Quick-fit Method for Assessing Quality of Fabrics used for Home-made face Masks- Lusaka Zambia
Keywords:
Face mask, SARS-COV-2, Covid-19, Breathability, pressure drop
Abstract
We report a quick, non-standard informative test method for assessing quality of fabrics intended for making facemasks. Highly efficient N95 facemasks masks are costly in Zambia (about US$ 1.20) hence need for cheap alternative facemask materials. Various materials were tested for filtration efficiency, breathability and effect of washing and ironing on these parameters. Filtration efficiency and breathability for monolayer-unwashed showed from highest to lowest; Java (98.00±1.40%,16754.7Pa/cm2), Telela (12.20±1.0%, 18.9 Pa/cm2); monolayer-washed; Cotton(200) pillow-case (87.1±0.1%,217Pa/cm2),Telela (16.5±0.1%,75.5Pa/cm2). Bilayer-unwashed; Java (99.7±0.1,25669.8Pa/cm2), Telela (59.5±3.5,47.2Pa/cm2), bilayer-washed and ironed; Java (99.7±0.1%,11603.8Pa/cm2), Telela (61.0±1.0%,113.2 Pa/cm2). The plain-inner with outer-honeycomb combination, was; grey (59.2±1.0%,150.9Pa/cm2) , black (52.8±0.8%,245.3Pa/cm2 ), yellow-khaki (99.3±0.3%, 490.6Pa/cm2 ) and stiffener (46.1±0.1%,18.9Pa/cm2). Results show that fabrics available are suitable for fabricating masks. Filtration efficiency increased while breathability remained within appreciable values compared with the reference. Washing and ironing had no significant effect on monolayers. Significance (p=0.0006) was shown when monolayer and bilayer fabrics were compared.References
1. Abbasi, S. A., Khalil, A. B. and Arslan, M. 2020. Extensive use of face masks during COVID-19 pandemic:(micro-) plastic pollution and potential health concerns in the Arabian Peninsula. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences, 27, 3181-3186.
2. Adams, J. 2020. Recommendation regarding the use of cloth face coverings, especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.
3. Allison, A. L., Ambrose-Dempster, E., T Aparsi, D., Bawn, M., Casas Arredondo, M., Chau, C., Chandler, K., Dobrijevic, D., Hailes, H. and Lettieri, P. 2020. The environmental dangers of employing single-use face masks as part of a COVID-19 exit strategy.
4. Asanovic, K. A., Cerovic, D. D., Mihailovic, T. V., Kostic, M. M. and Reljic, M. 2016. Quality of clothing fabrics in terms of their comfort properties. Indian Journal of Fibre and Textile Research (IJFTR), 40, 363-372.
5. Chua, M. H., Cheng, W., Goh, S. S., Kong, J., Li, B., Lim, J. Y., Mao, L., Wang, S., Xue, K. and Yang, L. 2020. Face masks in the new COVID-19 normal: materials, testing, and perspectives. Research, 2020.
6. Drewnick, F., Pikmann, J., Fachinger, F., Moormann, L., Sprang, F. and Borrmann, S. 2021. Aerosol filtration efficiency of household materials for homemade face masks: Influence of material properties, particle size, particle electrical charge, face velocity, and leaks. Aerosol Science and Technology, 55, 63-79.
7. Garcia, L. P. 2020. Use of facemasks to limit COVID-19 transmission. Epidemiologia e Serviços de Saúde, 29, e2020023.
8. Howard, J., Huang, A., Li, Z., Tufekci, Z., Zdimal, V., van der Westhuizen, H.-M., von Delft, A., Price, A., Fridman, L. and Tang, L.-H. 2021. An evidence review of face masks against COVID-19. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 118.
9. Huang, S.-H., Chen, C.-W., Kuo, Y.-M., Lai, C.-Y., McKay, R. and Chen, C.-C. 2013. Factors affecting filter penetration and quality factor of particulate respirators. Aerosol and Air Quality Research, 13, 162-171.
10. Jung, H., Kim, J. K., Lee, S., Lee, J., Kim, J., Tsai, P. and Yoon, C. 2014. Comparison of Filtration Efficiency and Pressure Drop in Anti-Yellow Sand Masks, Quarantine Masks, Medical Masks, General Masks, and Handkerchiefs. Aerosol and Air Quality Research, 14, 991-1002.
11. Konda, A., Prakash, A., Moss, G. A., Schmoldt, M., Grant, G. D. and Guha, S. 2020. Aerosol filtration efficiency of common fabrics used in respiratory cloth masks. ACS nano, 14, 6339-6347.
12. L. G. Goh, T. H., K. H. Phua 1987. Wisdom and western science: The work of Dr Wu Lien-Teh. . Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health 1, 99-109.
13. Raheja, A. 2020. Comparison of High Thread Count Cotton Fabrics for Comfort and Mechanical Properties [Online]. Available: https://textilelearner.net [Accessed 03 05 2021 09:22 CAT 2021].
14. Rengasamy, S., Eimer, B. and Shaffer, R. E. 2010. Simple respiratory protection—evaluation of the filtration performance of cloth masks and common fabric materials against 20–1000 nm size particles. Annals of occupational hygiene, 54, 789-798.
15. Santarsiero, A., Ciambelli, P., Donsì, G., Quadrini, F., Briancesco, R., D’Alessandro, D. and Fara, G. 2020a. Face masks. Technical, technological and functional characteristics and hygienic-sanitary aspects related to the use of filtering mask in the community. Annali di igiene: medicina preventiva e di comunita, 32, 472-520.
16. Santarsiero, A., Giustini, M., Quadrini, F. and Fara, G. 2020b. Effectiveness of face masks for the population. Ann Ig.
17. Selvaranjan, K., Navaratnam, S., Rajeev, P. and Ravintherakumaran, N. 2021. Environmental challenges induced by extensive use of face masks during COVID-19: A review and potential solutions. Environmental Challenges, 100039.Veritas 2020. AFNOR SPEC S76-001.
18. W.H.O 2020. Advice on the use of masks in the context of COVID-19: interim guidance, 5 June 2020. World Health Organisation.
19. Wilkes, A., Benbough, J., Speight, S. and Harmer, M. 2000. The bacterial and viral filtration performance of breathing system filters. Anaesthesia, 55, 458-465.
20. Wilkes, A. R. 2002. Measuring the filtration performance of breathing system filters using sodium chloride particles* apparatus. Anaesthesia, 57, 162-168.
2. Adams, J. 2020. Recommendation regarding the use of cloth face coverings, especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.
3. Allison, A. L., Ambrose-Dempster, E., T Aparsi, D., Bawn, M., Casas Arredondo, M., Chau, C., Chandler, K., Dobrijevic, D., Hailes, H. and Lettieri, P. 2020. The environmental dangers of employing single-use face masks as part of a COVID-19 exit strategy.
4. Asanovic, K. A., Cerovic, D. D., Mihailovic, T. V., Kostic, M. M. and Reljic, M. 2016. Quality of clothing fabrics in terms of their comfort properties. Indian Journal of Fibre and Textile Research (IJFTR), 40, 363-372.
5. Chua, M. H., Cheng, W., Goh, S. S., Kong, J., Li, B., Lim, J. Y., Mao, L., Wang, S., Xue, K. and Yang, L. 2020. Face masks in the new COVID-19 normal: materials, testing, and perspectives. Research, 2020.
6. Drewnick, F., Pikmann, J., Fachinger, F., Moormann, L., Sprang, F. and Borrmann, S. 2021. Aerosol filtration efficiency of household materials for homemade face masks: Influence of material properties, particle size, particle electrical charge, face velocity, and leaks. Aerosol Science and Technology, 55, 63-79.
7. Garcia, L. P. 2020. Use of facemasks to limit COVID-19 transmission. Epidemiologia e Serviços de Saúde, 29, e2020023.
8. Howard, J., Huang, A., Li, Z., Tufekci, Z., Zdimal, V., van der Westhuizen, H.-M., von Delft, A., Price, A., Fridman, L. and Tang, L.-H. 2021. An evidence review of face masks against COVID-19. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 118.
9. Huang, S.-H., Chen, C.-W., Kuo, Y.-M., Lai, C.-Y., McKay, R. and Chen, C.-C. 2013. Factors affecting filter penetration and quality factor of particulate respirators. Aerosol and Air Quality Research, 13, 162-171.
10. Jung, H., Kim, J. K., Lee, S., Lee, J., Kim, J., Tsai, P. and Yoon, C. 2014. Comparison of Filtration Efficiency and Pressure Drop in Anti-Yellow Sand Masks, Quarantine Masks, Medical Masks, General Masks, and Handkerchiefs. Aerosol and Air Quality Research, 14, 991-1002.
11. Konda, A., Prakash, A., Moss, G. A., Schmoldt, M., Grant, G. D. and Guha, S. 2020. Aerosol filtration efficiency of common fabrics used in respiratory cloth masks. ACS nano, 14, 6339-6347.
12. L. G. Goh, T. H., K. H. Phua 1987. Wisdom and western science: The work of Dr Wu Lien-Teh. . Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health 1, 99-109.
13. Raheja, A. 2020. Comparison of High Thread Count Cotton Fabrics for Comfort and Mechanical Properties [Online]. Available: https://textilelearner.net [Accessed 03 05 2021 09:22 CAT 2021].
14. Rengasamy, S., Eimer, B. and Shaffer, R. E. 2010. Simple respiratory protection—evaluation of the filtration performance of cloth masks and common fabric materials against 20–1000 nm size particles. Annals of occupational hygiene, 54, 789-798.
15. Santarsiero, A., Ciambelli, P., Donsì, G., Quadrini, F., Briancesco, R., D’Alessandro, D. and Fara, G. 2020a. Face masks. Technical, technological and functional characteristics and hygienic-sanitary aspects related to the use of filtering mask in the community. Annali di igiene: medicina preventiva e di comunita, 32, 472-520.
16. Santarsiero, A., Giustini, M., Quadrini, F. and Fara, G. 2020b. Effectiveness of face masks for the population. Ann Ig.
17. Selvaranjan, K., Navaratnam, S., Rajeev, P. and Ravintherakumaran, N. 2021. Environmental challenges induced by extensive use of face masks during COVID-19: A review and potential solutions. Environmental Challenges, 100039.Veritas 2020. AFNOR SPEC S76-001.
18. W.H.O 2020. Advice on the use of masks in the context of COVID-19: interim guidance, 5 June 2020. World Health Organisation.
19. Wilkes, A., Benbough, J., Speight, S. and Harmer, M. 2000. The bacterial and viral filtration performance of breathing system filters. Anaesthesia, 55, 458-465.
20. Wilkes, A. R. 2002. Measuring the filtration performance of breathing system filters using sodium chloride particles* apparatus. Anaesthesia, 57, 162-168.
Published
2024-06-27
How to Cite
[1]
J. Nyirenda and O. Munyati, “Quick-fit Method for Assessing Quality of Fabrics used for Home-made face Masks- Lusaka Zambia”, Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 27-40, Jun. 2024.
Section
Original Research Articles
Submission of a manuscript implies: that the work described has not been
published before (except in the form of an abstract or as part of a published
lecture, or thesis); that it is not under consideration for publication
elsewhere; that if and when the manuscript is accepted for publication, the
authors agree to automatic transfer of the copyright to the publisher in this
case to UNZA-JONAS.