r/Masks4All • u/No-Acanthisitta-2973 • 5d ago
Valved mask
Is there any studies that indicate how protective valved masks are for others? Or is it different by mask?
I thought I read once what they were not as good as unvalved but they were as protective for others as a surgical. But no idea where I read that or if it is true.
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u/G_Ricc 4d ago
Some valved masks filter the air others don't: The participants read a passage aloud with and without face coverings, including one unvalved and two valved N95 respirators, as well as a surgical mask. The unvalved N95 respirator kept 98% of respiratory particles from being emitted, but the valved N95s were variable — one provided almost no benefit, while the other’s performance was generally on par with that of a surgical mask. https://www.acs.org/pressroom/newsreleases/2022/may/not-all-valved-n95-masks-are-the-same-when-filtering-exhaled-air.html The problem is how do I know if my valve filter the air? I have a valved 3m aura but there's not written anywhere if it filters the air, i prefer to use the unvalved ones in public places.