How Effective Are Fiber Face Masks?Since the outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2, doctors have advised everyone to wear masks to cover the nose and mouth. The best face mask which was popular at the beginning was N-95 masks. Soon after getting popular, it went out of stock.
Besides that, N95 was a bit towards the expensive side that not everyone could afford. So, there came other masks in the market. And, the house of designers and world-famous clothing brands started making masks as a fashion quotient. These masks were twice the price of a daily N95 Mask.
Surgical masks are preferred by doctors in the hospitals under the N95 masks. The prime reason to wear a face mask was to control droplet spread to prevent transmission of the virus. A regular fiber mask can do the job if they come with a valve and the fabric is 3-layered. Therefore, keeping the guidelines in mind, presently, cloth masks are worn by all as they are produced in bulk and are available at low prices.
Why is N95 preferred?
N95 is the gold standard among all the masks. The reason is it contains nonwoven polypropylene fibers which are capable of filtering out almost 95% of the airborne impurities including viruses from the air.
It comes with a snug fit which allows you to breathe freely.
Which material is more effective for a face mask?
Presently, searching buy face mask online has tons of options. You can either buy a pack of surgical masks which are great for one-time use. Else, N95 or cloth masks which are washable.
A homemade face mask is also good to go. But, it should consist of the following:
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It should have a good fit on the face.
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Use good quality ties and ear loops on the earlobe.
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The fabric should be three-layered.
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The fiber mask should be breathable.
According to experts, before choosing a fiber mask, one should look for the ‘Fabric, Fit and Breathability’. Keeping the advice in mind, here is how you can protect everyone from the pandemic.
The tightness of the fabric is vital. To test the quality of the fabric, hold the fiber mask against the light. If the light passes through easily, the mask fabric is ideally woven.
Researchers say the good bet is always a tight weave 100% cotton fiber mask. At the microscopic level, the cotton fibers show a 3D structure than a regular synthetic fiber. The 3D structures create a roadblock that stops any particle from passing.
A triple layer mask is only effective to cover all the lethal viruses from the air. Chu, a scientific advisor at WHO says, the best fiber for using as a triple layer is polypropylene which is made of plastic. He also added that a tissue fabric can be a replacement for Polypropylene. But in that case, the mask must be four-layered to give adequate protection.
Apart from that, a two-layer tightly woven cotton fiber mask with a built-in pocket to keep filters is also a great option.
A professionally designed face mask for travel will get useless if it does not fits the face properly. A fiber mask should always fit the face perfectly to give full effectiveness. Masks with triple folds are very useful too. They expand on the face-covering a larger area up to the chin. Try to avoid masks which are straight cut design and flat at the front.
Which masks are great for traveling?
Face mask for travel is meant to protect you while traveling. Therefore, among the three criteria, a comfortable fit and breathability should not be compromised.
As you shop around, you will have plenty of options. The face mask for men is usually bigger than the females depending on the usual face shape and size differences.
On the other hand, the face mask for women comes in different colors and patterns. There is no rule for categorizing the present necessity. But when searched online, these categories are likely to show some difference.
A regular air mask can also be used for traveling. They are generally pollution masks with a respiratory filter at the side of the face. Moreover, an air mask might not give protection against coronavirus. But, they are highly effective to keep out air pollutants.
Which masks are effective for Kids?
Children over 2 years of age should always wear a mask. In the pandemic, kids and old people should take the prevention of more than mid-aged people. Just like adults, parents should buy face mask for kids. They should not let the little ones out in the crowd often. A regular cotton mask comes in different shapes and sizes. They are extremely kid-friendly and breathable. Make sure the kid wears the mask in the right direction to make it more effective.
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