Masks are effective protection from airborne pollutants such as PM2.5, viruses, bacteria and allergens. In general, there are 2 common types of masks: surgical masks and respirators like N95 and N99 masks. DIY face masks can be used when surgical masks and respirators are not available. Read more to learn if masks actually work, how long masks can be used and how to wash them.
Covid-19 has led to a surge in interest of how to clean and disinfect masks. Google searches for “wash N95 mask” and “clean N95 mask”. have sky-rocketed. Yet data-backed answers seem to be in short supply. The standard guidelines say to throw masks out and use new ones. I.e. – … Read more
With the shortage of masks during the coronavirus outbreak, many people are wondering if washing masks is an effective way of cleaning and re-using masks. There are companies that claim to have washable anti-pollution masks. This company in India claims to have washable masks washable and can capture air pollution, … Read more
Mask standards can be confusing: N95, KN95, FFP1, P2, or surgical mask? This quick run-down covers mask types, mask ratings, and their effectiveness at filtering particles. First off, let’s start with mask types (or certification types). In general, there are 3 (or sometimes 4) types of commonly used, disposable masks. … Read more
In a recent study, researchers tested household materials that could be used to make DIY masks, but they left out one common material—paper towel masks (also called “kitchen paper”). Could paper towel be an effective material for making homemade masks in times of crisis and shortages? Smart Air Engineer Paddy … Read more
With masks sold out during the coronavirus outbreak, many people will have to make do with what some scientists have called “the last resort”: the DIY mask. Data shows that DIY and homemade masks are effective at capturing viruses. But if forced to make our own mask, what material is … Read more
DIY masks to protect against from viruses sounds like a crazy idea. Data shows masks work incredibly well, and they’re also really cheap. Surgical masks cost a few pennies, and they’re capable of filtering out 80% of particles down to 0.007 microns (14 times smaller than the coronavirus). However, the … Read more
Scientists have actually randomized people to wear N95 or regular surgical masks, then tracked how many people got infected with colds and flus similar to the coronavirus. This data can tell us whether N95 or surgical masks are more effective at preventing infection of respiratory viruses. The results surprised me. … Read more
With the outbreak of the coronavirus, many people are wondering if masks capture coronavirus particles. It’s a lot to ask billions of people around the world to become mask experts overnight. There is a lot of conflicting information. Do surgical masks capture coronavirus particles? Media outlets like US National Public … Read more
With the outbreak of the 2019 novel coronavirus, interest has surged in Japanese Pitta masks. Smart Air has received a flood of questions about how well they filter the coronavirus and other viruses. The Japanese Pitta masks are sleek and incredibly popular, but there’s little information available on how … Read more
Scientific tests have found that simple pollution masks are incredibly effective, but how long do masks last? Most tests are done with brand new masks, so there’s very little data on used ones. And in that data vacuum, people have wildly different ideas about how masks remain effective. I’ve seen … Read more
