Research: This is the Best Fabric Used to Prevent Corona

Citra

Monday, Apr 06, 2020 | 02:16 pm

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The scarcity of face masks today, makes many people now choose an alternative way to make their own face mask. Actually, cloth masks are not effective in preventing viral infections. However, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the CDC still recommends health care providers who have no other choice to continue wearing cloth masks, bandanas, or scarves rather than not wearing masks, when treating COVID-19 patients.

If you want to make your own fabric mask, here is the percentage of the fabric's ability to catch bacteria:

1. The material of the bag in the vacuum cleaner (vacuum cleaner bag) 95%
2. 83% washcloth
3. 74% cotton blend fabric
4. Original cotton shirt fabric without mix 69%
5. 65% anti-microbial cushion cover
6. Scarves 62%
7. 60% cushion cover
8. 58% Silk.

But unfortunately, the above test only uses bacteria measuring 1 micron, while the Coronavirus is 0.1 micron. For this reason, the scientists re-tested it using 0.02 microns of Bacteriophage MS2 particles, which are 5 times smaller than the Coronavirus.

The results of the study showed that homemade masks capture 7% less than larger bacterial particles. But all home-made ingredients are able to capture at least 50% of virus particles, except for scarves which are only 49%.

Researchers also tested if the mask was doubled into two layers of fabric. The research tested virus particle size on the double layer version of towels, pillowcases, and cotton fabrics.

The result was that the bilayer was not very effective. Double-layered pillowcases only capture 1% more particles and 2% more double-layer shirts than single-layered ones. But by adding a layer of the dishcloth, it will increase its performance by up to 14%. That makes a dish rag or towel as effective as a surgical mask.

Although according to research data bag materials in vacuum cleaners and dishcloths are the most effective ingredients to ward off viruses and bacteria, the researchers do not recommend them to be used as masks. This is because of the problem of discomfort that might result from the use of the mask.

Therefore based on particle capture and breathing ability, the researchers concluded that cotton t-shirts and pillowcases are the best material for making face masks by themselves. These materials can filter out about 50% of particles of 0.2 microns, almost the same size as the Coronavirus. In addition, these materials also make it easier to breathe so that the wearer will feel more comfortable even for a long time.

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