Barrier face coverings: Impact of washing on filtration efficiency using viral model and submicron particles

ORCID

Nathalie Turgeon : 0000-0002-9623-1748

Marc Veillette : 0009-0000-0156-0796

Caroline Duchaine : 0000-0002-9912-0349

Type de document

Études primaires

Année de publication

2026

Langue

Anglais

Titre de la revue

Aerosol Science and Technology

Première page

33

Dernière page

40

Résumé

Barrier face coverings were commonly used during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic as a solution for the shortage of medical-grade masks. Many of these devices are designed to be washable and reusable. As concerns rise about the environmental repercussions of single-use masks, the use of efficient, reusable barrier face coverings has begun to emerge as an alternative. If the ASTM standard F3502-21 governs the efficiency of inert particle filtration, it does not, however, require that devices be tested against viral aerosols. Although the impact of repeated washes on these devices’ ability to filter inert particles has been investigated, disagreements remain on whether washing barrier face coverings can significantly affect their efficiency. The goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of washes on the filtration efficiency of five barrier face coverings from a single manufacturer against submicron particles and a model virus. To that end, a wind tunnel specifically designed for the evaluation of masks’ filtration efficiency was used in conjunction with bacteriophage PhiX174, which proxied for human pathogens. The five barrier face coverings were washed and tested at different washing frequencies, determined as per the manufacturer’s indications. Results showed a significant loss of efficiency in filtering submicron particles and viruses for all five barrier face coverings. Resistance to washing varied across the tested devices. Reusable barrier face coverings that are intended to substitute for medical-grade masks should be tested after undergoing a maximum number of washes to provide an accurate assessment of their filtration efficiency at the time of use.

Copyright © 2025 American Association for Aerosol Research

Mots-clés

Couvre-visage, Face covering, Efficacité de filtration, Filtration efficacy, Aérosol, Aerosol, Évaluation du matériel, Evaluation of equipment, Choix du matériel, Choice of equipment, Équipement de protection respiratoire, Respirator

Numéro de projet IRSST

n/a

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