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Efficacy and Use of Cloth Masks: A Scoping Review
Mehr Jain1, Sonya T Kim1, Chenchen Xu1
1Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, CAN.
Cureus
|October 16, 2020
Summary
Cloth masks offer some protection against virus transmission but have higher penetration rates than medical masks. They may be useful for outward protection in community settings when no alternatives are available.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology
- Public Health
- Materials Science
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic caused a global shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Cloth masks emerged as a potential alternative for disease transmission control.
- Existing literature on cloth mask efficacy was inconclusive.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current studies and guidelines on cloth mask efficacy and usage.
- To provide evidence-based recommendations for cloth mask use during pandemics.
- To assess cloth mask effectiveness in healthcare and community settings.
Main Methods:
- Searched Embase, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar for studies on cloth mask efficacy, usability, and accessibility.
- Included nine articles after full-text screening.
- Conducted a supplementary search for guidelines from public health agencies.
Main Results:
- Cloth masks, including household fabrics like cotton, offer some filtration and droplet retention.
- Penetration rates for cloth masks are higher compared to surgical masks and N95 respirators.
- Cloth masks provide limited inward protection in high-exposure healthcare settings.
Conclusions:
- Cloth masks may offer outward protection in low-risk community settings.
- They can be beneficial for the general public when medical masks are unavailable.
- Effective mask use depends on material filtration, mask fit, and wearer compliance.
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