Durham, NC – Duke University study that showed how poorly some face coverings performed was not exactly the intent of the study, researchers said Wednesday.
The study, first reported by WRAL News last week, found that neckgasters do a better job of spreading coronavirus than contain it, a detail that has since garnered national media attention.
But Martin Fischer, an associate research professor in Duke’s chemistry department who participated in the study, said the research was aimed at demonstrating a way to study the effectiveness of masks and other face masks.
Researchers used a laser in a box and a camera to capture respiratory particles that may have escaped from various masks.
“It’s great to see how many particles come out of your mouth as you speak,” Fischer said.
A fitted N95 mask performed best, but according to the researchers, a neck gaiter used in the test did the least – which showed that droplets break into smaller particles that then escape into the air.
“Not everyone … neck goers are bad. There are enough goods out there,” Fischer said. “It depends so much on the material, on how many layers you wear.”
The Clark brothers said they would have performed better in the Duke tests.
“Not every neck gaiters are the same, “said 14-year-old Dylan Clark. There are a ton of neck masks out there, and just because they test one, does not apply to everyone. “
He and his 16-year-old brother, Connor, own a business, CopperSafe, which has sold tens of thousands gaiters.
“We’ve seen so many customers re-order masks – the individual and businesses, “said Dylan Clark.
Fischer said the study was not intended to assess multiple coatings, adding that he found wearing a face mask to be an important way to limit the spread of the virus.
“Just because we had one bad mask, does not diss all other masks, “he said. We do not have the resources to test all kinds of masks. “
The research team plans to additionally study how particles escape masks, whether they come from holes around the edges or move through the fabric, he said.
.
