A fabric mask is a loose-fitting reusable mask made of cotton or other textiles.
It is often homemade and not considered as medical device/ PPE, providing lower protection against diseases in comparison to medical mask and respirators due to minimal design.
It covers wearer’s nose and mouth with fabric to prevent transmission of large particles.
The effectiveness of fabric mask largely depends on the fabrics use and its construction, such as the number of fabric’s layer, how well the mask fits.
Barrier Face Coverings or fabric masks are not currently regulated by any federal agency but follow ASTM F3502 standard considerations for measurement of mask performance and quality.
The following key testing parameters are used for measuring the quality and performance attributes of Fabric face masks :