Combined Effects of Masking and Distance on Aerosol Exposure Potential

Objective To quantify the efficacy of masking and “social distancing” on the transmission of airborne particles from a phantom aerosol source (simulating an infected individual) to a nearby target (simulating a healthy bystander) in a well-controlled setting. Methods An aerosol was created using monodisperse polystyrene latex beads in place of infectious respiratory secretions. Detection was by aerodynamic particle spectrometry. Both reusable...