Which Face Masks Reduce Transmission Of COVID-19 Most Effectively?

Using flow visualization, FAU College of Engineering and Computer Science researchers qualitatively tested commonly-used facemasks and social distancing.

The use of face masks in public settings has been widely recommended by public health officials during the current COVID-19 pandemic. The masks help mitigate the risk of cross-infection via respiratory droplets; however, there are no specific guidelines on mask materials and designs that are most effective in minimizing droplet dispersal. While there have been prior studies on the performance of medical-grade masks, there are insufficient data on cloth-based coverings, which are being used by a vast majority of the general public.

Researchers from Florida Atlantic University’s College of Engineering and Computer Science used qualitative visualizations of emulated coughs and sneezes to examine how material- and design-choices impact the extent to which droplet-laden respiratory jets are blocked. The study results were published in the journal Physics of Fluids.

face mask cough
An emulated uncovered heavy cough jet travels up to 12 feet per inch in about 50 seconds, which is twice the CDC’s recommended distancing guideline of 6 feet. The images above were taken at (a) 2.3 seconds, (b) 11 seconds, and (c) 53 seconds after the initiation of the emulated cough.

Using flow visualization in a laboratory setting using a laser light sheet and a mixture of distilled water and glycerin, researchers generated the synthetic fog that made up the content of a cough-jet. They visualized droplets expelled from a mannequin’s mouth while simulating coughing and sneezing, then tested masks that are readily available to the general public, which do not draw away from the supply of medical-grade masks and respirators for healthcare workers. Masks tested included a single-layer bandana-style covering, a homemade mask that was stitched using two-layers of cotton quilting fabric consisting of 70 threads per inch, and a non-sterile cone-style mask available in most pharmacies. By placing these various masks on the mannequin, they were able to map out the paths of droplets and demonstrate how differently they perform.

The verdict? Loosely folded face masks and bandana-style coverings provide minimal stopping-capability for the smallest aerosolized respiratory droplets. Well-fitted homemade masks with multiple layers of quilting fabric, and off-the-shelf cone style masks, proved to be the most effective in reducing droplet dispersal. These masks were able to curtail the speed and range of the respiratory jets significantly, albeit with some leakage through the mask material and from small gaps along the edges.

face masks
A face mask constructed using a folded handkerchief. Images taken at (b) 0.5 seconds, (c) 2.27 seconds, and (d) 5.55 seconds after the initiation of the emulated cough.
A homemade face mask stitched using two-layers of cotton quilting fabric. Images taken at (b) 0.2 seconds, (c) 0.47 seconds, and (d) 1.68 seconds after the initiation of the emulated cough.
face masks
An off-the-shelf cone style mask. Images taken at (b) 0.2 seconds after initiation of the emulated cough. (c) 0.97 seconds after initiation of the emulated cough. The leading plume, which has dissipated considerably, is faintly visible. (d) 3.7 seconds after initiation of the emulated cough. (All images: Florida Atlantic University, College of Engineering and Computer Science)

Importantly, uncovered emulated coughs were able to travel notably farther than the currently recommended 6-ft distancing guideline. Without a mask, droplets traveled more than 8 feet; with a bandana, they traveled 3 feet, 7 inches; with a folded cotton handkerchief, they traveled 1 foot, 3 inches; with the stitched quilted cotton mask, they traveled 2.5 inches; and with the cone-style mask, droplets traveled about 8 inches.

“In addition to providing an initial indication of the effectiveness of protective equipment, the visuals used in our study can help convey to the general public the rationale behind social-distancing guidelines and recommendations for using face masks,” said Siddhartha Verma, Ph.D., lead author and an assistant professor who co-authored the paper with Manhar Dhanak, Ph.D., department chair, professor, and director of SeaTech; and John Frakenfeld, technical paraprofessional, all within FAU’s Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering. “Promoting widespread awareness of effective preventive measures is crucial at this time as we are observing significant spikes in cases of COVID-19 infections in many states, especially Florida.”

When the mannequin was not fitted with a mask, they projected droplets much farther than the 6-foot distancing guidelines currently recommended by the CDC. The researchers observed droplets traveling up to 12 feet within approximately 50 seconds. Moreover, the tracer droplets remained suspended midair for up to three minutes in the quiescent environment. These observations, in combination with other recent studies, suggest that current social-distancing guidelines may need to be updated to account for aerosol-based transmission of pathogens.

“We found that although the unobstructed turbulent jets were observed to travel up to 12 feet, a large majority of the ejected droplets fell to the ground by this point,” said Dhanak. “Importantly, both the number and concentration of the droplets will decrease with increasing distance, which is the fundamental rationale behind social-distancing.”

The pathogen responsible for COVID-19 is found primarily in respiratory droplets that are expelled by infected individuals during coughing, sneezing, or even talking and breathing. Respiratory droplets may land on healthy individuals and result in direct transmission, or on inanimate objects, which can lead to infection when a healthy individual comes in contact with them.

“Our researchers have demonstrated how masks are able to significantly curtail the speed and range of the respiratory droplets and jets. Moreover, they have uncovered how emulated coughs can travel noticeably farther than the currently recommended six-foot distancing guideline,” said Stella Batalama, Ph.D., dean of FAU’s College of Engineering and Computer Science. “Their research outlines the procedure for setting up simple visualization experiments using easily available materials, which may help healthcare professionals, medical researchers, and manufacturers in assessing the effectiveness of face masks and other personal protective equipment qualitatively.”

Reference

“Visualizing the effectiveness of face masks in obstructing respiratory jets featured” by Siddhartha Verma, Manhar Dhanak and John Frankenfield, 30 June 2020, Physics of Fluids.

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