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TOKYO (REUTERS) – Japanese supercomputer simulations showed that wearing two masks provided limited benefit in blocking the viral spread of Covid-19 compared to a properly fitted mask.
The findings partly contradict recent recommendations from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that two masks were better than one at reducing a person’s exposure to coronavirus.
Researchers used the Fugaku supercomputer to model the flow of virus particles from people wearing different types and combinations of masks, according to a study published Thursday (March 4) by research giant Riken and the University of Kobe.
Wearing a single surgical-type mask, made of nonwoven material, was 85 percent effective in blocking particles when worn tight around the nose and face. Adding a polyurethane mask on top increased the effectiveness to just 89 percent.
Wearing two non-woven masks is not helpful because air resistance builds up and causes leakage around the edges.
“The double-masking performance just doesn’t add up,” wrote the researchers, led by Makoto Tsubokura.
Overall, professional-grade N95 masks were the best at protecting against infections, followed by non-woven masks, cloth masks, and finally polyurethane types, the study showed.
Riken’s research team previously used the Fugaku supercomputer to model how humidity can affect viral contagion and infection risks in trains, workspaces and other environments.
As the Covid-19 epidemic progressed, scientific consensus grew that the virus is spread through the air and masks are effective in controlling contagion.
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