Various masks are offered as protection against Corona. Different masks are subject to different requirements and ensure different protection. For many consumers, it is difficult to understand which mask should be worn and how.
What do you have to consider when wearing masks in Corona times?
In this article, we would like to explain the Leser_innen the different types of masks and their wearing function.
Important to know when wearing:
1. DIY masks
These are mouth- and nose-covering masks, which are manufactured according to the manufacturer's ideas or on their own. No standard applies. It is a development that arose out of the necessity of the shortage of professional and industrially manufactured masks. You can observe that such masks are offered and also sold. However, the differences between the masks offered could hardly be greater. Dubious offers of masks with protective effect and norm plucked completely out of thin air also appear here, whereby the protective effect can never be achieved, even if it is supposedly based on standards.
The purpose of using such a mask is to protect the environment from infection by the wearer ("spit protection"). However, it does not protect the wearer from infections from the environment. Nevertheless, such masks can contribute to a reduced spread of the virus.
2. MNS Medical Mouth and Nose Protection
The situation is different with medical mouth-nose protection, e.g. surgical masks. This is a medical device that has been certified according to the EN 14683:2019-6 standard. These masks are also primarily suitable for protecting the wearer's counterpart from infection by the wearer himself. The wearer may experience very limited protection against infection. The problem is that MNS masks usually do not fit tightly and therefore do not guarantee that infectious material can reach the mouth and nose from the sides.
3. FFP masks
FFP masks ("filtering face piece") are also certified by a "notified body". The certification is valid throughout Europe and is based on the EN 149 standard. For us, only masks of the types FFP2 and FFP3 are important here. They offer protection against biological and industrial pollutants. The molded fleece that encloses the mouth and nose protects the wearer from dangers from his environment. With regard to Corona, they are mandatory especially for medical staff and nursing staff. The environment is also protected from infections by the wearer. The breathing air is filtered through the fleece, the exhaled air is released back into the environment (if necessary also through a valve). The standard allows limited leakage for both FFP2 (11%) and FFP3 (5%) masks. Although the standard allows masks of different designs (as long as they meet at least the requirements of EN 149), we recommend masks with a so-called circumferential sealing lip made of adaptable material. This is much more likely to ensure that the mask fits snugly to the face and thus really achieves the intended protective effect. The FFP masks carry another important label. Most masks are NR ("not reusable") marked and must not be reused after use. R-marked masks ("reusable") may be reused. Reuse depends on the intended use.
FFP2
FFP3
4. Half masks with particle filters
Such masks are rarely used for medical applications. The reason is the much higher price compared to FFP masks. Reusability requires hygiene management and disinfection of the mask body. The particulate filters used can be replaced.
So what is important?
- In many cases, including on television, you can see an unprofessional use of masks, even among specialist staff. Masks must never be reused if there is a reasonable suspicion of infection!
- Reusable masks must be clearly assigned to the wearer and stored accordingly. The mask must never be touched from the inside (risk of infection). Wear disposable protective gloves when reusing. Put on a mask without touching your face, dispose of gloves!
- When putting on the mask, it is important to ensure that the mask fits as closely as possible to the face and encloses the mouth and nose without any errors. A circumferential sealing lip can be helpful for the correct fit.
- Taking off the mask is one of the biggest problems. The risk that infectious material from the outside of the mask will get into the wearer's face as a result of this manipulation is very high. This can lead to precisely what should be avoided, namely that an infection of the wearer happens unintentionally. The mask must be removed without touching the outside. If necessary, a second person can be called in for help. The face must never be touched. Particular attention should be paid to the eyes, especially if protective goggles are not worn. Many unintentional infections occur through the eyes! It may be necessary to work with new disposable gloves. Since the coronavirus has a size of only 125 nanometers (a nanometer is a millionth of a millimeter), it can also easily penetrate the much larger pores of all protective masks as an isolated virus! Therefore, the masks protect against droplet infection, but not against the virus as such.
The protection professionals wish everyone health and a lot of confidence. Stay mindful and protect yourself properly.