Bulwark is marketing an FR face covering.  They are expensive and expected to be washed by the wearer.  I'm not recommending FR face coverings, any more than I recommend an FR head covering for those who wear a head covering for religious or cultural reasons.

 

I am, though, recommending natural fibers as much as possible which is similar to guidance for proper lab attire, under a lab coat.  Personally, I'm wearing a two layer face covering, made from close-woven cotton fabric.  Easily laundered and comfortable to wear all day, if need be. Managing fogged up safety eyewear is another conversation.

 

I've heard some chatter about substituting a face shield - either a medical/animal care style or an impact-resistant face shield - for a cloth face covering.  Thoughts on that option?  I haven't seen research on effectiveness, just some anecdotes.

 

My $0.02.  Your mileage may vary.

 

Debbie M. Decker, CCHO, ACS Fellow

Past Chair, Division of Chemical Health and Safety

Councilor and Programming Co-Chair

University of California, Davis

(530)754-7964

(530)304-6728

dmdecker**At_Symbol_Here**ucdavis.edu

 

Birkett's hypothesis: "Any chemical reaction

that proceeds smoothly under normal conditions,

can proceed violently in the presence of an idiot."

 

From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU> On Behalf Of Patricia Redden
Sent: Thursday, June 4, 2020 11:13 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] cloth face masks

 

CDC is recommending the use of cloth face mask in academic institutions, but the question is what is the best fabric for them.  Lab coats in academic labs are supposed to be chemical- and fire-resistant.  Does this apply to face masks as well?  If so, is there a source for them?

 

Patricia Redden, Ph.D.

Professor, Chemistry Department

Fellow, American Chemical Society

Fellow, ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety

 

SAINT PETER'S UNIVERSITY

The Jesuit University of New Jersey

2641 John F. Kennedy Boulevard

Jersey City, New Jersey 07306

p: (201)761-6440    

f:  (201)761-6431

www.saintpeters.edu

 Named #1 in the nation for transformation in 2018 by the American Council on Education/Fidelity Investments  

 

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