(CNN) – Researchers at Florida Atlantic University tested four types of non-medical face masks to determine which was the most effective in stopping drops, such as those that transmit the coronavirus.
The study was published Tuesday in the journal Physics of Fluids.
In the experiment, the head of a mannequin was equipped to emit a simulated sneeze or cough using a hand pump and a smoke generator. A laser was used to map the paths of the droplets.
The tests were repeated with the mannequin’s nose and mouth covered by certain masks readily available to the general public.
The results:
Discovered: The drops traveled more than 8 feet. At 12 feet, most of the drops had fallen to the ground.
Handkerchief covering nose and mouth but loose at bottom: 3 feet.
Bandana or t-shirt, slightly folded and secured over the ears with rubber bands: 15 inches.
Cone style Non-sterile commercial mask: 8 inches.
Stitched mask, tight, with two layers of padded fabric and elastic ties or fabric ties: 2½ inches.
The World Health Organization says that governments should encourage people to wear non-medical cloth masks, especially in environments where physical distance of at least 3 feet is not possible, such as on public transportation, in stores, or in other confined or crowded environments.
In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends fabric face liners to protect others in places where social estrangement cannot be maintained.
The-CNN-Wire
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