Is YOUR mask safe? New research shows some stop just seven per cent of bacteria
Is YOUR mask safe? New research shows some stop just seven per cent of bacteria amid ‘alarming’ variations between best and worst face coverings (and reveals why you should wash yours)
- Which? tests highlighted differences among the face masks currently available
- Masks available from Asda, John Lewis, Boots, Ocado and Asos were tested
- Researchers studied how well they filter bacteria and how breathable they are
- Best were NEQI reusable mask and Bags of Ethics Great British Designer mask
- Etiquette, Termin8 Lightweight Breathable, and Asda White mask among worst
A health alert has been issued over some reusable facemasks with evidence that some filter out just 7per cent of harmful bacteria.
The warning comes from consumer experts at Which? after a survey of 15 masks which suggest some offer little or no protection.
Three of the masks, available online and in the high street, were so flimsy that they have been issued with a ‘Don’t Buy’ rating.
These include the Etiquette mask, which is sold by Superdrug, the Termin8 Lightweight Breathable, available at Lloyds Pharmacy and elsewhere, and the Asda White Patterned.
Asda has pulled its face covering from sale as a result of the findings.
Asda has pulled its face covering (left) from sale as a result of the findings. Right, the Termin8 Lightweight Breathable mask did not fare well in the tests
Termin8 and Superdrug disputed the findings and said that their masks conform to government guidelines for fabric face coverings and that the guidance doesn’t require them to have bacterial filtration.
Scientists tested the masks for how well they filter bacteria, how breathable they are, and how they fare after multiple washes.
Perhaps surprisingly, Which? found that many of the masks performed better after they were put through a hot wash as this meant the fibres became more compressed.
Which? said reusable fabric face coverings are not designed to block ultra-fine particles such as Covid-19 like a higher-grade medical respirator mask would.
However, they can help because they are intended to help block larger droplets and aerosols breathed out by the wearer, who may be infected but asymptomatic.
In theory, this should help protect the wider community by minimising exhalation of virus particles in enclosed spaces.
Masks with multiple layers were much more effective than single layer versions at filtering particles.
However, the fact they had more layers meant it was more difficult to breathe easily through them.
Which? awarded two of the products tested ‘Best Buy’ status because they were comfortable and breathable without compromising on filtration.
These are the NEQI reusable face mask (£15 for 3), which is available from retailers including Boots and Ocado, as well as Bags of Ethics Great British Designer face coverings (£15 for 3), available at Asos and John Lewis.
Head of Home Products and Services at Which?, Natalie Hitchins, said: ‘With face coverings now such an important part of daily life, they not only need to be durable and comfortable, but also provide effective filtration from harmful particles in order to keep us and others safe.
‘We would urge manufacturers to use our findings to up their game and improve their products.’
The Asos design Palm Print face covering, which costs £12, scored well with a 78% overall rating in the tests
Three of the masks were issued with a ‘Don’t Buy’ rating. These include the Etiquette mask, which is sold by Superdrug (left). Right, The NEQI reusable face mask was awarded ‘Best Buy’ status
Lloyds Pharmacy said: ‘We take the quality and efficacy of the products we sell very seriously and work with our suppliers to ensure they comply with UK regulations and standards.
‘We have confirmed with the supplier of the Termin8 mask in question that it is compliant with all necessary requirements as set out by the Department for Health & Social Care and the British Retail Consortium, for use as a face covering in numerous public settings as required by UK law.’
Superdrug said: ‘We dispute the testing methods that have been used by Which? and are disappointed that the fabric Face Cover by our supplier Etiquette Super Mask has been given a ‘Don’t Buy’ rating because it has been tested against the EN 14683 standard for surgical masks and the CEN Workshop Agreement which is not an official standard.
‘This product was clearly retailed as a fabric face covering and not a surgical mask – designed to help the wearer reduce the spread of a cold or virus, as per Government guidelines.’
Asda said: ‘Product safety is our key priority and all of our George face coverings comply with and British Retail Consortium guidance and the Office for Product Safety and Standards.
‘The covering that featured in this review was produced before the CWA17533 guidelines were published and is no longer on sale.’
Bags of Ethics Great British Designer face coverings (£15 for 3), available at Asos and John Lewis, were awarded Best Buy status
