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[Reporter] Masks and the way we think of them
have come a long way.
We were told early on
they're mostly for protecting others.
Because it prevents you from breathing or
speaking uh moistly on them.
What a terrible image.
[Reporter] Remember that?
A lot's changed in a year
and now more contagious, potentially more dangerous variants
have some asking is it time for an upgrade?
To rely on our masks, not just as a way of protecting others
but ourselves too.
What are we looking at here?
What is this?
So this is a commercially available quantitative fit tester for respirators.
[Reporter] To find out we went to the University of Toronto's Dalla Lana School of Public Health
where Paul Bozek can measure just how well a mask works.
This measures what exactly?
There are two hoses attached here.
One is measuring the dust or the ambient particles on the inside of the mask.
The other one is measuring the particles on the outside of the mask.
[Reporter] Now all of these masks except for the pink cloth mask
have already been tested to show the material filters out at least 95 percent of airborne particles.
So what we're focusing on today
is what difference the fit can make.
So I have to insert a probe through that.
[Reporter] We start with a standard three-ply surgical mask.
So now if you put that on
we'll be able to tell you what level of protection you're getting.
So I'm breathing normally right now.
What does this tell us?
This is telling us you're getting a fit factor of two.
Is that good or bad?
That's bad.
To get an N95 to pass on this kind of a test
you need a fit factor of 100.
With your fit factor of two
you're only stopping about half the particles.
But what are you telling me?
That this isn't protecting me?
This is not meant to protect you.
This is meant to protect me.
[Reporter] And that could be a problem.
Scientists have been sounding the alarm over a growing body of evidence
suggesting this coronavirus is airborne
and some governments have made changes accordingly.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control now recommends
putting a second cloth mask on top of a surgical mask
to tighten the fit.
So I'll take this off
and I'll put this on, thank you.
[Reporter] We decided to try that out as well.
The more layers you have the harder it is to breathe.
Here you're getting somewhere between 80 and 85 percent of the particles
actually being stopped.
[Reporter] A bit better
but there's still room for improvement.
So next, we move on to a mask that more closely resembles the n95.
So this one is a KN95.
That means it satisfies the requirements of the Chinese standard.
There might be a few loose spots here
but that's because of the shape of your face
but as you're moving your face around
you can see the number keeps dropping
going below 100.
[Reporter] And when I lean forward
just watch as the dial heads into the red.
The other thing is the ear loops don't necessarily hold it as tight as the straps on an N95.
You can get good protection
but it doesn't guarantee that it's going to always protect you.
Right.
You have to worry about the fit.
Shaping it every time.
for that reason this earloop style isn't for medical use but it did block 98 per cent of particles
when the fit wasn't compromised.
This one is a Canadian-made N95.
Okay well let's give it a whirl.
[Reporter] And finally the last one we check out an N95 with a double headband.
[Bozek] One has to go under your ear and that one yes that one stays on top.
[Reporter] Those straps help keep a tight seal.
[Bozek] Okay side to side so go to the right and hold it there
[Repoter] And on my face this one fit best but it just goes to show you it's going to vary for everyone.
Up, take a couple of breaths and then down take a couple of breaths.
[Reporter] Now, the style of mask and the level of protection you choose that's up to you but
if you do decide to upgrade a couple things to keep in mind.
First, nothing is a hundred percent so it's still important to follow public health guidelines, physical distancing, that sort of thing.
But the other thing is look for a mask that has been authorized either by Health Canada
or the FDA in the United States both have searchable lists that you can find online.
Health Canada and the U.S Centers for Disease Control also have lists of masks that have been recalled or found to be counterfeit.
Because the consequence of picking up a counterfeit is that the protective quality would be what?
I know we've tested mass that have been been well below 60 per cent for example
when they've been supposedly certified to be above 95 percent.
In your everyday life do you wear an N95 quality mask?
I wear a KN95 because of the convenience of putting it on and off
and I'm presuming that between the other measures I'm taking the public health measures that I'm protecting myself adequately.
You don't think this is good enough?
Oh no, I wouldn't wear that on its own no.