this post was submitted on 27 Dec 2023
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[–] Zaktor@sopuli.xyz 4 points 10 months ago

This is misinformation. Masks are rated based on 0.3 micron particles because that's the size that's hardest to filter. Smaller particles are actually more likely to be filtered due to how they move.

https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/20459-osha-updates-faqs-to-address-particle-sizes-and-n95s

The “N95” classification means respirator filters remove at least 95% of “very small” particles (around 0.3 microns in diameter) from the air, OSHA explains, adding that some people have claimed incorrectly that the virus is about 0.1 microns in size. Further, when the virus becomes airborne via an infected person talking, coughing or sneezing, those particles contain more than the virus – they also include water or mucus. Those larger particles are too big to pass through an N95 respirator filter, while electrostatic charge attracts the particles to the fibers in the filter.

“In addition, the smallest particles constantly move around (called Brownian motion), and are very likely to hit a filter fiber and stick to it,” the agency states.