![\"Japanese](\"\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/2.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nThe Japanese Pitta masks are sleek and incredibly popular, but there’s little information available on how well they filter out tiny virus-sized particles such as COVID-19.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How Big Are COVID-19 Particles?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Scientists have taken electron microscope images to measure the size of the COVID-19 particles<\/a>. They found that the “virions” (or particles) are approximately 125 nm (0.125 microns) in diameter. The smallest particles are 0.06 microns, and the largest are 0.14 microns.<\/p>\n\n\n That makes COVID-19 particles smaller than PM2.5 particles, but bigger than some dust particles and gases. However, sometimes the coronavirus hitches a ride on water droplets, which will make the size bigger.<\/p>\n\n\n Wondering whether masks work to protect you against the coronavirus? Check out our livestream recap covering all the info here<\/a>!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n To test how well the Pitta masks can filter out tiny particles, Smart Air engineer Kang Wei purchased a pack of Pitta masks and tested them against 3M N95 masks.<\/p>\n\n\n To measure particles, we used a Met One 531, which measures particles as small as 0.3 microns. That’s about 3 times bigger than the coronavirus. Research shows that 0.3-micron particles are the hardest<\/em> to capture<\/a>. So if a mask does a good job at capturing particles 0.3 microns in diameter, then we can be confident it can also capture smaller, 0.1 micron particles.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Not sure why? Check out the science behind the magic ‘0.3 micron’ particle size \u00bb<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n We compared the Japanese Pitta mask with two 3M N95 masks. The results weren\u2019t pretty.<\/p>\n\n\n The Pitta mask captured an astounding 0% of 0.3-micron particles and only 64% of larger 2.5-micron particles. Maybe the result is a fluke? Separate tests from AQ Blue found similar results<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n This result strongly suggests that the Pitta mask does a very poor job of capturing 0.1 micron particles, like COVID-19 particles. Meanwhile, the 3M masks captured over 90% of 0.3 micron particles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In fact, data shows even a surgical mask would provide more protection<\/a> from the coronavirus than the Pitta mask. Tests from researchers at the University of Massachussetts<\/a> found that a surgical mask they bought on the streets of Nepal captured over 60% of 0.1 micron particles. A 3M N95 mask captured over 80%.<\/p>\n\n\n In short, this data shows the Pitta masks are not effective at capturing small particles. That means it won’t do a good job filtering out the things we care about such as PM2.5, viruses, bacteria, or fine particles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In defense of Pitta, their official store never claims that it is effective against PM2.5 or smaller particles for that matter.<\/p>\n\n\n The Pitta masks claim to be 99% effective at filtering out pollen and dust particles, which range from 5-100 microns in size<\/a>. The Pitta mask might be great at capturing pollen, but for viruses such as the coronavirus and flu, the Pitta mask doesn’t cut it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read more on the method we used to test how well Pitta masks capture tiny, coronavirus-sized particles \u00bb<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n Pitta masks can capture large pollen particles and are stylish to boot! However, they are completely ineffective against 0.3-micron particles.<\/p>\n This means they do a very poor job of capturing the coronavirus<\/strong> or any other virus for that matter. A far more effective and affordable solution to filter out viruses such as the coronavirus would be to use any of one of the high-scoring, scientifically validated masks<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/div> <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" COVID-19 has caused a surge in interest for all types of masks, including Japanese Pitta masks. Smart Air has received a flood of questions about how well they filter COVID-19 and other viruses. The Japanese Pitta masks are sleek and incredibly popular, but there’s little information available on how well … <\/p>\n![\"Coronavirus](\"\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/coronavirus-particle-size.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Coronavirus](\"\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Coronavirus-particle-size-compared-to-other-pollution-types.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nHow Well Can Japanese Pitta Masks Capture Virus-Sized Particles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Coronavirus & Mask Livestream<\/h4>\n
![\"\"](\"\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/8.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nPitta Mask Effectiveness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"comparison](\"\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Graph-of-mask-performance.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Pitta](\"\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Screen-Shot-2020-02-14-at-9.26.54-AM.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/UMass-Surgical-Mask-Study-Virus-EN.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nDoes Pitta Claim It Filters Viruses?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Pitta](\"\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/9.png\")
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