According to a study held by WHO (World Health
Organization), professionals found that face masks were strongly protective
against coronavirus. In this study, the data showed that people who always wore
a face mask when going out had a risk reduction of 70% for infecting
coronavirus. During the COVID-19 pandemic, CDC (the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention) and WHO (World Health Organization) strongly recommend people
to wear different types of face masks that cover their mouths and noses while
they’re out.
However, when confronted with different types of face masks,
people are puzzled because they don’t know which is the most suitable one to
protect them against coronavirus. Thus, this article will guide you in
clarifying the effectiveness of different types of face masks.
The Different Types of Face Masks
The WHO and CDC approve the public to different types of
face masks mainly include the following:
Cloth Face Mask
A cloth face mask is a type of mask made of common textiles,
usually cotton, worn over the mouth and nose. Though cloth face masks are less
effective than other different types of face masks, the CDC suggests people
should consider wearing them for personal protection if there are no other
types of face masks. According to statistics, if the fabric combination of
cloth face masks is used appropriately, the filter efficiency can reach up to
80% with particles less than 300nm. Thus, if you don’t have any other types of
face masks, the cloth face mask will protect you against coronavirus to some
extent.
Surgical Mask
The surgical mask is a piece of personal protective gear
worn by health professionals normally during medical procedures. When the
disposable surgical mask is worn correctly, it prevents airborne transmission
of infections between patients and treating personnel by blocking the movement
of pathogens shed in respiratory droplets and aerosols.
Disposable surgical masks used in the US, the EEA (European
Economic Area), and China should conform to ASTM F2100, EN 14683, and YY 0469,
respectively. In these three standards, a surgical mask must have a BFE
(Bacterial Filtration Efficiency) of more than 95%, simulated with particles of
size 3.0 μm. It is worth mentioning that the surgical face masks from China not
only resist splashing but also achieve PFE (Particle Filtration Efficiency)
more than 30%. Thus, disposable surgical
masks, which are produced under rigorous standards and tests, effectively
prevent people from coronavirus.
FFP2 Face Mask
The FFP2 face mask is a type of mask that effectively stops
powdered chemicals and serves as a protector to fight against respiratory
viruses. It is strictly tested under EN 149, a European standard of marking and
testing requirements for filtering half masks. Unlike other standards, EN 149
requires an additional paraffin oil aerosol test. And all FFP2 face masks are
tested at a range of different flow rates. Under the filter penetration
limit(at 95 L/min airflows), the FFP2 face mask can filter at least 94% of
airborne particles, and the inward leakage is less than 8%. Therefore, the FFP2
face mask, which has high filtration, is regarded as an effective face mask in
preventing COVID-19.
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