Filtration Performance of FDA-Cleared Surgical Masks
Open accessAbstract
Ashortage of NIOSH-approved respirators is predicted during an influenza pandemic and other infectious disease outbreaks. Healthcare workers may use surgical masks instead of respirators due to non-availability and for economical reasons. This study investigated the filtration performance of surgical masks for a wide size range of submicron particles including the sizes of many viruses. Five models of FDA-cleared surgical masks were tested for room air particle penetrations at constant and cyclic flow conditions. Penetrations of polydisperse NaCl aerosols (75±20 nm, count median diameter), monodisperse NaCl aerosols (20-400 nm range) and particles in the 20-1000 nm range were measured at 30 and 85 liters/min. Filtration performance of surgical masks varied widely for room air particles at constant flow and correlated with the penetration levels measured under cyclic flow conditions. Room air particle penetration levels were comparable to polydisperse and monodisperse aerosol penetrations at 30 and 85 liters/minute. Filtration performance of FDA-cleared surgical masks varied widely for room air particles, and monodisperse and polydisperse aerosols. The results suggest that not all FDA-cleared surgical masks will provide similar levels of protection to wearers against infectious aerosols in the size range of many viruses
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In the case of surgical masks, both electrostatic and mechanical types, with most penetrating particle size greater than 100 nm, are available.
“In the case of SMs, both electrostatic as well as mechanical (MPPS > 100 nm) types are available. (8)”
In general, the filter efficiency of N95 filtering facepiece respirators is superior to surgical masks.
“In general, the filter efficiency of N95 FFRs is superior to SMs. (7,8)”
The most penetrating particle size for N95 filtering facepiece respirators is approximately 50 nm electrical mobility diameter.
“The most penetrating particle size (MPPS) for N95 FFRs is ∼ 50 nm (electrical mobility diameter). (8)”
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- Authors
- Rengasamy*, S., Miller, A., Eimer, B. C., & Shaffer, R. E.
- Affiliations
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (US)
- ORCID
- Shaffer, Ronald E.
- Venue
- Journal of the International Society for Respiratory Protection
- Published
- 2009-06-30
- Volume
- 26
- Issue
- 1-2
- Pages
- 54-70
- ISSN
- 0892-6298 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC7357397
- OpenAlex
- W7202395910
- Cited by
- 69
- References
- 1
- Citations by year
- 2025: 5 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 4 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 5
- FWCI
- 2.25
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Locations
- Journal of the International Society for Respiratory Protection (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- PubMed
- Funders
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine › Infection Control and Ventilation
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Electrical and Electronic Engineering › Aerosol Filtration and Electrostatic Precipitation
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Occupational Therapy › Occupational Health and Safety in Workplaces
- Keywords
- surgical masks, filtration efficiency, particle penetration, submicron particles, pandemic influenza, respirator shortage, healthcare workers, viral aerosols, NaCl aerosol, respiratory protection
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