Eficiência de filtragem de partículas em materiais têxteis utilizados em máscaras faciais caseiras

Abstract

This scientific study aims to evaluate the filtering efficiency of particles in different textile materials used for the production of homemade face masks, and compare them with face protection masks already on the market. The efficiency of twelve types of masks for nonprofessional use, produced from TNT (Non Woven Fabric) with different weights, 100% cotton fabric and mesh, was evaluated and compared with commercial 3M/KN95/PFF2/surgical masks. The masks were made with double and triple layers of fabric, in order to analyze the effect and suitability of hybrid multilayer approaches for homemade masks, in order to establish a more efficient combination between the materials studied. The samples produced were characterized via weight analysis and the correlation between the permeability of textiles and their retention power of aerosol particles were evaluated through the absorption of various sizes of monodisperse aerosol spheres by the Salt Particle Filtration Efficiency test. (EFS). These results were compared with the reference results of commercial masks with particulate filters, which meet the N95 standard. For each tissue analyzed, the types of substrate, weight and number of layers were factors that significantly influenced the filtration efficiency (EF) of aerosol particles and may be related to protection against particles that transmit the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Homemade face protection masks produced with tricoline fabric and 100% cotton mesh showed EF below 60% for particle size of 100 nm. On the other hand, TNT masks with different layers (one, two and three layers) presented EF greater than 80% compared to hospital surgical masks, N95 and PFF2 S (hospital mask PFF2 without filter). Therefore, homemade masks provide less protection for the population, but their use can prevent against the high transmissibility of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes the COVID-19 disease, as well as other viruses.