DOST tests efficiency of N95 mask; finds sulfur in dust particles from Taguig City
MANILA, Philippines – The UNTV News team has been given an exclusive tour to the Advance Device and Materials Testing Laboratory of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
Experts at the DOST’s Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) explained how they test the ability of face masks to screen airborne contaminants specifically volcanic ash.
DOST-ITDI Chemical and Metallurgical Laboratory head, Beejay Salon initiated the testing of a piece of face mask that residents in Batangas are using – the N95 mask.
“Ika-cut natin yung sample para makita natin yung layers ng mask (We will cut the sample to see the layers of the mask),” he said.
Using a state-of-the-art optical microscope or a low-powered stereomicroscope, they magnified the cut section of N95 mask 20 times.
The same procedure was done to an ordinary surgical mask.
“Kung ikukumpara mo ang dalawang images, yung N95 is mas pino, ito kasi mas malalawak yung pagkakalayo ng mga fiber (If we compare both images, the fiber in N95 is finer unlike in the [surgical mask] which is less compact),” explained Lab Manager Dr. Aracely Monsada.
“So ano pong implication noon? Iyong N95 ay mas mataas ang efficiency niya (What’s the implication? N95 is more efficient) to protect the person from inhaling particles that are smaller,” she added.
Apart from smaller particles, N95 mask can also filter microbes and viruses such as the one that causes Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
“Kaya sinabing N95 ibig sabihin 95% ang efficiency niya na pwede niyang i-block yung particles as small as 0.3 micron (That’s why it’s labeled ‘N95’ because its efficiency is 95% when it comes to blocking particles as small as 0.3 micron),” Monsada said.
The news team also had a piece of towel and a cotton fabric checked for efficiency.
Test results showed fibers in the said fabrics were not finely-knit.
DOST also demonstrated the use of its new equipment — the field emission scanning electron microscope — in testing samples of volcanic ash that reached the Department’s central office in Taguig City.
“Based doon sa result, may mga particles na may nakitang sulfur (Based on the results, we found sulfur in the dust particles),” confirmed laboratory analyst, Dhale Mar Alfeche.
“In terms of percentage, nakita natin na pinakamataas (the highest is) 9% sulfur,” he added.
Experts concluded that finer particles reach the farthest distance, because they are lighter in weight.
Therefore, exposure to such very fine ash particles poses high risk when inhaled or ingested.
“Kapag ito ay na-inhale ninyo, which is actually less than 2 microns, tapos nakikita mo merong mga parang needle-like particles, puwede kasing pagpasok niya sa system natin pwedeng mag-abrade siya (Once you inhale these needle-like particles which are actually less than 2 microns, it can be abrasive once it enters your system),” warned Dr. Monsada.
“Tapos, kung aabot siya sa lungs pwedeng mag cause ng (If these particles reach your lungs, they can cause) cancer or other health complication,” he concluded. – MNP (with exclusive interview/coverage by Rey Pelayo)
