Reusable Face Masks as Alternative for Disposable Medical Masks: Factors that Affect their Wear-Comfort
The coronavirus outbreak that commenced at the end of 2019 has led to a dramatic increase in the demand for face masks. In countries that are experiencing a shortage of face masks as a result of panic buying or inadequate supply, reusable fabric masks have become a popular option, because they are o...
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doaj-57cec4a992304abd8b7f9a79e077cf5f2020-11-25T03:54:06ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health1661-78271660-46012020-09-01176623662310.3390/ijerph17186623Reusable Face Masks as Alternative for Disposable Medical Masks: Factors that Affect their Wear-ComfortKa-Po Lee0Joanne Yip1Chi-Wai Kan2Jia-Chi Chiou3Ka-Fu Yung4Institute of Textiles and Clothing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, ChinaInstitute of Textiles and Clothing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, ChinaInstitute of Textiles and Clothing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, ChinaDepartment of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, ChinaDepartment of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, ChinaThe coronavirus outbreak that commenced at the end of 2019 has led to a dramatic increase in the demand for face masks. In countries that are experiencing a shortage of face masks as a result of panic buying or inadequate supply, reusable fabric masks have become a popular option, because they are often considered more cost-effective and environmentally friendly than disposable medical masks. Nevertheless, there remains a significant variation in the quality and performance of existing face masks; not all are simultaneously able to provide protection against the extremely contagious virus and be comfortable to wear. This study aims to examine the influential factors that affect the comfort of reusable face masks, but not to assess the antimicrobial or antiviral potential. Seven types of masks were selected in this study and subjected to air and water vapor permeability testing, thermal conductivity testing and a wear trial. The results indicate that washable face masks made of thin layers of knitted fabric with low density and a permeable filter are more breathable. Additionally, masks that contain sufficient highly thermally conductive materials and have good water vapor permeability are often more comfortable to wear as they can transfer heat and moisture from the body quickly, and thus do not easily dampen and deteriorate.https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/18/6623COVID−19face maskmask comfortabilitybreathabilityfabric maskreusable mask |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Ka-Po Lee Joanne Yip Chi-Wai Kan Jia-Chi Chiou Ka-Fu Yung |
spellingShingle |
Ka-Po Lee Joanne Yip Chi-Wai Kan Jia-Chi Chiou Ka-Fu Yung Reusable Face Masks as Alternative for Disposable Medical Masks: Factors that Affect their Wear-Comfort International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health COVID−19 face mask mask comfortability breathability fabric mask reusable mask |
author_facet |
Ka-Po Lee Joanne Yip Chi-Wai Kan Jia-Chi Chiou Ka-Fu Yung |
author_sort |
Ka-Po Lee |
title |
Reusable Face Masks as Alternative for Disposable Medical Masks: Factors that Affect their Wear-Comfort |
title_short |
Reusable Face Masks as Alternative for Disposable Medical Masks: Factors that Affect their Wear-Comfort |
title_full |
Reusable Face Masks as Alternative for Disposable Medical Masks: Factors that Affect their Wear-Comfort |
title_fullStr |
Reusable Face Masks as Alternative for Disposable Medical Masks: Factors that Affect their Wear-Comfort |
title_full_unstemmed |
Reusable Face Masks as Alternative for Disposable Medical Masks: Factors that Affect their Wear-Comfort |
title_sort |
reusable face masks as alternative for disposable medical masks: factors that affect their wear-comfort |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health |
issn |
1661-7827 1660-4601 |
publishDate |
2020-09-01 |
description |
The coronavirus outbreak that commenced at the end of 2019 has led to a dramatic increase in the demand for face masks. In countries that are experiencing a shortage of face masks as a result of panic buying or inadequate supply, reusable fabric masks have become a popular option, because they are often considered more cost-effective and environmentally friendly than disposable medical masks. Nevertheless, there remains a significant variation in the quality and performance of existing face masks; not all are simultaneously able to provide protection against the extremely contagious virus and be comfortable to wear. This study aims to examine the influential factors that affect the comfort of reusable face masks, but not to assess the antimicrobial or antiviral potential. Seven types of masks were selected in this study and subjected to air and water vapor permeability testing, thermal conductivity testing and a wear trial. The results indicate that washable face masks made of thin layers of knitted fabric with low density and a permeable filter are more breathable. Additionally, masks that contain sufficient highly thermally conductive materials and have good water vapor permeability are often more comfortable to wear as they can transfer heat and moisture from the body quickly, and thus do not easily dampen and deteriorate. |
topic |
COVID−19 face mask mask comfortability breathability fabric mask reusable mask |
url |
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/18/6623 |
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