Face Mask Fit Modifications That Improve Source Control Performance

Details

• Personal Author:
  Beezhold, Donald H. ; Blachere, Francoise M. ; Boots T ; Boutin B ; Coyle JP ; Derk RC ; Duling, Matthew G. ; Harris JR ; Lemons, Angela R. ; Lindsley, William G. ; Noti JD ; Nurkiewicz T ; Woodfork K
• Description:
  Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, face masks are used as source control devices to reduce the expulsion of respiratory aerosols from infected people. Modifications such as mask braces, earloop straps, knotting and tucking, and double masking have been proposed to improve mask fit however the data on source control are limited. Methods: The effectiveness of mask fit modifications was determined by conducting fit tests on human subjects and simulator manikins and by performing simulated coughs and exhalations using a source control measurement system. Results: Medical masks without modification blocked ≥56% of cough aerosols and ≥42% of exhaled aerosols. Modifying fit by crossing the earloops or placing a bracket under the mask did not increase performance, while using earloop toggles, an earloop strap, and knotting and tucking the mask increased performance. The most effective modifications for improving source control performance were double masking and using a mask brace. Placing a cloth mask over a medical mask blocked ≥85% of cough aerosols and ≥91% of exhaled aerosols. Placing a brace over a medical mask blocked ≥95% of cough aerosols and ≥99% of exhaled aerosols. Conclusions: Fit modifications can greatly improve the performance of face masks as source control devices for respiratory aerosols. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Aerosols Communicable Diseases Occupational Health Personal Protective Equipment Respiratory Protective Devices Respiratory System Respiratory Tract Diseases Safety
• Keywords:
  Aerosol Particles Author Keywords: Face Mask COVID-19 Face Masks Fit Modification Fit Testing Infection Control Infectious Diseases Protective Equipment Respiratory Aerosols Respiratory Infections SARS-CoV-2 Source Control

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• ISSN:
  0196-6553
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 3 ; West Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  HELD - Health Effects Laboratory Division ; NPPTL - National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  133-140
• Volume:
  50
• Issue:
  2
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20064288
• Citation:
  Am J Infect Control 2022 Feb; 50(2):133-140
• Email:
  FBlachere@cdc.gov
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2022
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:eb64f877597b1f8314406b62c73555a55af827c4da4d9bb729e6df07ecf9bcda3c6a4ffbab7cf66e9ab1eeb1f87f17ed8ccc06e36d4f40d244ca54f96cb02562
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/222781/cdc_222781_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.21 MB ]