This has become an incredible circular discussion that I believe will be never ending.

If you are doing lab work that requires a respirator, use the correct respirator. If you are doing lab work that does not require a respirator (e.g., in a hood), then use common sense. If a face covering is more of a risk than not wearing a face covering (e.g., flammability, corrosivity, vision, etc.) than do not use a face covering and just maintain a 6 foot separation from other persons. If you cannot and the face covering will not work, use a face shield. Before my colleague and friend, Monna, admonishes me--..if you have access to an N-95 or better, use that. It has become pretty clear that the vast majority of cases are from person to person contact and the likelihood of a younger person suffering severe consequences is very small. Consider the overall risk of wearing a face covering versus not wearing a face covering given the lab work. I do not think there is a universal solution for all circumstances nor a universal material that can be used in all circumstances.

That's my non-CDC sanctioned opinion.

Zack

S.Z. Mansdorf, PhD, CIH, CSP, QEP

Consultant in EHS and Sustainability

7184 Via Palomar

Boca Raton, FL 33433

561-212-7288

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 2:13 PM
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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--- For more information about the DCHAS-L e-mail list, contact the Divisional membership chair at membership**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org Follow us on Twitter **At_Symbol_Here**acsdchas