Is it safe to stick a hole in your mask so you can take a drink? Testing the SIP drinking valve

Рет қаралды 7,586

Жыл бұрын

The SIP Airtight Drinking Valve looks like yet another useless mask gimmick, especially when they show it on a leaky surgical mask. But could it really work?
I'm a bit late to the party in testing this valve. Amanda Hu and Barry Hunt on Twitter have tested the valve and are happy with it. So I decided to go a step further and compare using the SIP valve in your N95 mask to drink using a straw to just putting a straw under your mask to take a drink, testing with a PortaCount mask fit testing machine. Is the SIP valve really better at keeping respirator-grade masks like N95s from leaking?
And, at the end in an extended dance-remix length bonus round for mask nerds such as myself, I torture tested the SIP valve with 100 insertions of the supplied small diameter straws, and then 100 insertions with regular-sized bendy straws and tested with the PortaCount machine.
The key to understanding the test results numbers is that they are a "Fit Factor", which is how much cleaner the air is inside the mask than outside. If there was a concentration of 100 particles/cc outside the mask and 1 inside, that would be a fit factor of 100. 100 is the fit score required to pass an OSHA mask fit test. Higher numbers are better.
The tests:
2:30 Stock 3M Aura control - FF 382
4:50 SIP Valve closed - FF 332
5:45 SIP Valve drinking with the supplied small straw - FF 34
8:04 SIP Valve with a plugged small straw inserted in the valve #1 - FF 105 (I think the mask was leaking a bit at the nose bridge)
8:28 SIP Valve with a plugged small straw inserted in the valve #2 - FF 230
9:14 Drinking using a bendy straw under the mask - FF 4.6
13:32 SIP Valve - After 100 Small Straw Insertions - FF 209
14:12 SIP Valve - After 100 Small Straw Insertions + Cap - FF 387
13:45 SIP Valve - After 100 Small Straw Insertions #2 - FF 433
15:30 SIP Valve - After 100 Small + Large 100 Straw Insertions - FF 213
16:45 SIP Valve - After 100 Small + Large 100 Straw Insertions + Cap #1 - FF 331
17:00 SIP Valve - After 100 Small + Large 100 Straw Insertions #2 - 238
17:14 SIP Valve - After 100 Small + Large 100 Straw Insertions + Cap #2 - 400
17:27 SIP Valve - After 100 Small + Large 100 Straw Insertions #3 - 320
If it works, the SIP valve could be a good way to be able to stay hydrated on long trips while still minimizing risk. I tried to give some good approximations of real-world use in my testing.
There was some variability in the test results in high scores between around 200-400 I'm not really sure what that was about. All of those scores were good, passing scores, and sometimes just how the mask fits on your face can affect the fit factor between tests. The difference between a fit factor of 200 and a fit factor of 400 is a 1/4 of a percent leakage, so it's pretty easy to fluctuate that much.
The SIP airtight drinking valve works in any kind of filtering facepiece respirator (FFR) such as an N95, KF94, KN95, FFP2, etc., but you'll get the most benefit from it if you use a mask that fits really well. N95s have headbands, which can help them fit better than earlobe respirators. But either way, good fit is the key to getting the most from your respirator-grade mask.
This is the official SIP site:
sipmask.com/
Keep in mind that if you alter an N95 mask it will no longer meet NIOSH or OSHA requirements. Installing a SIP valve, or even just tying knots in the headbands to tighten them for better fit, negates the N95's certification and the mask can no longer be used to meet OSHA requirements for mandatory respirator usage at work. It is totally legal to modify your mask however you want for your own use outside of required use in a workplace, but the modifications could make your mask work better or worse, and you might not know which without testing.
www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/resou...

Пікірлер: 63

@DonnaAndCats Жыл бұрын

This was so valuable. Thank you! We just got this product and I feel pretty confident about using it now. Especially since you did some "real world" testing.

@yodhi Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for doing this test. It answered all of the questions that I had in my head. Well done!

@MakuLabs Жыл бұрын

Thanks for detailed testing!

@Robert-sq7bp Жыл бұрын

Very good to have some hard data on how valid these things are! Important to note that the instructions very prominently say that the straw should never in the mask without being also in the liquid. It makes sense, if you put the straw in the mask before the liquid that's just completely bypassing the filter where if it's in the liquid first no air's making it through the straw.

@gerardhughes Жыл бұрын

I haven't checked the before and after to see all of the changes, however they revised their instructions after I published this video to help clarify best practices.

@Robert-sq7bp Жыл бұрын

@@gerardhughes Ah great news, ty

@jkdinh 7 ай бұрын

@@gerardhughes Thank you SO MUCH for this video! I was wondering the same thing as Robert about having the straw in the liquid prior to inserting it into the valve. And I see that you did not have those instructions at the time of this video! Do you think we can assume that the score of 34 might increase if the straw was in the liquid prior to insertion into the valve? I know we can’t be sure…but what do you think?

@grw110 Жыл бұрын

Great job!

@EddiePhanichkul Жыл бұрын

This is great! Thanks for sharing this video!

@adriennestark5198 8 ай бұрын

What a great review! Thank you!

@KM-xq2xr 10 ай бұрын

Holy smokes. This was an amazing test. Thank you so much for doing it!

@kthomas7578 Жыл бұрын

Thank you. This answers all my questions!

@pegaseg70 Жыл бұрын

Now that's some throurough testing Thank you very much

@JC-mj3tc Жыл бұрын

Thank you Sir! I am considering buying one and it is great to see independent testing

@cassmacdonald-perfectlyimp2486 20 күн бұрын

This is really good. I do note from the packaging that there are fairly specific instructions on how to drink (while using the straw) to prevent the risk of breathing contaminated air during use. I think they suggest you keep the straw cleaning edge clean and put the straw into the drink then breathe out, forcing any air in the straw into the drink before then drinking. I imagine this is a complicated technique to adapt to! I also consider that the drinking edge of the straw needs to be kept clean before using it every time. This is reassuring though. Thank you

@gerardhughes 20 күн бұрын

@@cassmacdonald-perfectlyimp2486 Thanks. This video has been out for a while, and they have since updated their instructions with best practices advice.

@cassmacdonald-perfectlyimp2486 19 күн бұрын

@@gerardhughes yeah, I thought that was the case! Got mine about six months ago, though have not had cause to use them (haven’t travelled or spent sufficient time out of the home to warrant it). Apologies!

@jkdinh 7 ай бұрын

I just can’t thank you enough for this. This may allow me to join a very small family gathering. With my 3M Aura of course! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

@1stPrivateAccount 11 ай бұрын

Thank you.

@beatrizklimeck879 Жыл бұрын

Hi Gerald! Thank you so much for this video and for providing information for us to be safer. I'll be flying for 18-20 hours and this will help me a lot

@WE__BTS 5 ай бұрын

Did it work or did you get sick?

@IMzz12 7 ай бұрын

Thanks!!!

@hoggif Жыл бұрын

Thanks! That answered all the questions I had in mind about those type of products. I still wonder how to avoid contaminating the straw, like if it won't go in right or if hands get contaminated from the front surface of mask. It is also difficult to inspect when it is on. but if the draw gets very loose, it probably leaks a lot and there is always the cap. I've been in situations where something like that would have been very useful when the other choice was not to drink and I was thinking of perhaps making something like that myself (or ordering some ready made).

@gerardhughes Жыл бұрын

If you want to inspect the valve while still wearing the mask, there is a wide variety of inexpensive video ear cleaning devices that can be had for about $20 that are just an inspection camera with a little scoop attached to the end. If you get one that you can take the scoop off of, not all of them are removable, you have a little wireless video camera that feeds video to your cell phone, that's designed for close up images.

@mindstalk Жыл бұрын

Thank you! I would have liked to see if drinking with a thicker straw would make much difference.

@gerardhughes 9 ай бұрын

I've been meaning to make a video that's kind of the opposite of this one. This one was a torture test designed to see how ordinary use might work. But I would like to do a video on what happens when you do absolute best practices. And using a larger straw and checking its leak rate is one of those things that may reduce inward leakage into the mask.

@toongurl 7 ай бұрын

This is such good information. Thank you for making this video. Would you ever test with the Gerson 3230 N95? I find that the duck masks have great seals but I'm worried about its odd shape when it comes to valves.

@gerardhughes 7 ай бұрын

Unfortunately, I'm not one of the people that fits the Gersons well. So it's not one that I can effectively test with the sip valve. It seems plausible that you could put it on the lower half an angle of straw up towards your mouth effectively. At some point I made test that with a 3M V flex, which is the only duck bill type mask that does fit me that I've tried so far.

@TheRenwmn Жыл бұрын

Would you be willing to do a test where you were more careful about not sucking in air and using the straw quickly? I'd be very interested to see what the numbers were then. Thank you so much for this!

@gerardhughes Жыл бұрын

Absolutely. This video was me checking how I thought the SIP valve might be used in the real world by an average person. I do plan on doing a follow-up attempting best practices. The limitation of that follow-up is that the mass testing machine can only test leaks that go into the mask. Any air that goes directly through the straw into your mouth bypasses the mask entirely and cannot be accounted for by the mask fit testing machine. So what I can test is how much leakage there is getting around the straw, with and without breathing normally while the straw is inserted but not in my mouth, or while breathing through my nose.

@TheRenwmn Жыл бұрын

@@gerardhughes Thanks! I was really dubious when I first saw the sip valve. I'm so glad you did the testing. It is apparent that it is better than moving a mask to use a straw. I'm really curious what happens with best practices as you mentioned. My partner and I are high risk and began isolating though this pandemic is stretching on. We need good data to be able to access risk. I really appreciate anyone who takes their time and energy to provide it. Thank you!

@gerardhughes Жыл бұрын

@@TheRenwmn Best practices may be mostly not breathing in while a straw is inserted. I did breathe in during this current test because I wanted to know how much leakage there is around the straw when it is inserted. One of the SIP valve guys suggested taking the straw out between breaths would be their suggestion. I need to try it . It might be better, or having to fuss with the straw every time might be worse. Only testing can give me an objective answer.

@josephin2834 Жыл бұрын

@@gerardhughes wouldn't best practice be to blow out air through the straw :)? you might make some bubbles in your drink though ;)

@spencerhunter1596 Жыл бұрын

So nice to find another empirical tester in KZfaq land! Perhaps you could give me an informed opinion of one of my own practices on a plane or at a restaurant: I hand-hold a GATA cup respirator over my face to breathe, and remove only to drink or eat (without breathing). Would that probably be the same protection as when you lifted the mask to take a drink here? There are other mask-hacks I’d love to see you test, but your opinion on this one would be great, thanks!

@gerardhughes Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comment. When I lifted the mask up the test measured the concentration of particles that got in the mask compared to the ambient air, but doesn't necessarily measure how many I inhaled if I was holding my breath and subsequently exhaled to purge the mask (which I did not do for that test). When you take the mask entirely off that number would be 100% of the concentration of the ambient air. Testing the efficacy of removing the mask to eat is difficult, and not possible with my current testing configuration. The mask sample is hose would continue to suck in air when you removed the mask and would be sampling unfiltered air, even though you would be holding your breath - the quantitative mask fit testing set up assumes any air inside the mask is air you are breathing. When I lifted the mask up the test measured the concentration of particles that got in the mask compared to the ambient air. When you take the mask entirely off that number would be 100% of the concentration of the ambient air. There are similar issues for qualitative taste test mask fit testing where the mask fails the test if you can taste the aerosol challenge agent in the air - and you would as soon as you took off your mask, even though you aren't inhaling. Mask fit testing uses proxies to try to estimate what you are actually inhaling, but that is confounded when you aren't inhaling, but are exposed in a way that tests positive for the testing methodology There are some advanced tests where subjects wearing elastomeric masks are put in a room with that has a gas added that can be detected in blood samples - and that is a sign that you actually inhaled the test gas rather than just had your mask off causing a false positive. I'd think your method would reduce your exposure, but it is hard to quantify. The military teaches soldiers to hold their breath if they have to unmask, then to exhale to purge the mask once donned again. That strategy may not be practical when you are eating, but it may further reduce your exposure when possible.

@spencerhunter1596 Жыл бұрын

@@gerardhughes Yes, I practice the “purge exhalation.” Fantastic answer; thanks so much for the time!

@KatikaCreations 10 ай бұрын

Sorry if this question is answered in the video, or if someone has already asked this... But can you re-install a SIP valve in a new mask, or do you need a new valve every time you install it in a mask?

@gerardhughes 10 ай бұрын

Yes, you can totally transfer the SIP valve to new masks. I believe they officially say you can do it 10 times. That's their cautious estimate. You might be able to do it more than that. The valves are a pretty thick, robust piece of silicone, so it feels pretty reasonable to say that they can be reused.

@joshuaremba8261 Күн бұрын

Thanks for doing this testing! Sorry if I missed it - did you try any of these tests after washing the valve in the dishwasher and installing in a new mask, as the website says you can do ~10 times?

@gerardhughes Күн бұрын

@@joshuaremba8261 Thanks for the question. I have not done a longer term test yet. I was just looking at some of my sip valves from this test with a microscope, and found a lot of debris on the valve that could possibly interfere with the performance if it gets in between the different flaps propping it open. So I think your suggestion of washing the valve is a good one, that people should visually inspect the valve with a magnifying glass or digital microscope, the one I used happened to be around $22. Very inexpensive what it does.

@joshuaremba8261 Күн бұрын

@@gerardhughes I'm wondering about things like it warping slightly with washing, in addition to everything else.

@blegghhh Жыл бұрын

thought you were gonna put the regular sized straw through the sip valve not under the mask.... and you can definitely put the cap on without breaking the seal on your mask

@gerardhughes Жыл бұрын

Later in the video I use the full size straw as part of the torture test on the valve because I assume some people are going to ignore the recommendation to use the small size straws that are included. However, I used small size straws for the fit test because those are the straws that sip mask recommend for use with the SIP valve. I did test straws through the valve, as well as under merely for comparison. Because people who don't have a sip valve are going to be tempted to use a straw under the mask, so I think it's something that people should have a comparison for.

@helenebradley 7 ай бұрын

Thanks for this review! I'm still a little unsure about these. Doesn't a fit factor of 34 when using the supplied straw mean that it fails the fit test, if 100 is a required to pass? I understand that it's better than something that fails even more, but... 😅 I would have liked to see a few different attempts with the supplied straw, just in case something went wrong that time. Or what the score is if you take a lot of care not to suck air through the straw etc. Good to know that the valve itself doesn't mess with the fit factor of the respirator too much anyway!

@gerardhughes Ай бұрын

In this video, I'm using a full range PortaCount test that calculates total inward leakage, which includes filter penetration as well as seal leakage - it's sometimes called "N99 Mode", for use with filters that are N99 or better. An N95 is allowed to have up to 5% filter penetration of the most penetrating particle size at 85 liters per minute of air flow, so this kind of test doesn't tell me how much of the total inward leakage is allowable filter penetration (up to 5%) vs. allowable seal leakage (up to 1%). So, using this machine a legit N95 with a perfect seal could still score below a fit factor of 100. There is a separate mode that some PortaCounts have called "N95 Companion" that only tests negatively charged particles, which are easily captured by the filter media and don't penetrate, so if they are inside the mask they got in around the seal. In that case, you know a fit factor below 100 indicates a failing seal leakage.

@helenebradley Ай бұрын

@@gerardhughes I see! Thank you, that makes sense.

@RollEXE Жыл бұрын

I wonder how one can cut a precise hole in the 3M 1860S as it's the only mask I passed a fit test for. Since you can't fold it without compromising the integrity of the mask, you'll have to figure out another way! Really considering getting one even though the currency rate against the USD for my currency is turd and it costs almost double, not to mention the shipping... but it might make my office days so much more bearble, and maybe I can even consider longer plane trips that aren't just domestic?

@RollEXE Жыл бұрын

Also to note, I can't lift my mask up like this good sir is doing to sip through a straw, as it's cup shaped and won't let me move it that way on my face!! So it's either don't drink at all, or drink/eat only when outside. And thank you very much for this informative video review/testing!!

@gerardhughes Жыл бұрын

I don't know if you would actually damage the mask by folding it to make the cut, but it's a good question and one that could be tested with the fit testing machine. It's possible that the filter media could be damaged, it's also possible that the fit could be affected. Or not. That's the beauty of using the machine for objective data. At some point I plan on doing my next test cutting a neater hole, and I plan on using one of my leather punches to do so, I'm hoping I have the right diameter in my set of punches to do so, but I haven't used them in a while and I don't remember all the sizes that I have. If I do have the right size I'll just place the mask over a thick piece of leather inside facing up, put the punch over the area where the hole needs to go and give it a few taps with a mallet to punch the hole. It would also be possible to cut a hole with an exacto knife, but perhaps a bit difficult to make a clean cut, I haven't tried doing so yet. The valves do go on sale occasionally, to make them a bit more affordable even if the shipping cost will remain the same. I would order more than one since it would be so expensive to reorder a single one again if you need a replacement. Although, admittedly, I bought a single when I bought mine. But shipping wasn't quite as prohibitive in my case since I am in the US.

@RollEXE Жыл бұрын

@@gerardhughes A leather puncher is a good idea! I will have a dig in my craft box and see if my punches will work on some ready-to-retire 1860Ss. And thank you for the tip about the occassional sale. I will keep an eye out.

@RollEXE Жыл бұрын

Also another point that just occured to me, since the 1860S is a cup shape, would you need to insert the SIP in a flatter area of the mask, (i.e. not the centre but perhaps closer to the chin), instead on an area with a more prominent curve? Would that affect the seal? 🤔

@gerardhughes Жыл бұрын

Don't know about location. The apex might be the most symmetrical place to put it. Location on cup style masks could be another thing to test.

@vasilis5989 Жыл бұрын

Nice one. Do you think you would pass a fi test with a mask that failed ,just by wearing safety goggles?I mean goggles with straps and elastomeric inside it,such as the uvex ultrasonic orange 9302245 .For example,goggles and the bnx tri-fold N95 that failed on your face.

@gerardhughes Жыл бұрын

I think your comment is meant to apply to a different video than my SIP valve video. If you are asking about the 3M with a broken strap, the answer is I don't know. I think it would help if the top strap was the broken one. But I don't know how much. If I ever get a set of uvex goggles, I can add it to my list of things to test.

@vasilis5989 Жыл бұрын

@@gerardhughes Yes,the reference is for another video .I meant the video with the BNX black N95 that you got a low score in the portacount.I wonder if any safety goggles that seal well your eyes and the upper part of your mask would increase the fit factor.

@gerardhughes Жыл бұрын

@@vasilis5989 Ah, in that case yes I absolutely think anything pressing down would help provide a better seal would help. That is how a mask fitter works, such as the Fix the Mask mask fitter. But I'm not sure how much of the nose bridge and the upper part of the mask the goggles would cover. I would turn to a Fix the Mask mask fitter as my first choice to try to make the mask fit better. I don't know how much or how well the uvax goggles would overlap with the mask.

@djjonnytravieso4681 9 ай бұрын

Where can I get one of those machines? I need to test various respirators with beards.

@gerardhughes 9 ай бұрын

You can find them on eBay, but it is a little bit tricky because these are surplus devices that are no longer repaired by the manufacturer. The laser diode in the machine has a limited lifespan and there is no error message on the machine when the diode is dead. So some of them don't count particles, and it can be tricky to tell whether or not that's because it's clogged or because the laser diode is dead. If the laser diode is dead, the machine is non-repaiable. So buying these off of eBay is a bit of a risk, although many people have had mostly good luck. But the last one I bought was dead and non-reparable. The other tricky thing is that you need to get the machine to come with all the accessories necessary to operate it. So you should download the manual on the TSI portacount 8020A to learn about its operation and what's necessary because none of the eBay listings are itemized. You have to learn to tell the items from the photos and the listings. You'll need a working portacount 8020. An alcohol fill capsule Alcohol cartridge. Alcohol wick Storage cap Twin tube Power supply Zero filter Additionally, depending on what kind of masks you're testing, you'll need adapters to fit the sampling tube to the mask. For N95s and other filtering face piece respirators, you'll need the flanges and speed nuts that TSI calls probes, as well as a set of installer tools. It's possible to improvise the installer tools with an all of the correct size and a hole in a block of water plastic. The whole needs to be wide enough to let the speed nut fingers spread. If you're testing elastomeric masks, there are different ways of testing them including adapters that fit in between the filter and mask, which can be expensive. It's also possible to punch a hole in a mask and put a probe into it. This is sometimes more cost effective than buying the expensive adapter. And some gas masks have drink tubes which can be used as a sampling port with the appropriate adapters. New top of the line machines by TSI cost around $18,000. You can also buy competing new machines from AccuFit. Also, keep an eye on Aaron Collins OpenAeros, which is currently designing an open source particle counter for maskfits testing which should cost less than current commercial mask fit testing machines.

@JonnyTravieso 9 ай бұрын

Ouch. I think a rental or a loaner will be a better option than an outright purchase. I’m curious what the efficacy would be with different facial hair conditions. I’ve read at least one study claiming between 3-12% leakage, which I don’t think is all that terrible in a non clinical, well ventilated, setting. There’s a few anti-masking “industrial hygienists” that swear that

@gerardhughes 9 ай бұрын

@@JonnyTravieso Many industrial hygienists don't seem to be able think outside of the OSHA regulatory box, especially when it comes to the difference between the general public who need protection for situations they are going to be in anyways, where any protection is an improvement. You don't need a mask fit testing machine to do SpO2 level demos. CO2 level demos are hard, though. The type of device that can do capanography readouts is expensive and CO2 levels vary during the respiratory cycle, so you need a high sampling frequency - and there can be some C02 retention with various respirators, but not enough to be clinically significant, and certainly not enough to be more risky than Covid - hospitals never filled up with people sick from wearing respirators, they filled up with Covid patients. So the risk benefit ratio is pretty much 100% in favor of respirators. But there is still some nuance, and anti-maskers don't do nuance. As to virus particle being too small, N95s filter viruses even better than they do the NaCl particles used to test them, as the study I cite in this tweet notes: twitter.com/ghhughes/status/1712270485508215156 I continue to be baffled that some people think scientists never thought to test for viral filtration efficiency. Even some industrial hygienists don't get that not only did scientists study it, there is even an international standard for testing mask filter media with actual virus particles, called "VFE". I do think that facial hair and fit is going to vary from person to person and mask to mask since fit is very individual, and facial hair can vary radically from person to person.

@ihiroe Жыл бұрын

Can you do this on elastomerics

@gerardhughes Жыл бұрын

Without testing individual masks and filter combinations, I can only speculate. I see a couple of potential issues that would make the application on an elastomeric different than on a filtering face piece respirator like an N95. One issue is that elastomeric mask bodies are often harder plastic with a softer over mold of thermoplastic or silicone for the face seal, which makes the mask design complex. There may not be a place on the mask that is smooth, and thin enough to fit the SIPValve on to. I think you might be able to put it on the ElastoMaskPro, but even though that silicone mask body is all one piece and very smooth, it's also much thicker than an N95 filtering face piece respirator. So I don't know If it would work with the retaining ring that comes with these SIP valve. And I'm not sure where you could fit it on other elastomeric respirators. Another potential issue is the higher breathing resistance of elastomeric respirators when they are fitted with p100 filters. I did not have any leaks with the SIP valve that I could detect, but that was at the low pressure levels of the 3M aura. Filters with a higher pressure drop, such as 3M 7093 p100 filters, might cause the SIP valve to leak. Or they might not. I don't know. That's what testing is for. But I wouldn't assume that it works without confirming with testing. Full face military respirators often come with drinking tubes. I've never seen that on a half mask. But I do wonder if there might be some way to Frankenstein a mask together using the drinking tube from a military mask on a civilian half mask.

@ihiroe Жыл бұрын

@@gerardhughes Thank you for such a detailed reply!