Bacterial Filtration Efficiency (BFE) is the efficiency of the medical face mask materials as a barrier to bacterial penetration. The test is required by ASTM F2100 (complies with ASTM F2101-19) and EN 14683:2019+AC.

The principle of the test is that a specimen of the mask material is clamped between a six-stage cascade impactor and an aerosol chamber. An aerosol of Staphylococcus aureus is introduced into the aerosol chamber and drawn through the mask material and the impactor under vacuum. The bacterial filtration efficiency (BFE) of the mask is given by the number of colony-forming units passing through the medical face mask material expressed as a percentage of the number of colony-forming units present in the challenge aerosol.

How SIG can help

SIG Laboratory can perform analysis of Bacterial Filtration Efficiency (BFE) of medical masks. We also ascertain whether the medical mask meets the criteria of ASTM F2100 (complies with ASTM F2101-19) and/or EN 14683:2019+AC.

Method of Analysis

SIG Laboratory performs analysis of Bacterial Filtration Efficiency (BFE) of medical masks by using a BFE tester.