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Reusability of face masks: Influence of washing and comparison of performance between medical face masks and community face masks

Environmental Technology & Innovation 2022 16 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 35 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.

Jérémie Pourchez Henrietta Essie Whyte, Henrietta Essie Whyte, Aurélie Joubert, Henrietta Essie Whyte, Henrietta Essie Whyte, Jérémie Pourchez Lara Leclerc, Paul O. Verhoeven, Gwendoline Sarry, Gwendoline Sarry, Paul O. Verhoeven, Jérémie Pourchez Paul O. Verhoeven, Lara Leclerc, Jérémie Pourchez Laurence Le Coq, Jérémie Pourchez Lara Leclerc, Jérémie Pourchez Paul O. Verhoeven, Jérémie Pourchez

Summary

Researchers tested the impact of 20 wash cycles at 60 degrees Celsius on the particle filtration efficiency and breathability of both medical face masks and reusable community face masks, measuring performance across particle sizes from 0.1 to 6.5 micrometers. They found that washing affected filtration efficiency differently between mask types, informing guidance on the safe reuse of masks and their relative environmental footprints.

Reusability of masks is a rising environmental concern. Community face masks present a more eco-friendly option as they can be washed and reused several times. The potential reuse of single use medical face masks is also of interest. In this work, the impact of 20 wash cycles (at 60 C with detergent and air-drying) on the particle filtration efficiency (particle size range 0.1-6. 5 m) and breathability of masks was studied.

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