BENGALURU: With masks now a part of daily attire, but many are unable to be effective, researchers say Indian Institute of Science (IISc) says a three-layer cotton towel is the next best alternative to N95 or surgical masks.
Researchers conducted a detailed study on the effects of sizable surrogate cough droplets traveling at different velocities — for mild to severe coughs — on various locally purchased clothing fabrics, particularly those that Every day uses like stole, handkerchief, cotton towel and surgical. Masks.
“Based on their findings, the researchers recommend using a cotton towel” [with at least three layers] As a face covering if the person cannot use N95 or surgical mask,” the IISc said.
the study was conducted by Bal Krishan, Dipendra Gupta, Gautham Vadlamudi And Shubham Sharma Under the guidance of Prof. Saptarshi Basu, Department of Mechanical Engineering, and Prof. Deepshikha Chakraborty of the Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology.
Researchers said that masks with three or more layers are ideally recommended as a safeguard against diseases such as COVID-19 as they can significantly suppress aerosolization.
Earlier this year, another study by Basu and his team found that when a person coughs, large droplets — more than 200 microns — hit the inner surface of the mask at high speed, penetrating the fabric. and break down or the ‘atoms’ become smaller. Droplets, which have a higher potential for aerosolization, carrying with them viruses such as the novel coronavirus.
Using a high-speed camera, the team had closely tracked the impact of cough-like droplets on single, double and multi-layered masks, and the size distribution of ‘daughter’ droplets after entry, reports TOI. was noted. Cloth.
The researchers found that with single- and double-layered masks, most of the daughter droplets were smaller than 100 microns and had the potential to become aerosols, which can remain suspended in the air for long periods of time and potentially cause infections. .
“You are safe, but others around you may not be,” Basu said, and the team concluded that the triple-layer mask and N95 mask were found to successfully prevent denuclearization, and Hence offered the best protection.
However, the researchers clarified that when mandated by health authorities, even single-layered masks provide protection and should be used when there is no alternative. This study UC. was done in collaboration with scientists of San Diego And University of Toronto Engineering.
Recent studies include Basu and Chakraborty The teams, researchers also analyzed the effect of washing on mask effectiveness. The researchers said that according to the results, the effect of washing the mask for 70 wash cycles is negligible.
Researchers conducted a detailed study on the effects of sizable surrogate cough droplets traveling at different velocities — for mild to severe coughs — on various locally purchased clothing fabrics, particularly those that Every day uses like stole, handkerchief, cotton towel and surgical. Masks.
“Based on their findings, the researchers recommend using a cotton towel” [with at least three layers] As a face covering if the person cannot use N95 or surgical mask,” the IISc said.
the study was conducted by Bal Krishan, Dipendra Gupta, Gautham Vadlamudi And Shubham Sharma Under the guidance of Prof. Saptarshi Basu, Department of Mechanical Engineering, and Prof. Deepshikha Chakraborty of the Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology.
Researchers said that masks with three or more layers are ideally recommended as a safeguard against diseases such as COVID-19 as they can significantly suppress aerosolization.
Earlier this year, another study by Basu and his team found that when a person coughs, large droplets — more than 200 microns — hit the inner surface of the mask at high speed, penetrating the fabric. and break down or the ‘atoms’ become smaller. Droplets, which have a higher potential for aerosolization, carrying with them viruses such as the novel coronavirus.
Using a high-speed camera, the team had closely tracked the impact of cough-like droplets on single, double and multi-layered masks, and the size distribution of ‘daughter’ droplets after entry, reports TOI. was noted. Cloth.
The researchers found that with single- and double-layered masks, most of the daughter droplets were smaller than 100 microns and had the potential to become aerosols, which can remain suspended in the air for long periods of time and potentially cause infections. .
“You are safe, but others around you may not be,” Basu said, and the team concluded that the triple-layer mask and N95 mask were found to successfully prevent denuclearization, and Hence offered the best protection.
However, the researchers clarified that when mandated by health authorities, even single-layered masks provide protection and should be used when there is no alternative. This study UC. was done in collaboration with scientists of San Diego And University of Toronto Engineering.
Recent studies include Basu and Chakraborty The teams, researchers also analyzed the effect of washing on mask effectiveness. The researchers said that according to the results, the effect of washing the mask for 70 wash cycles is negligible.
.