QFEA - A Method for Assessing the Filtration Efficiency of Face Mask Materials for Early Design Prototypes and Home Mask Makers

O'Kelly, E.; Arora, A.; O'Kelly, C. E.; Pearson, C.; Ward, J.; Clarkson, P. J.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a surge in the design and production of fabric face coverings. There are few published methods which enable mask designers, makers and purchasers to assess the relative filtration ability of mask making materials. Those methods which do exist are prohibitively expensive and difficult to conduct. As a result, mask makers, non-profits, and small-scale designers face difficult decisions when designing face coverings for personal and commercial use. In this paper, we propose a novel method, the Qualitative Filtration Efficiency Assessment (QFEA), for easily and inexpensively comparing the filtration efficiency of common materials. This method provides a highly affordable and readily available way to assess potential mask materials.