Which is the most effective mask for you?

While the pandemic has made the use of masks, as essential, if not more, as one's attire, debates on which mask is more effective are rife. The question most people have is: Which masks are most effective against Covid-19?A study by the Florida Atlantic University experimented the effectiveness of different types of masks available with flow visualization in a laboratory setting using a laser light sheet on a mannequin that coughed or sneezed releasing a synthetic fog made of distilled water and glycerin.Results from this experiment showed that loosely folded facemasks and bandana-style coverings stop aerosolized respiratory droplets to some degree. However, well-fitted homemade masks with multiple layers of quilting fabric and cone-style masks proved to be the most effective in reducing droplet dispersal."These masks were able to curtail the speed and range of the respiratory jets significantly, albeit with some leakage through the mask material and from small gaps along the edges," the study said.These observations, in combination with other recent studies, suggest that current social-distancing guidelines may need to be updated to account for aerosol-based transmission of pathogens. 

The rationale behind using face coverings is to reduce the risk of cross-infection via the transmission of respiratory droplets from infected to healthy individuals. Credit: iStock

Without a mask, the projected droplets travelled farther than 6 feet, the social-distancing guideline currently recommended. Credit: Florida Atlantic University’s College of Engineering and Computer Science

In another mode of transmission, the droplets or their evaporated contents may remain suspended in the air for long periods of time if they are sufficiently small. This can lead to airborne transmission19,22 when they are breathed in by another person, long after the infected individual may have left the area. Credit: AFP

A single-layer bandana-style covering prevents droplets from travelling over 3 feet, 7 inches. Credit: AFP

With a folded cotton handkerchief, more effective than a single-layered bandana, droplets could travel up to 1 foot, 3 inches. Credit: PTI

With off-the shelf, cone-style masks, droplets traveled about 8 inches. Credit: AP

In cone-style masks, there is noticeable leakage from gaps along the top edge. The forward distance covered by the leaked jet wasfarther than the distance for the stitched mask. Credit: reuters

Homemade masks, stitched using two-layers of cotton quilting fabric consisting of 70 threads were most effective according to the study. Credit: PTI

Homemade masks are able to arrest the forward motion of the tracer droplets almost completely. The stitched, quilted cotton masks, prevent the droplets from traveling over 2.5 inches.Credit: PTI