Researchers at Cambridge University tested a wide range of household materials for homemade masks. To measure effectiveness, they shot Bacillus atrophaeus bacteria (0.93-1.25 microns) and Bacteriophage MS virus (0.023 microns in size) at different household materials.
They measured what percentage the materials could capture and compared them to the more common surgical mask. Smartfilters.com compiled the graphs below:
The surgical mask performed best, capturing 97% of the 1-micron bacteria. Yet every single material filtered out at least 50% of particles. The top performers were the vacuum cleaner bag (95%), the dish cloth (“tea towel” in the UK! 83%), the cotton blend shirt fabric (74%), and the 100% cotton shirt (69%).
Homemade Masks vs. Viruses
The test above used bacteria that were 1 micron large, yet the coronavirus is just 0.1 microns – ten times smaller. Can homemade masks capture smaller virus particles? To answer this question, the scientists tested 0.02 micron Bacteriophage MS2 particles (5 times smaller than the coronavirus).
The homemade masks captured 7% fewer virus particles than the larger bacteria particles. However, all of the homemade materials managed to capture 50% of virus particles or more (with the exception of the scarf at 49%).
Wow, an unbiased informative article in the Mirror.
Thanks for the useful information!
Note: Of course, Karen picks the dumbest, most satirical thing we ever wrote to make a stupid point. By the way, you can just go buy a $1 bandanna from DG and be just as protected–you don’t need a surgical mask. The pathogen is transmitted mainly by extended contact, 99% of the time from your hands touching in and around your face. The mask is only helpful in training you not to touch your face. Ok, boomer?
I can see your understanding of science rivals Donald Trump’s.
Note: You be seemss rawl smarnnt.
Been in and out of Cape Charles for 20 years.
It seems to me pillow cases over heads would improve the esthetics immensely……………except for the politicians, they should get the plastic bag treatment.
I was at the hardware store the other day and it looked like a bank robber and horse thieves convention with all the various bandanas and masks in attendance.
As for me, I found a long roll of something like gauze in the house so I cut off a length of that and wrap it around my head so I look like an escaped Egyptian mummy.
Seems to work, anyway, by keeping people away from me, which don’t make me feel bad at all.
If I had some of those fake glasses with the big nose and mustache attached, I would wear those as well.
They did say to wear a mask, afterall.
https://anest.ufl.edu/clinical-divisions/mask-alternative/
An excellant source for two additional face mask patterns close to but not n95 hospital level protection with the right materials and fit. Instructions on cleaning cloth masks included. Worth a look.