With face masks becoming one of the most prominent shields to keep coronavirus
at bay, wearing one has become a must all over the world. Doctors insist on it to protect themselves from the virus, and governments are imposing heavy fines on those who break the rules. As such, it is very important to wear a mask and also to do it effectively so that it serves its purpose.
But now, researchers have also come across some findings that say wearing a used mask is less effective in protecting one against the virus than not wearing one, according to a report in the Daily Mail.
The three-layer surgical masks, used by healthcare workers, were found to be significantly effective on first use, expelling nearly three-quarters of the particles that can cause the infection to spread. However, when reused, the masks start to become less effective and can only remove a quarter of the minute droplets because by that time, they start to lose shape due to wear and tear.
Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Lowell and California Baptist University came to understand that the shape of the masks must be taken into account for their effectiveness.
Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering at UMass Lowell, Dr. Jinxiang Xi, was quoted as saying that while wearing a mask is always considered a better idea than not wearing one, the results show that only particles larger than 5 microns can be stopped by a reused mask, but not those under 2.5 micrometers, which are easy to pass through.
Made of an absorbent material on the inside, the intermediate layers of the mask function as a filter while the outlet is made of a non-absorbent material, helping to expel microbes.
The study findings, published in the journal Physics of Fluids, were that the team used a computer model of a person wearing a mask with pleats. They observed how the tiny particles and droplets remain in the air while also finding their way into a person’s mouth or nose. The team developed a computer model of a person wearing a pleated surgical mask.
The study found that masks alter the way air enters the nose or mouth, as they not only enter at specific points, but do so through the entire surface of the mask. Also, the filtering process is different for new and used skins. While the newer masks can keep more than 60 percent of the particles out, the used ones can only do so much less.
To explain the change in the efficiency of face masks, the researchers believe that the layers of the mask cause the difference between the airflow pattern and once they start to be worn, the way their shape begins to loosen, the masks also lose their effectiveness.
There has been much controversy over the mask or anti-mask stance with protests in the US and UK and elsewhere. While a number of Americans continued to protest against the mandatory wearing of masks in various states in the US In recent months, UK citizens are not far behind. Also in India, movements against masks and vaccines are gaining momentum with protests being organized in various cities.
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