Evaluation of the Filtration Efficiency of Common Fabric Materials Against 0.3 µm Size Particle
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Abstract
A shortage of disposable surgical masks can be expected during the COVID-9 pandemic in Thailand. Some individuals may want to use common fabric materials for respiratory protection because of shortage or affordability reasons. This work aims to experimentally study the filtration efficiency of common fabric materials against 0.3 µm size particles. This work was carried out by the ASTM F2299-03 standard test method for determining the filtration efficiency and penetration of fabric materials by particulates using polystyrene latex spheres. In this study, five major categories of fabric materials, including microfiber cloth, cotton fabric, handwoven fabric, nano cloth, and polyester fabric, were tested with a particle diameter of about 0.3 µm at a face velocity of about 10.6 cm/s and compared with the penetration levels for N95 mask filter media. The results showed that these fabric materials tested in the study had a filtration efficiency of 0.3 µm particle in the range between 9 and 36 %. The penetration levels of these fabric materials against 0.3 µm size particles were much higher than the penetrations for the control N95 mask filter media. Results obtained in the study show that common fabric materials may provide marginal protection against submicron-size particles, including PM2.5.
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References
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