2
$\begingroup$

Reference: A. Konda et al., "Aerosol Filtration Efficiency of Common Fabrics Used in Respiratory Cloth Masks", ACS Nano 2020, 14, 5, 6339–6347.

The paper linked above was about experimentally determining the efficiency of different cloth masks. They say the pressure difference determines the breath-ability and comfortableness of a mask.

  1. Masks filter out tiny particles. So can masks be considered as a barrier as it allows us to breathe easily?

  2. If so, how is a pressure difference created when we wear a mask as mentioned in the paper?

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
1

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
2
$\begingroup$

  1. The tiny particles (of micron size) that the mask filters out is still much bigger than the dimensions of the gas molecules (of nano meter size) that we breathe. So the mask's ability to filter particles such as microbes is not necessarily a barrier to breathing.

  2. Pressure difference is created in the process of drawing a breath due to expansion of lungs. This holds whether or not you wear a mask.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
2
  • $\begingroup$ So basically wearing a mask won't create an additional pressure difference? $\endgroup$
    – Ihsan Ahmed K
    Commented Nov 5, 2020 at 8:11
  • $\begingroup$ @IhsanAhmedK There will be pressure drop across the mask. In other words, you have to breathe harder with the mask on, but it is not that you can't breathe. How much pressure difference occurs across the mask depends on the porosity of the mask. $\endgroup$
    – Deep
    Commented Nov 5, 2020 at 9:32

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.