The Importance, Effectiveness, and Decontamination of Face Masks and Respirators in Preventing COVID-19 Exposure as it Travels Through the Environment

Face mask use during the COVID-19 pandemic has been shown to effectively reduce the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, especially when everyone who is interacting closely wears one while talking, breathing, coughing, or sneezing, by reducing the amount of exposure to viral droplets and aerosols. There has been a huge global shortage in masks, however, which makes it hard to fully protect the public, especially frontline healthcare workers and those in developing countries. Some face masks, such as N95 respirators, are made of fabrics efficient in blocking and retaining small airborne particles and are custom fitted to the face to offer more protection than surgical or fabric masks, though any mask is better protection than nothing. One way to conserve PPE during this pandemic is to sterilize and reuse masks, and research is currently being done to discern the most effective and practical decontamination procedure that does not damage the structural integrity of the masks themselves. This report addresses the types, properties and protective performance of face masks and related face protection options, such as face shields, the various methods to decontaminate and disinfect face masks for reuse, the relevant knowledge and research gaps that exist and some recommendations to address these gaps.Bachelor of Science in Public Healt