How much bacteria can the mask prevent?

If the particle diameter of the pathogen is 0.005 mm = 5 μm or more, droplet infection was defined, if 0.005 mm = 5 μm or less it was defined as air infection. Then, how much particle size can masks (= particles can not pass)?

The size of particles to be prevented

I will take an example of a commercially available mask as an example. PFE (polystyrene fine particle blocking effect test of 0.1 μm) ... 97% That is, 97% of 0.1 μm fine particles were blocked.

※ pollen is 10 μm to 100 μm

Important point

It was found that some bacteria could be blocked, but this is only the result of measurement with only the filter part of the mask, when a mask is actually attached to the face, there is a gap between the mask and the face from there Bacteria may invade. It is important to note that the mask does not completely prevent invasion of bacteria.

 

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