The Ultra fit community mask-Toward maximal respiratory protection via personalized face fit.
| Authors | |
| Abstract | Effective masking policies to prevent the spread of airborne infections depend on public access to masks with high filtration efficacy. However, poor face-fit is almost universally present in pleated multilayer disposable face masks, severely limiting both individual and community respiratory protection. We developed a set of simple mask modifications to mass-manufactured disposable masks, the most common type of mask used by the public, that dramatically improves both their personalized fit and performance in a low-cost and scalable manner. These modifications comprise a user-moldable full mask periphery wire, integrated earloop tension adjusters, and an inner flange to trap respiratory droplets. We demonstrate that these simple design changes improve quantitative fit factor by 320%, triples the level of protection against aerosolized droplets, and approaches the model efficacy of N95 respirators in preventing the community spread of COVID-19, for an estimated additional cost of less than 5 cents per mask with automated production. |
| Year of Publication | 2023
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| Journal | PloS one
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| Volume | 18
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| Issue | 3
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| Pages | e0281050
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| Date Published | 12/2023
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| ISSN | 1932-6203
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| DOI | 10.1371/journal.pone.0281050
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| PubMed ID | 36920944
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