Homemade masks have become one of the pandemic’s enduring symbols. But how well do they stack up against medical-grade respirators and surgical masks?
Better than you might think — and your exhales may actually improve their performance.
That’s the conclusion of an examination of the ability of different fabrics to filter out particles in conditions that mimic the ones on your face as you breathe into your mask. The research was conducted by scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Smithsonian’s Museum Conservation Institute.
