Experimental and Computational Analysis of Surgical Mask Effectiveness Against COVID-19 in Indoor Environment

An experiment coupled with a computational analysis was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of surgical masks, which include KF94 and ASTM Level 1, in an indoor environment. The mask sample shows highest filtration efficiency (99.9%) analysis. simulation is consistent experimental results as concentration sodium chloride (NaCl) droplets < 4% on average room. ultraviolet-C (UVC) irradiation dry heating samples are shown retain efficiencies (> 97%) after 3 disinfection treatment cycles. All methods (boiling, steaming, ethanol treatment, heating) effectively reduce S. aureus load by 99.99%. UVC exposure 450 µW cm-2 for 10 minutes can eliminate all materials. Simulation reduction overall NaCl carbon dioxide (CO2) levels directly proportional reused masks also efficiency. proxy indicator aerosol particles demonstrates that very fine respiratory penetrate reaching steady state. CO2 increase accumulated under adequate ventilation further pose risk infection. (2%) have infiltrated mask, but higher ability block prevent their penetration. findings suggest need revise existing regulation control policy.