ArticleAerosol science and technology : the journal of the American Association for Aerosol Research2021
Efficacy of face masks, neck gaiters and face shields for reducing the expulsion of simulated cough-generated aerosols.
Article in Aerosol science and technology : the journal of the American Association for Aerosol Research, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 83 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
83 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 173 citations in OpenAlex.
- Masks and respirators for prevention of respiratory infections: a state of the science review.Clinical microbiology reviews · 2024Pooled it
- Pooled it
- A system for invitro inhaled/exhaled aerosol testing of personal protective equipment.Scientific reports · 2026Article
- Assessing the generation and dispersal of respiratory particles using upper respiratory commensal bacteria as index organisms for respiratory pathogens.Scientific reports · 2025Article
- Demonstration of a Home Laundering Method for Cloth Facepieces to Achieve Hygienic and Sustainable Reuse.New solutions : a journal of environmental and occupational health policy : NS · 2025Article
- Characterization of respiratory particles released during continuous speech and its relation to mask performance.Scientific reports · 2025Article
- Population Behavior Regarding the Use of Face Masks to Prevent the Transmission of Respiratory Infections: Lessons to Be Learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2025Article
- Article
- Efficacy of powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) for source control of simulated respiratory aerosols.American journal of infection control · 2024Article
- Modelling indoor airborne transmission combining architectural design and people movement using the VIRIS simulator and web app.Scientific reports · 2024Article
- Occupational exposure monitoring of airborne respiratory viruses in outpatient medical clinics.Aerosol science and technology : the journal of the American Association for Aerosol Research · 2024Article
- Quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) tool for modelling pathogen infection risk to wastewater treatment plant workers.Water research · 2024Article
- Modeling Nursing Home Harms From COVID-19 Staff Furlough Policies.JAMA network open · 2024Article
- Article
- A microbial risk assessor's guide to Valley Fever (Coccidioides spp.): Case study and review of risk factors.The Science of the total environment · 2024Review
- Efficacy of facemasks in preventing transmission of COVID-19 in non-healthcare settings: A scoping review.Journal of infection prevention · 2024Article
- Reconciling the efficacy and effectiveness of masking on epidemic outcomes.Journal of the Royal Society, Interface · 2024Article
- Facile method for 3D printing conformally onto uneven surfaces and its application to face masks.Scientific reports · 2023Article
- Mask Adherence and the Relationship Between Masking and Weather-Related Metrics.Journal of community health · 2023Article
- Unpacking Cochrane's Update on Masks and COVID-19.American journal of public health · 2023Article
23 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
5 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
Abstract
Face masks are recommended to reduce community transmission of SARS-CoV-2. One of the primary benefits of face masks and other coverings is as source control devices to reduce the expulsion of respiratory aerosols during coughing, breathing, and speaking. Face shields and neck gaiters have been proposed as an alternative to face masks, but information about face shields and neck gaiters as source control devices is limited. We used a cough aerosol simulator with a pliable skin headform to propel small aerosol particles (0 to 7 μm) into different face coverings. An N95 respirator blocked 99% (standard deviation (SD) 0.3%) of the cough aerosol, a medical grade procedure mask blocked 59% (SD 6.9%), a 3-ply cotton cloth face mask blocked 51% (SD 7.7%), and a polyester neck gaiter blocked 47% (SD 7.5%) as a single layer and 60% (SD 7.2%) when folded into a double layer. In contrast, the face shield blocked 2% (SD 15.3%) of the cough aerosol. Our results suggest that face masks and neck gaiters are preferable to face shields as source control devices for cough aerosols.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.