Although Cloth Face Masks Seem Simple, They Are Very Complex
The researchers’ work contributed to the development of the first standard for cloth face masks, called F3502, by the global standards organization ASTM. Zangmeister said he thinks the standard will help ease the confusion the public has over how well a cloth mask performs, how well it filters, and how breathable it is. As for their next steps, Zangmeister said that they’re trying to figure out how to best layer off-the-shelf materials that are both breathable and offer good particle filtration. There is a balance there, he affirmed.
“Like some things that seem simple on the surface, after you really study it, you find there is a lot of complexity. These masks definitely fit that bill,” Zangmeister said.
