The Ability of Common Fabrics to Filter Ultrafine Particles

This data is the result of a study carried out in March and April of 2020 in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the suitability of common fabrics for homemade face masks. This was conducted in light of the severe PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) shortage caused by the pandemic. This data was collected using a setup described by Irwin M. Hutton in his 2016 book Handbook of Nonwoven Filter Media, 2nd edition. This testing method and filtration calculation study is consistent with those used in similar studies on particle filtration. For this study, a 1" diameter tubing apparatus was adapted to give access to two P-Trak Ultrafine Particle Counters. Air was pulled through the apparatus at a rate of approximately 16.5 meters per second. Upstream concentrations represent number of ultrafine particles present in the air before it passes through the filter medium. Downstream concentrations represent number of ultrafine particles present after the air has passed through the filter medium. Readings were taken simultaneous 1.5” before and after the filter medium holder. Each data point represents a 10-second average of ultrafine particle concentrations present in passing air. Filtration efficiency was calculated according to Irwin M. Hutten’s formula. For further information on the setup and filtration efficiency (FE) calculations, refer to Chapter 3 of Handbook of Nonwoven Filter Media, 2nd edition, written by Irwin M. Hutton and published by Buttterworth and Heinemann in 2016: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-098301-1.00003-