Study Finds Plastic Face Shields Ineffective Against Coronavirus

Simulation using Japanese supercomputer shows droplets escape through the shields

September 28, 2020

As many businesses across the world have opened back up, workers dealing with the public are commonly wearing face shields to protect themselves and those around them from contracting COVID-19. However, a simulation conducted by Riken, a government-based Japanese research center in Kobe, showed they are ineffective at trapping airborne droplets, The Guardian reports.

Riken tested the plastic face shields using Fugaku, dubbed the world’s fastest supercomputer, which found that close to 100% of airborne droplets less than five micrometers in size escaped through the shields. Makoto Tsubokura, Riken’s team leader at the center for computational science, said the Fugaku simulation combined air flow with tens of thousands of droplets of various sizes ranging from one micrometer to several hundred micrometers.

About half of the larger droplets measuring 50 micrometers made their way into the air, according to Riken. Tsubokura said the simulation results showed the limitation that face shields have against coronavirus compared with regular face masks. He recommended that people wear face masks instead. Face shields should only be worn outdoors or in facilities with proper ventilation, he added.

Other Fugaku simulations found that face masks made from nonwoven fabric are more effective against the spread of coronavirus than cotton and polyester. Experts are hoping next year Fugaku can help identify treatments for COVID-19 from about 2,000 existing drugs.

Latest Articles

Best Practices From the EVS Experts
June 25, 2025 Gregory Gardner

Best Practices From the EVS Experts

June 24, 2025

Around-the-Clock Floor Care

June 23, 2025 Sponsored by Tennant

Where AI Meets Clean: Join the X6 ROVR™ Floor Cleaning Revolution

Sponsored Articles

X6 ROVR™ combines advanced AI navigation
June 23, 2025 Sponsored by Tennant

Where AI Meets Clean: Join the X6 ROVR™ Floor Cleaning Revolution

June 17, 2025 Sponsored by Sani Professional

Food Safety Made Simple: A Must-Have for Chefs, Grill Masters, and More!

June 16, 2025

The Future of Facility Care: Integrating Automation & Sustainability

Recent News

Vaccine

Medical Experts Look for Unbiased Vaccine Information

ISSA Nominations Open for the Class of 2025 Emerging Leaders

New COVID-19 Variant Nimbus Arrives in the U.S.