101 Filtering Face Mask Batches – A Comprehensive Study on Particle Passage
Abstract
Abstract During the first wave of Covid-19 infections in Germany in April 2020, clinics reported a shortage of filtering face masks with aerosol retention > 94% (FFP2 & 3, KN95, N95). Companies all over the world increased their production capacities, but the quality control of once-certified materials and masks came up short. To help identify falsely labeled masks and ensure safe protection equipment, we tested 101 different batches of masks in 993 measurements with a self-made setup based on DIN standards. An aerosol generator provided a NaCl test aerosol which was applied to the mask. A laser aerosol spectrometer measured the aerosol concentration in a range from 90 to 500 nm to quantify the masks' retention. Of 101 tested mask batches, only 31 batches kept what their label promised. Especially in the initial phase of the pandemic in Germany, we observed fluctuating mask qualities. Many batches show very high variability in aerosol retention. In addition, by measuring with a laser aerosol spectrometer, we were able to show that not all masks filter small and large particles equally well. In this study, we demonstrate how important internal and independent quality controls are, especially in times of need and shortage of personal protection equipment.
Authors 12
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Lukas T. Hirschwald Aachen
Affiliation as printed
RWTH Aachen University, AVT.CVT - Chemical Process Engineering
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Stefan Herrmann Aachen
Affiliation as printed
RWTH Aachen University, AVT.CVT - Chemical Process Engineering
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DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials
Affiliation as printed
DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials
DWI -Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstr. 50, 52074 Aachen, Germany
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DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials
Affiliation as printed
DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials
DWI -Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstr. 50, 52074 Aachen, Germany
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DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials
Affiliation as printed
DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials
DWI -Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstr. 50, 52074 Aachen, Germany
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DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials
Affiliation as printed
DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials
DWI -Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstr. 50, 52074 Aachen, Germany
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Michael Alders Aachen
Affiliation as printed
RWTH Aachen University, AVT.CVT - Chemical Process Engineering
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DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials
Affiliation as printed
DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials
DWI -Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstr. 50, 52074 Aachen, Germany
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Jens Rubner Aachen
Affiliation as printed
RWTH Aachen University, AVT.CVT - Chemical Process Engineering
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Universitätsklinikum Aachen · RWTH Aachen University
Affiliation as printed
RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine
RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Pauwelstr. 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
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DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials · RWTH Aachen University
Affiliation as printed
RWTH Aachen University, AVT.CVT - Chemical Process Engineering
DWI -Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstr. 50, 52074 Aachen, Germany
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John Linkhorst Aachen
Affiliation as printed
RWTH Aachen University, AVT.CVT - Chemical Process Engineering
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