The Safest DIY Facemasks May Need This

The current SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic has brought many people to a place they thought they'd never be: wearing a facemask as part of their daily routine. The shortage of medical masks has sparked a movement to create do-it-yourself masks. Volunteers and entrepreneurs have sprung up on social media sites offering to sew masks for medical facilities and the general public.

Homemade masks vary greatly in style and construction. According to Reuters Health, the best facemasks may require layers of different fabrics. Results of a recently published study indicated that the most effective masks are those constructed of a high-thread-count cotton combined with layers of natural silk or chiffon. Those masks were found to be 80% to 99% effective in blocking particles.

Research scientist Supratik Guha and his colleagues found that cotton combined with polyester spandex chiffon created static electricity that might help stop aerosolized particles from reaching the nose. Researchers also discovered that quilted material also was an effective material for masks, perhaps due to the tangled nature of the batting fibers.

Guha stressed that the best fabric isn't good enough if the fit of the mask is poor. It's important to ensure that the gaps around the face are minimized, although still allowing for the release of exhaled air.

Ideal DIY Facemask May Require Multiple Layers of Different Fabrics - Medscape - Apr 27, 2020.