Are Woodworking Masks Good for Covid? | 2023

May 3, 2021

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With coronavirus now a part of our daily lives, a reliable face covering is essential. While disposable masks are the preferred choice of many, they are not always readily available. Some people turn to home-made alternatives or scarves to provide themselves with a layer of protection, but these are not always reliable. However, one alternative some people have turned are dust masks usually used for woodworking.

Are Dust Masks Effective at Protecting Against Covid?

Dust masks are different in design than the 3-ply surgical masks that most people tend to use to protect against coronavirus. Dust masks are more rigid in design, with the mask hugging tightly over the nose and mouth, fastening around the ears with elasticated material. Another key difference between 3-ply masks and dust masks used for woodworking is that the latter features a valve at the front. This is something to consider when weighing up the effectiveness of dust masks when it comes to protecting against coronavirus.

In theory, dust masks offer the wearer a decent amount of protection against harmful pollutants in the air. However, it is worth remembering that they are designed to prevent the wearer from inhaling sawdust and debris particles that are far larger than the microscopic viruses found in water droplets.

Those wearing a dust mask are provided you with a reasonable degree of protection against fine particles, with the metallic bridge allowing the mask to be pinched tightly around the contours of the face. However, the inclusion of a valve means the same does not apply in reverse. In other words, if the wearer is suffering from coronavirus symptoms and coughs or sneezes, they are more likely to send contaminated particles out into the air around them.

If you want to enjoy the best protection against coronavirus and prevent the chance of infecting others if you are symptomatic, you should instead be using a 3-ply surgical mask. The folds of material serve as an effective barrier for particles in both directions, unlike face coverings that feature ventilation valves.