Experiments at University of North Carolina put CDC double-mask guidance to the test

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Earlier this month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new guidance recommending wearing an extra mask to protect against coronavirus infection.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill scientists put that guidance to the test in their labs.

“I had my skepticism whether I would actually benefit to have two of these masks — one over the other,” said Dr. Phillip Clapp, an aerosol toxicology expert in the Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma, and Lung Biology, and assistant professor of pediatrics at the UNC School of Medicine.

To test it out, Clapp had a test subject enter a 10-foot-by 10-foot chamber. It was filled with harmless particles. He then tested how much made it into masks using different layering combinations.

Typically, a surgical mask or cloth mask alone can block about 40% of particles.

The experiment at UNC-Chapel Hill found:

Two surgical masks blocked 15% more particles
A surgical mask over a cloth mask blocks 10% more particles
Cloth over a surgical mask blocks 40% more particles

NewsNation affiliate WNCN asked if any combination of double masking would create the same level of protection as an N95 mask. Those types of masks are still hard to find.

“We haven’t seen, except for under one scenario, a surgical mask or a procedure mask reach the threshold of an N95,” Clapp said.

But scientists say we may not need a mask that blocks 100% of dangerous particles.

“We don’t know how much of the SARS-CO-V2 you actually need to filter out in order to prevent infection to yourself,” said Dr. Emily Sickbert-Bennet, director of infection prevention at the UNC Medical Center and associate professor of infectious diseases at the UNC School of Medicine.

Sickbert-Bennet said without layering, a mask altered to fit more tightly to the face could block 20% more particles. Adding a gaiter over a surgical mask, creating a tighter mask, also greatly increased protection.

Dr. Clapp says the material used for surgical masks are very protective. They just don’t fit well.

“As I’m turning my face and talking, you’re seeing gaps open up on the corners of the mask and the nose,” said Clapp.

Those gaps are where you lose protection. It’s why layering a fitted cloth on top helps close those entry points.

But Sickbert-Bennet said wearing a mask you are comfortable in while covering the nose and mouth is the most important thing.

“You and the person you are interacting with both having a mask on, is the most important double masking there is,” said Sickbert-Bennet.

Surgical masks can be found everywhere from your local dollar store to Amazon. More expensive doesn’t necessarily mean more protective. Clapp said even within the same manufacturer, he found differences in ear loops and mask size.

When purchasing a surgical mask look for the following features:

Three layers
An inner layer made from polypropylene
Splash resistant
ASTM certification (while not crucial, this rating offers medical level protection)

Because fit is one of the most important attributes, the CDC encourages the use of a mask fitter or a brace. These are accessories that are placed over the mask to make for a snug fit. The CDC said they could help to reduce air leakage from around the edges of the mask.

The CDC said regardless of mask materials, fitters could improve filtration by up to 90%.

If you don’t have access to one of these, you may be able to make use of old hosiery.

The CDC said a fitter or brace alternative would involve placing a piece of sheer nylon hosiery material around the neck and pulling it up over a mask to create a tighter fit.

The CDC encouraged the “knot and tuck” method to ensure your surgical mask is not leaking or taking in as little viral particles as possible. Watch the video above for a tutorial on how to do this.