Interesting Green: Surgical mask, paper towel mask or cloth mask? Japanese professor tests which is most effective against Covid-19

Source Website: https://www.asiaone.com/lifestyle/surgical-mask-paper-towel-mask-or-cloth-mask-japanese-professor-tests-which-most
By Trini Ng, trining@asiaone.com, AsiaOne, 08 April 2020

PHOTO: Dr Tomoaki Okuda, an associate professor of applied chemistry at Keio University, measured how well the three masks could block airborne particles using a Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS).
Three different types of face masks were compared in a science experiment: a surgical mask, a homemade paper towel mask and a homemade cloth mask.
Screengrab/YouTube/Tomoaki OKUDA
Picture posted by Trini Ng, trining@asiaone.com, AsiaOne on 08 April 2020
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Since the coronavirus pandemic broke out, we have seen various versions of face masks people use to protect themselves against the virus, be it store-bought or homemade. But just how effective are these masks?

To find out, a Japanese chemistry professor compared three different types of face masks in a science experiment: a surgical mask, a homemade paper towel mask and a homemade cloth mask.

Dr Tomoaki Okuda, an associate professor of applied chemistry at Keio University, measured how well the three masks could block airborne particles using a Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS).

To put it simply, the hose sucks the air in the room and measures its concentration of particles per cubic centimetre.

In his experiment, Okuda tuned the equipment to search for particles of virus size, which are estimated to be between 20 and 100 nanometers in diameter.

He wrapped the three masks around the opening of the hose and measured the number of air particles that were able to pass through. Here is a breakdown of his findings:

Surgical mask

PHOTO: Surgical mask
With a store-bought surgical mask, the SMPS measured around 1,800 particles per cubic centimetre of air passing through. The results show that the mask has a collection efficiency of around 70 per cent, a high blockage rate for the estimated virus particle size.
Screengrab/YouTube/Tomoaki OKUDA
Picture posted by Trini Ng, trining@asiaone.com, AsiaOne on 08 April 2020
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With a store-bought surgical mask, the SMPS measured around 1,800 particles per cubic centimetre of air passing through. The results show that the mask has a collection efficiency of around 70 per cent, a high blockage rate for the estimated virus particle size.

Paper towel mask

PHOTO: Paper towel mask
Using three paper towels folded in half, Okuda tested a six-layer paper towel "mask". The SMPS measured around 1,000 particles per cubic centimetre of air passing through. With a collection efficiency of around 80 per cent, the paper towel mask appeared to be more effective in blocking out the estimated virus particle size compared to the surgical mask.
Screengrab/YouTube/Tomoaki OKUDA
Picture posted by Trini Ng, trining@asiaone.com, AsiaOne on 08 April 2020
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https://www.asiaone.com/lifestyle/surgical-mask-paper-towel-mask-or-cloth-mask-japanese-professor-tests-which-most

Using three paper towels folded in half, Okuda tested a six-layer paper towel "mask". The SMPS measured around 1,000 particles per cubic centimetre of air passing through. With a collection efficiency of around 80 per cent, the paper towel mask appeared to be more effective in blocking out the estimated virus particle size compared to the surgical mask.

Cloth mask

PHOTO: Cloth mask

A makeshift mask made out of a handkerchief folded thrice emulated the results of the surgical mask. The SMPS measured around 1,800 particles per cubic centimetre of air passing through, with a collection efficiency of around 70 per cent for the estimated virus particle size.
Screengrab/YouTube/Tomoaki OKUDA
Picture posted by Trini Ng, trining@asiaone.com, AsiaOne on 08 April 2020
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A makeshift mask made out of a handkerchief folded thrice emulated the results of the surgical mask. The SMPS measured around 1,800 particles per cubic centimetre of air passing through, with a collection efficiency of around 70 per cent for the estimated virus particle size.

No mask

PHOTO: No mask
Additionally, Dr Okuda tested the hose without a mask covering it and the SMPS measured around 6,000 particles per cubic centimetre of air in the room that are between 10 and 150 nanometers in size.
Screengrab/YouTube/Tomoaki OKUDA
Picture posted by Trini Ng, trining@asiaone.com, AsiaOne on 08 April 2020
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Additionally, Dr Okuda tested the hose without a mask covering it and the SMPS measured around 6,000 particles per cubic centimetre of air in the room that are between 10 and 150 nanometers in size.

So what does it mean? If we are near an infected person, there is potentially a lot of virus particles that we're breathing in.

Posted by Tomoaki OKUDA on 09 March 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=189&v=T4fhfCUWFL4&feature=emb_logo

Conclusion
Looking at the results, wearing a mask does seem to lower the chances of getting infected. Surprisingly, the mask fashioned from a handkerchief has the same effectiveness as a surgical mask, but even more so, who knew paper towels were the most effective?

However, regardless of which mask is the most effective, what's most important is to have good hygiene care and to wear masks properly. Here are also some tips on how to modify or wash your government-issued mask so that it can last longer.

PHOTO: Conclusion
Looking at the results, wearing a mask does seem to lower the chances of getting infected.
"You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands." (Isaiah 55:12). During this uncertain time, this is what we need (peace), more than ever.
Picture posted by 新加坡头条 mail@toutiaosg.com on 01 March 2020
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By Trini Ng, trining@asiaone.com, AsiaOne, 08 April 2020
For the latest updates on the coronavirus, visit here.

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Reference
[1] Trini Ng, trining@asiaone.com, AsiaOne, 08 April 2020, Surgical mask, paper towel mask or cloth mask? Japanese professor tests which is most effective against Covid-19, posted on 08 April 2020, https://www.asiaone.com/lifestyle/surgical-mask-paper-towel-mask-or-cloth-mask-japanese-professor-tests-which-most

Links

lower the chances of getting infected - https://www.asiaone.com/lifestyle/why-wear-face-masks-public-heres-what-research-shows

wear masks properly - https://www.asiaone.com/lifestyle/how-wear-disposable-face-mask-right-way-and-make-it-fit-better

modify - https://www.asiaone.com/lifestyle/got-your-govt-issued-reusable-cloth-mask-heres-how-modify-it-fit-you-better

wash - https://www.asiaone.com/lifestyle/how-wash-your-reusable-face-mask-ensure-its-clean-and-virus-free

here - https://www.asiaone.com/tags/coronavirus?utm_source=coronaviruskeyword&utm_medium=articlepages

Isaiah 55:12 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+55%3A12&version=NIV