the relationships between the influencing factors and filtration performance is presented in. The influence of the aerosol size and type on filtration performance is nonlinear and nonconstant, and filtration efficiency decreases with an increase in the gas flow rate; moreover, fitness plays a decisive role in the protective effects of masks. It is recommended that the public should wear surgical masks to prevent COVID-19 infection in low-risk and non-densely populated areas. Future research should focus on fitness tests, and the formulation of standards should also be accelerated. This paper provides a systematic review that will be helpful for the design of masks and public health in the future.

Keywords: personal protective equipment; masks; filtration efficiency; overall protective performance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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