The Best Filters for Your Face Mask, According to Medical Experts

As new COVID-19 strains continue tospread, wearing a mask with a filtercan provide you with extra security.A face mask filter's purpose is totrap microscopic particles that mayordinarily pass through a mask madeof cotton, linen, or other materials, Dr. Curtis White, PhD.PM 2.5 filters are composed ofnanofibers designed to filterparticles down to 2.5 microns.Since increased humidity can decreasethe efficiency of a filter, you may optfor hydrophobic polypropylene filters.Commonly used in air purifiers,fiberglass-free HEPA filters can trapeverything from pet dander to viruses.If creating your own mask, combine twodifferent fabrics, like silk and cotton-flannel.Masks with a built-in filter, such as an N95,offer the most protection due to the addedlayer of protection that the filter provides