Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

sl8

(13,584 posts)
Mon Apr 13, 2020, 03:57 PM Apr 2020

Is it safe to make a DIY mask out of a vacuum bag? Debate erupts

From https://www.oregonlive.com/coronavirus/2020/04/is-it-safe-to-make-a-diy-mask-out-of-a-vacuum-bag-debate-erupts.html

Is it safe to make a DIY mask out of a vacuum bag? Debate erupts

Posted Apr 09, 2020

By Aimee Green | The Oregonian/OregonLive

Controversy has erupted over whether it’s safe to construct a homemade mask out of a vacuum bag to fight the spread of the new coronavirus.

The Oregonian/OregonLive was among the media that reported earlier this week about a Cambridge University study that tested a range of commonly found household items as DIY mask material candidates -- including T-shirts, tea towels, scarves and linen.

The researchers found vacuum bags to be one of the top performers, filtering out 94 percent of airborne particles. Other studies looked at sweatshirts, pillowcases and cotton bandanas, but the vacuum bags outshined nearly all of them.

Our story included a link to a popular YouTube [link:|
] by Dr. Ryan Southworth, an emergency medicine doctor in Arizona, who recommends a HEPA filter vacuum bag.

[...]

5 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Is it safe to make a DIY mask out of a vacuum bag? Debate erupts (Original Post) sl8 Apr 2020 OP
Link? Some contain fiberglass, not good to inhale uppityperson Apr 2020 #1
Added link to OP n/t sl8 Apr 2020 #2
Empty it first rickford66 Apr 2020 #3
The masks I made have two layers of cloth and I put iemitsu Apr 2020 #4
Someone posted a video of home made HEPA bags a few weeks ago underpants Apr 2020 #5

iemitsu

(3,888 posts)
4. The masks I made have two layers of cloth and I put
Mon Apr 13, 2020, 04:04 PM
Apr 2020

coffee filters in between the layers. I discard the filter after wearing and wash the mask.

underpants

(182,274 posts)
5. Someone posted a video of home made HEPA bags a few weeks ago
Mon Apr 13, 2020, 04:08 PM
Apr 2020

Masks made by an ER doctors wife. Seemed good to me.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Is it safe to make a DIY ...