These are the best and worst fabrics and filters for face masks

Q: I have accumulated several face masks during the mandate. Which fabrics are best for filtering particles in the air?

A: Researchers agree that the best facial covering is the one a person will wear. Equally important is the fit of the covering.

In some circumstances, the employer determines which masks/facial coverings are allowed, depending on the likelihood of coming in close proximity to someone with COVID-19. Health-care workers, hospital staff, dentists, dental assistants, teachers, firefighter and police officers, for example, may be required to wear the N95 masks, which filter 95% of particles that are 0.3 microns in size or larger. (For comparison, the diameter of a human hair is about 70 microns.) Remember, though, that N95 masks with valves do not protect those around you, because the wearer’s exhaled breath is unfiltered and allows droplets to escape.

During the early phase of the pandemic, the N95 and surgical masks shortage created an opportunity for the development of original face coverings and for researchers to determine the best fabrics for the face coverings.

Scientists around the country have attempted to identify everyday materials that filter microscopic particles. HEPA furnace filters, vacuum cleaner bags, layers of 600 thread count pillowcases and fabric similar to flannel pajamas scored high. Coffee filters had medium scores. Scarves and bandanna material had the lowest scores, but still captured a small percentage of particles. Some face masks are made with openings between the front and back fabrics so that an extra layer of protection, such as a coffee filter or a cut-up piece of furnace filter, may be inserted.

University of Chicago researchers performed analysis of flannel, cotton, polyester, chiffon, synthetic and natural silk and combination of fabrics for masks. They concluded when multiple layers of combined fabrics were used, the efficiency of filtration improved.

Dr. Yang Wang, an assistant professor of environmental engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology, has published data on fabrics and their filtration efficiency rating.

* N95 masks filtered 95% of particles as small as 0.3 microns.

* Typical surgical masks filtered from 60% to 80% of particles.

* One layer of allergy-reduction HVAC filters captured 89% of particles.

* Two layers of allergy-reduction HVAC filters captured 94% of particles.

* Two layers of furnace filter captured 75% of particles.

* Six layers of furnace filter captured 95%.

* A 600 thread count pillowcase captured 22% when doubled.

* A 600 thread count pillowcase captured 60% with four layers.

* A thick woolen yarn scarf filtered 21% in two layers.

* A thick woolen yarn scarf filtered 48% in four layers.

* A 100% cotton bandanna captured 18.2% of particles when doubled.

* A 100% cotton bandanna captured 19.5% in four layers.

Dr. B. Scott Segal, of Wake Forest Baptist Health, found that quilting fabric filtered 70% to 79% of particles, which was superior to most other fabrics.

— Susan Raschal, D.O., Covenant Allergy and Asthma Care; member, Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society