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Medical Face Mask
There are several standards and type of masks available depending on your place of residence as well as intended uses. Here below is a quick introduction to the different standards and effectiveness per mask type. Additionally to below table, masks can be of type "R" to have a liquid repellent effect or sterilized to be used in ICU while performing surgeries and avoid contamination.
Surgical Masks
Types of Masks
There are four levels of certification that surgical masks are classified in, depending on the level of protection they provide to the person wearing them:
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Minimum protection face masks are meant for short procedures or exams that won’t involve fluid, spray, or aerosol.
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Level/Type 1 face masks often feature ear loops and are the general standard for both surgical and procedural applications, with a fluid resistance of 80 mmHg. They’re meant for low-risk situations where there will be no fluid, spray, or aerosol.
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Level/Type 2 face masks, with 120 mmHg fluid resistance, provide a barrier against light or moderate aerosol, fluid, and spray.
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Level/Type 3 face masks are for heavy possible exposure to aerosol, fluid and spray, with 160 mmHG fluid resistance.
There are four levels of certification that respirator masks are classified in, depending on the level of protection they provide to the person wearing them:
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FFP1 & P1 face masks have a filter capacity of at least 80% of all particles that are 0.3 microns in diameter or larger.
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FFP2 & P2 & N95 face masks have a filter capacity of at least 94% of all particles that are 0.3 microns in diameter or larger.
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FFP2 & N95 face masks have a filter capacity of at least 99% of all particles that are 0.3 microns in diameter or larger.
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P3 & N100 face masks have a filter capacity of at least 99.95% of all particles that are 0.3 microns in diameter or larger.
Valved respirators make it easier to exhale air but do not filter the wearer’s exhalation. Non-Valved respirators offer a better protection when talking about airborne infectious diseases as they filter both inhale and exhale air.
Which Mask Should I Choose ?
Surgical Masks
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Masks are loose fitting, covering the nose and mouth
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Designed for one way protection, to capture bodily fluid leaving the wearer
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Example – worn during surgery to prevent coughing, sneezing, etc on the vulnerable patient
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Contrary to belief, masks are NOT designed to protect the wearer
Respiratory Masks
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Respirators are tight fitting masks, designed to create a facial seal
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Non-valved respirators provide good two way protection, by filtering both inflow and outflow of air
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These are designed protect the wearer (when worn properly), up to the safety rating of the mask
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Available as disposable, half face or full face
Respiratory Masks
Types of Masks