Ask HN: How do surgical masks filter airborne viruses?
Just read 3M's n95 surgical mask data-sheet[1] and claims to contain an "advanced electrostatic media". However, there is no technical data on its working mechanism. My guess is that this is just a net charged cloth that filters viruses by repelling/trapping them. If this is indeed how it works and was charged during assembly, then the electrostatic charge will probably wear out with usage.
I bought a pack and was wondering whether they could be reused by disinfecting them with chlorine dioxide (a gas). However, they might still stop working due to lose of net charge.
I bought a pack and was wondering whether they could be reused by disinfecting them with chlorine dioxide (a gas). However, they might still stop working due to lose of net charge.
[1] https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/~/3M-Health-Care-Particulate-Respirator-and-Surgical-Mask-1860-N95-120-EA-Case/?N=5002385+3294795990&rt=rud