Do Vocal Particles Ruin Mask Fit Tests?
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- Опубліковано 25 сер 2024
- You give off particles when you talk. Does that mess up mask fit testing?
To see if your N95 fits you well the best test is a particle counter that compares the concentration of particles out side the mask to the concentration inside the mask, which tells us how much cleaner the air is inside. But what about all the particles you give off? Isn’t that the whole reason for two-way masking? Won’t they screw up the test by filling the mask with particles from you?
To test how many vocal particles I give off, I wore a P100 elastomeric respirator inside of a 3M TR-300 Powered Air Purifying Respirator Hood. That way we know any particles inside the mask are from me :-)
I guess I'm not the only one who has been curious about this!!! I have a portable HEPA filter that has a particle sensor. I have breathed into it and the number went up (from the lowest number as I have HEPA filters running)! I have also tried this in a place where the levels were at the lowest numbers then went to a specific area with lots of people talking and the numbers went up! I don't agree with Aaron with the air going out being cleaner if the air in your area is cleaner. If that's what he said. That doesn't make sense as we generate bioaerosols/particles. I also don't agree with him on glasses fogging as it can happen right away in certain conditions and not indicate leakage, but I've learned a ton from him and I'm greatful for what he's done! Thank you for doing this!
I tested this out @ karaoke yesterday. The particle count actually went up with heavy singing in the group!!!
I would imagine that most vocal particles are moist, and would adhere to the tubing before reaching the detector. Ambient particles are quite dry, and pass right through to the detector.
That is a possibility. I need to review the studies that have quantified vocal particles and take a closer look at their collection methodologies.