Face Coverings, Aerosol Dispersion and Mitigation of Virus Transmission Risk
The SARS-CoV-2 virus is primarily transmitted through virus-laden fluid particles ejected from the mouth of infected people. Face covers can mitigate the risk of virus transmission but their outward effectiveness is not fully ascertained. <italic>Objective:</italic> by using a background...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | article |
| Language: | EN |
| Published: |
IEEE
2021
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doaj.org/article/2efcee0d775a4c3aba1b7dfa01747d71 |
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| Summary: | The SARS-CoV-2 virus is primarily transmitted through virus-laden fluid particles ejected from the mouth of infected people. Face covers can mitigate the risk of virus transmission but their outward effectiveness is not fully ascertained. <italic>Objective:</italic> by using a background oriented schlieren technique, we aim to investigate the air flow ejected by a person while quietly and heavily breathing, while coughing, and with different face covers. <italic>Results:</italic> we found that all face covers without an outlet valve reduce the front flow through by at least 63% and perhaps as high as 86% if the unfiltered cough jet distance was resolved to the anticipated maximum distance of 2-3 m. However, surgical and handmade masks, and face shields, generate significant leakage jets that may present major hazards. <italic>Conclusions:</italic> the effectiveness of the masks should mostly be considered based on the generation of secondary jets rather than on the ability to mitigate the front throughflow. |
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