Month: April 2022

All non-woven fabric face mask provide the same level of protection or serve the same situations. Discover the various types of masks here and make a good choice.

Like proper hand hygiene and social distancing, wearing a mask is a key measure to protect against COVID-19. For example, if you are in a closed space with other people or even on the public road. You cannot maintain social distance from other people, you should wear a mask. Its use is mandatory from the age of 10.

How will we know which type of mask has better prevent from virus?

If you are infect with COVID-19 and don't know it yet (you may be asymptomatic). Wearing a non-woven fabric face mask will help prevent you from contaminating others through respiratory droplets. This gesture will also help prevent viruses and other microorganisms from entering your body through your nose or mouth through contact with droplets from other people.

There are several types of protective masks against COVID-19. However, not all are intended for the same people or situations. Discover the different options available and find out which one best suit your case.

FFP2 protective respirators

They are protective non-woven fabric face mask intended for healthcare professionals and are very effective in protecting against respiratory droplets. They have the advantage of protecting both large and smaller droplets.

FFP2 respirators are carefully manufactured in order to seal the face - more precisely the nose and mouth - from contact with the outside. For this, the health professionals who use them carry out several tests to ensure that they choose the model that best suits their face. This service is not available to the general public.

Surgical protective masks

Surgical non-woven fabric face mask are disposable and are commonly used by healthcare professionals during surgery or other medical procedures. However, since the beginning of the pandemic, it is common to see them also on the faces. Those who have pass on the street or in the supermarket.

The materials use in their non-woven fabric face mask can be paper and plastic and are usually blue.

Although not completely fitted to the face, surgical masks are fluid resistant and offer some protection against larger respiratory droplets, e.g. from sneezing and coughing.

This type of mask serves primarily to prevent the person wearing it from infecting other people if they have COVID-19.

Fabric masks / community masks

For people who do not work with the sick (e.g. in hospitals and clinics), cloth masks are the best option.

The multiple layers of fabric used in these protective masks create a barrier between the nose and mouth with the outside. It is containing the respiratory droplets that form during breathing.

One of the great advantages of this type of non-woven fabric face mask is that it can use several times and must be washed between each use. Although they are reusable, the rules of use are the same as for surgical masks. They must replace every 4 hours of continuous use or if they are damp.

Follow the instructions on the packaging about washing, drying, conservation, maintenance and, very importantly. About the number of times the mask can use with guaranteed effectiveness.

How to choose a safe non woven fabric face mask?

When buying, there are some aspects to take into account to ensure that you are making a safe choice, for example, when it comes to its characteristics and composition.

Pay attention to the packaging of your non-woven fabric face mask and look for the seal that indicates that it has been tested by laboratories specifically for this purpose, such as:

• CITEVE (Technological Center for Textile and Clothing Industries)
• Equilibrium
• ISQ (Institute of Welding and Quality)

Masks can have a protection of:

Level 1:intended for use by healthcare professionals.

Level 2:with a minimum filtration of 90% and indicated, for example, for professionals who do not belong to the health area, but who have frequent contact with the public.

A Level 3:non-woven fabric face mask with a minimum of 70% filtration and suitable for less frequent contacts. Its main objective is the promotion of group protection.

Surgical masks must contain the CE marking on the packaging.

Scarves and scarves are not effective

The use of scarves or scarves around the face does not provide the same degree of protection against COVID-19 as a mask. A quality mask has a double or triple layer of a breathable and washable fabric. It prevents the person wearing it from spreading potentially infected droplets into the air.

Do you know that…?

Masks with valves can leak some droplets to the outside of the mask, which is why they are not the best option.

“Can I make my protective mask at home?”

The best way to be sure that the non-woven fabric face masks you are using gives you an adequate and safe level of protection is to opt for lab-tested masks. This does not happen with homemade masks, and they also run the risk of having design problems .They are not adapted to the face, not securely covering the entire mouth and nose or not being tight to the face) and can make breathing difficult.

Some of the homemade masks use filters that offer no guarantees of protection.

Filter masks: yes or no?

Some COVID-19 protective masks include a space where you can place a filter. But the only non-woven fabric face mask suitable for the protection of the new coronavirus that include professional filters are respirators such as FFP2.

Some people use folded coffee filters or vacuum cleaner bags in an attempt to give masks additional protection. However, there is no evidence to prove its effectiveness. Home filters can even make it difficult to breathe while wearing the mask.

Changing filters can also contribute to a greater risk of contagion for two reasons

As well as, by contact with the non-woven fabric face mask, this can have its surface contaminated by SARS-CoV-2. It can lead to people using it for a period of time, longer than recommended.

Rather than focusing on whether or not the mask has a filter. Make sure that it is made with several layers of fabric, fits snugly to your face and covers your nose and mouth completely.

When to use non woven fabric face mask?

Before the pandemic, visors were usually use only by health professionals. Those perform procedures in which they could splash droplets of body fluids, as, for example, in the case of oral hygienists.

People in the general public, who maintain a distance of two meters and wear a non-woven fabric face mask, do not need to wear a visor. These can use to provide extra protection when there is more frequent proximity to other people.

Firstly, the Face Mask Manufacturer has turned our ideas about life upside down and forced us to remember the basic ways to protect our health. During the pandemic, we have learned not only to “manically” treat the cleanliness of hands and door handles, to ventilate the premises endlessly, but even to sew masks from improvised materials.

However, still not everyone knows what is the difference between a mask, a bandage and a respirator? It's time to put an end to this, and at the same time systematize the rules for their selection.

Types: masks, shields, headbands and respirators

The difference between a medical face mask manufacturer and a respirator lies in their purpose. The task of the first is to prevent the contact of mucus and sputum of one person with another.

The second should not allow even the smallest fraction of dust to enter the human body. Based on this, we can conclude that respirators are more reliable defenders against various kinds of particles.

In addition, masks design for short-term use, while respirators often have replaceable filters and can last for years.

Face bandages have become popular

Their main difference from medical masks lies in design, material and wear. As a rule, they are sewn from natural fabrics (cotton) for reusable daily use. The assortment in terms of face mask manufacturer design solutions is very wide: from low-key folk ornaments to full-color printing, for example, muzzles of different animals.

However, in everyday life or even daily medical practice, disposable spun bond masks are enough. I use it for a trip in transport or during a doctor's appointment - and threw it away without any problems!

Mask for the face bandage Face respirator

Separately, we single out protective shields (screens) for the face. Due to the pandemic, supermarket cashiers began to wear them. They are more reliable face mask manufacturer and more comfortable than a respirator.

The main thing is to wash them in time and prevent scratches on the screen itself. When choosing them, you should take into account weight, headband adjustment, screen material, resistance to mechanical stress and, of course, appearance.

What is more effective mask or respirator?

Interesting to know: At one time, scientists from various countries is conducts research to find out what are more effective in the daily work of a doctor - masks or respirators. Their conclusions were unanimous:

Respirators are a little more effective, but if you do not neglect the rules of wearing, then the face mask manufacturer perfectly blocks and reduces the risk of respiratory diseases. Australian researchers went further than others, who decided to understand whether the significance of the mask exaggerate? As part of the experiment, they observed several dozen families.

As a result, it was found that people without a mask are at greater risk, and their chance of catching a respiratory infection is 4 times higher.

Medical masks are usually divided into the following types:

I - characterizes by the fact that they block 95% of the bacteria of the inhaled air, but do not protect against splashes. Such masks recommend exclusively for patients;

II - filter out at least 98% of aerosol droplets. Use by doctors and nurses;

IIR - differ from the previous type by the presence of an additional layer. Masks of this type recommend for surgeons and operating nurses.

Note that during the tests, face mask manufacturer goes through various parameters.

But when testing respirators, a different approach uses. The test subject puts on a sample of the product and performs physical exercises while an aerosol with particle sizes from 400 to 600 nanometers sprays near him. Thus, the degree of filtration and the usability of the respirator check.

Based on the results of experiments, respirators divide into 3 classes:

FFP1 face mask manufacturers offer low efficiency respirator capable of retaining at least 80% of coarse aerosol dust. It uses for protection at 4 MPC (maximum permissible concentration) in construction and woodworking. Well filters out particles of coal, cement, wood and metal sawdust;

FFP2 - medium efficiency class, blocks from 94% of particles. It also filters fine and liquid aerosols (water, oil) with air pollution up to 12 MPC. It applies to filtering of dust of average toxicity, to electric welding, joiner's works with firm wood;

FFP3 face mask manufacturers are high performance respirators capable of retaining at least 99% of particles. Design to operate at 30–50 MPC. Not afraid of toxic and radioactive dust. Capture asbestos and even mold spores.

The main criterion when choosing a face mask manufacturer  

There are even more advanced respirators with an additional layer, for example, coal, which protects against organic vapors and gases in concentrations up to 1 MPC.

For half masks (respirators that cover half the face) there is a classification. It also has a division into 3 types (P1, P2 and P3). In general, they duplicate the characteristics of the respiratory classes, only in the latter the filtering capacity should be even greater and be 99.95%.

It is important to know

Face mask manufacturers allow the maximum allowable concentration of chemicals in the air, which does not harm a person. There are various methods for calculating MPC. The choice of this or that method determines by the environment, the purpose of the calculation and other factors.

Material and design face Masks

Masks are made from fabric (cotton) or non-woven materials (spun bond). The first group uses for everyday masks. From the second, medical ones are made. As a rule, spun bond or melt blown uses for this.

According to some studies, the filtering power of cloth and non-woven masks is comparable. Interestingly, first of all, the degree of protection affects not by the number of layers, but by the density of the fabric. For example, a two-layer gauze bandage will be several times less effective than a thick cotton mask.

Conclusion

The two-layer products of face mask manufacturers (for example, made of cotton and polyester) are most effective, because natural fabric absorbs moisture well, while synthetic fabric has a high degree of filtration.

Due to the pandemic, masks have turned from purely functional protection attributes into designer accessories, because they have become part of everyday “bows”. There are various, including designer, lines and exclusive models.

One of the most popular and stylish solutions is black masks. They use by both men and women.

Today, a protective face mask is a mandatory item, without which it is impossible to visit public places. Depending on the material and degree of protection, masks perform different functions: some reliably protect against infection, others are useful only when in contact with household chemicals, for example, while cleaning the house.

Firstly, to buy a suitable mask, you need to pay attention to its type and degree of protection. I will tell you the main thing about the choice of protective masks.

How are many types of masks?

To protect the respiratory system and prevent the spread of infections that transmit by airborne droplets, WHO recommends the use of medical three-layer masks? They can only be disposable. Medical masks are made of non-woven material, which provides reliable protection and does not impede breathing.

These masks do not protect the people who wear them, but those around them. Doctors use such masks to maintain sterility, and those who are sick, so as not to infect others.

Protective functions of hygienic masks

Hygienic protective face mask are made from cotton, gauze, neoprene and other materials - these are reusable products that have a favorable price compared to disposable ones. If you follow the rules of use, they can become an alternative to disposable masks. This confirms by medical studies, the purpose of which is to compare the effectiveness of medical and hygienic masks.

The data showed that under laboratory conditions, the throughput of hygienic masks is worse than that of medical ones.

 This ability is also influenced by environmental factors. For example, moisture greatly reduces the protective functions of hygienic masks.

Medical masks has a high degree of protection

Doctors work at the epicenter of the infection use respirators and disposable medical protective face mask with a high degree of protection. The filter material of medical masks does not pass micro particles up to 1.3 microns in size.

This is enough to prevent most viruses from entering the body. Such masks protect both the person and those around them, but they have a significant disadvantage: they make it difficult to breathe.

Respirators can be good to use not only by doctors, but also by everyone who comes into contact with sick people. They protect both the wearer and those around them. But for walking and visiting public places, it is better to use medical masks - they are more convenient and also provide reliable protection.

Degree of protection

Each protective face mask must comply with certain standards and regulations. Medical products must have a quality certificate; in addition, they must comply with GOST.

Medical masks test before they go on sale. The main criterion is filtering. According to European standards, the following protection classes distinguish: EFB1 - filtering more than 95% and EFB2 - filtering more than 98%.

Each protective face mask and respirators, including reusable ones, test for inhalation. A mask considers being of high quality if it filters and prevents aerosols from entering the face. These products have three protection classes: FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3.

FFP1 is a low level of protection and filtering

It will protect 80% or more percent from getting an aerosol on your face and it will be able to filter out no more than 20–22%.

The minimum protection against micro particles on the face in the FFP2 class is 94% and higher. Through such a mask or respirator, no more than 8% of microbes will penetrate inside. Masks with this degree of protection can be good to use to protect against infection with infectious diseases.

FFP3 masks has the most reliable protection

FFP3 are protective face mask and respirators with the most reliable protection. Their filtration is at least 99%, and leakage inside is a maximum of 2%. Such masks and respirators are good to use by medical workers who are at the epicenter of the infection.

To protect against infection, especially in public places, WHO and the Ministry of Health recommend the use of three-layer masks.

If contact with sick people is likely, it is necessary to use masks with a high level of protection - FFP3.

Reusable sheet masks

Reusable cloth masks are almost useless in the fight against viruses. You need to use them during cleaning, in contact with cleaning powders or aerosols. Such masks will reliably protect against the penetration of suspensions and aerosols into the respiratory tract.

They are made from gauze, cotton, neoprene and similar materials. Not all reusable protective face masks have the same degree of protection. It all depends on the material from which they were made, and the number of layers of fabric - they can be from two to six.

Fabric masks cannot call medical. They can only protect when combined with other measures: social distancing, frequent hand washing and the use of sanitizers.

Medical masks are much more effective, they do not pass the infection.

Filters in masks

You can increase the effectiveness of a protective face reusable mask using replaceable filters that insert into its inner part. In total there are three main types of filters: three-layer, carbon and anti-aerosol. Each filter has its own indications and features of use.

Three-layer filters are made of non-woven material, more often composite - SMS.

S - Spun bond. This is a composite consisting of polypropylene fibers. And the task of this layer is not to allow biologically active liquids and chemicals to pass through. It has high antibacterial properties.

M - Melt blown. It plays the role of an adsorbent, that is, it does not allow dust, microorganisms, and allergens to pass through.

Features of the material and three layers trap bacteria, reliably protect against aerosols

There are about five additional layers in carbon filters protective face mask for a high level of protection. The first layer filters dust, the second protects against industrial pollution, exhaust gases, allergens and tobacco smoke.

The third layer activates carbon, which filters micron dust and provides full protection against small particles, including viruses.

The fourth layer is responsible for the density of the filter, and the fifth filters out harmful substances.

Rules for wearing and using medical masks

The main rule of wearing any protective face mask: it should fit snugly on the cheeks, chin and bridge of the nose, cover the nose, mouth and protect the chin.

Ordinary three-layer medical masks can be worn for no more than two hours, with a higher degree of protection - from six to eight hours. After this time, the mask becomes a hotbed of micro flora, because it saturates with moisture. These masks cannot wash, they must dispose of.