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KMID : 1039220170270020115
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Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
2017 Volume.27 No. 2 p.115 ~ p.112
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Changes of Particle Filtration Efficiency of Cloth Masks by Machine Washing and Cloth Expansion
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Kim Seung-Won
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Abstract
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Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the changes in the particle filtration efficiencies of five cloth masks (4 plate types, 1 cup type) with an increasing number of machine washings and the degree of cloth expansion.
Methods: NaCl aerosols were generated using an atomizer and passed through cloth masks in a dynamic aerosol chamber. Particle concentrations were measured both before and after for the cloth masks using an optical particle counter (OPC) in the size range of 0.3~10 μm.
Results: In the original condition, the filtration efficiencies of the five cloth masks were A: 20.1%, B:30.9%, C: 25.0%, D: 26.5%, and E: 40.9%. As the number of washings increased in the order of one, two, and four times, the filtration efficiencies of cloth mask C increased. The filtration efficiency of A, D, and E increased after the first washing. With the exception of B, the filtration efficiency of cloth masks increased after the second washing and those of all cloth masks increased after the fourth washing. This might be caused by the fibers untangling from the yarn and being freed at one end. In this status, the packing density of the textile will not change, but the distances between fibers will increase, which might bring about an increase in filtration efficiency. When the cloth masks were extended by 10% and 20% in one direction, the filtration efficiencies of cloth masks B, D, and E decreased at 10% extension, and those of all cloth masks decreased at 20% extension. When the cloth masks were expanded by 10% and 20% in two directions, the filtration efficiencies of all cloth masks decreased by at least 34.7% at 10% extension, and by at least 60.9% at 20% extension
Conclusions: The filtration efficiency of cloth masks could decrease after one to two machine washings, but will increase after four washings in comparison with their original performances. The filtration efficiency of cloth masks will decrease when they are expanded, such as when stretching over the nose during wearing status.
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KEYWORD
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cloth expansion, cloth mask, filtration efficiency, machine washing
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