I remember searching for this mythical 'science' at the time.
Lots of articles about virus particle size (much smaller than dust particles the N-95s are meant to filter out), how masks work etc (so major nono is having gaps around the edge). Of course cloth masks are useless, if not dangerous because stuff gets trapped in there.
The only thing that 'might' work is helmets with imported air, but there are still confounding factors, such as when and how you take the mask on and off, and risks of contamination from hands - LOL at those continually touching their mask to put it back on their noses. touch, touch, touch,
Not even the heralded N-95 masks will work, even as they restrict your breathing severely.
So, a PAPR (powered air purifying respirator) would work, provided you are also wearing a suit and hood to block all other vectors (ears, eyes, indirect contact from hands etc.) and provided you are using a proper P100 filter.
However, the problem is that even a P100 can be penetrated. If viruses are 0.1 microns or smaller, which they are, then they can penetrate through a P100 filter, which can only block around 0.2 microns and higher.
For comparison, an N95 blocks 5 microns or bigger. Which is a COLOSSAL difference.
So with a PAPR, using the proper filter, you'll probably still see some penetration. So then it comes down to keeping your intake as uncompromised as possible, because the positive pressure the PAPR creates will prevent infection through the respirator gaps itself.
I am unsure if there is a chemical cartridge that works in tandem for viruses like an OV P100 does for organic vapors.
But most of this is moot, of course, as most people grabbing a mask are not financially stable enough to afford a PAPR. Those things are expensive.
But an N95? A cloth mask? Hah. A P100 can't even stop them on its own.
Because there aren't any.
I remember searching for this mythical 'science' at the time.
Lots of articles about virus particle size (much smaller than dust particles the N-95s are meant to filter out), how masks work etc (so major nono is having gaps around the edge). Of course cloth masks are useless, if not dangerous because stuff gets trapped in there.
The only thing that 'might' work is helmets with imported air, but there are still confounding factors, such as when and how you take the mask on and off, and risks of contamination from hands - LOL at those continually touching their mask to put it back on their noses. touch, touch, touch,
Not even the heralded N-95 masks will work, even as they restrict your breathing severely.
I am sure I am preaching to choir here.
So, a PAPR (powered air purifying respirator) would work, provided you are also wearing a suit and hood to block all other vectors (ears, eyes, indirect contact from hands etc.) and provided you are using a proper P100 filter.
However, the problem is that even a P100 can be penetrated. If viruses are 0.1 microns or smaller, which they are, then they can penetrate through a P100 filter, which can only block around 0.2 microns and higher.
For comparison, an N95 blocks 5 microns or bigger. Which is a COLOSSAL difference.
So with a PAPR, using the proper filter, you'll probably still see some penetration. So then it comes down to keeping your intake as uncompromised as possible, because the positive pressure the PAPR creates will prevent infection through the respirator gaps itself.
I am unsure if there is a chemical cartridge that works in tandem for viruses like an OV P100 does for organic vapors.
But most of this is moot, of course, as most people grabbing a mask are not financially stable enough to afford a PAPR. Those things are expensive.
But an N95? A cloth mask? Hah. A P100 can't even stop them on its own.
Yes I meant imported air, not air filtration, as in carrying a tank, or connected to a hose to outside.