Article in The Atlantic wrongly implored Americans to choose surgical masks over cloth masks, ignoring that 2-layer 100% cotton masks actually filter better than surgical masks under real-world humid conditions, and contrary to recommendations by the CDC and scientists studying masks to use cloth masks (or any mask). Triggered by misleading reports on a Bangladeshi study using inferior poly-cotton blend cloth masks, falsely claiming that cloth masks don't perform as well as surgical masks, not acknowledging that some cloth masks (2-layer 100% cotton) perform better than surgical masks under 30% humidity like when we breathe, as demonstrated by scientists from the Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute and NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology.
Scientists have found traces of lead, antimony and cadmium - metals which can be toxic in “paper” surgical medical disposable masks. Do you want these mask toxins on your skin and breathed into your lungs? What people think is “paper” is actually non-recyclable plastic –polypropylene and polyester, and full of toxins. Under real-life humid conditions, 2-layer 100% cotton masks filter better than ”paper” disposable surgical masks. An ergonomically designed cotton mask like SmitMask is hands down a better choice than disposable masks. SmitMask has no fog, no odor, better filtration, better fit, more breathability, no sliding, and much better for our planet! Switch today to save our planet and wear masks more comfortably.
Are surgical masks better than cloth? Not if it's 2-layer cotton. A report by theSmithsonian’s Conservation Institute and the NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) stated that 2-layer 100% cotton masks have surprisingly higher filtration properties than surgical masks in real-world humid conditions, but polyester or poly-cotton masks perform less well. The cloth mask used in the Bangladeshi trial was a poly-cotton blend with only 37% filtration properties, much lower than other 2-layer cotton masks. Reports about the Bangladeshi study stating that surgical masks are better than cloth masks are misleading. Not all cloth masks are the same, and cotton masks are better than poly-cotton masks that were used in the Bangladeshi trial.
A recent Science Magazine report confirmed what SmitMask and scientists have observed from the beginning - that Covid is airborne. 1% mask leakage leads to 50% reduction in filtration efficiency. When masks are not worn tightly sealed, opening windows regularly is very important when wearing non-N95 masks.
