Face Masks
Why is wearing a face mask important?
COVID spreads through airborne particles that can be transmitted by coughs, sneezes or just talking. Wearing a face mask helps mitigate the risk of you contracting COVID or transmitting COVID to those around you. Face masks are recommended in confined spaces, when unable to socially distance; if you or someone around is experiencing symptoms of illness; or if you or someone around you is more susceptible to COVID.
What is the difference between face masks?
The CDC recommends wearing a mask as part of your individual COVID protection plan; when you are at greater risk of contracting the disease or face greater risks from the disease. There are a variety of face masks available that offer differing levels of protection. In the next few paragraphs we will discuss how the different types of face masks prevent the transmission of COVID.
Filtering Face Piece (FFP)
Filtering Face Piece protection classes provide the base level protection rating for any face mask. Look for the FFP classification when determining which mask is right for your intended application.
Respirator Face Masks
Respirator face masks offer the highest level of protection and are used by medical personnel and at risk individuals. However, the variety of respirator face masks available is sometimes confusing.
Respirator face masks are certified by different regulating agencies in different countries. For example, the KN in the name of the mask means the Chinese government is the certifying body. Foreign certifications will likely be written in another language; but if a mask is being sold in the U.S. the manufacturer should be registered with the FDA. The FDA's website allows you to check Medical Device registration and listing.
The number in the mask name tells you the minimum level of protection the mask is rated to provide. For example, N95 and KN95 both mean the mask is rated to filter more than 95% of airborne particulate matter. Respirator face masks were designed to be one-time use masks, however, because of the pandemic and the shortage of personal protective equipment, techniques have been developed to sanitize and reuse them.
WARNING: Respirators with valves protect users, but not those around them. They allow the user's unfiltered particulates to be expelled directly out of the valves. As a business owner you should never allow your employees to wear this type of mask in the workplace; and you should inform your customers that this type of mask does not meet your standards to protect your employees and other customers.
Surgical Masks
The next level of protection is the single use surgical type mask. These face masks are rated by ASTM level to determine the amount of protection they provide. However, when it comes to COVID transmission, the protection offered is primarily for others, not the mask wearer. Surgical face masks are very effective at stopping exhaled particulates. The latest research shows that wearing a mask that blocks droplets, like a surgical style mask, can reduce the amount of viral particles inhaled by the user and reduce the the strength of a resulting infection.
Cloth Masks
The third type of masks are the cloth face masks. These types of face coverings are recommended to help prevent the USER from transmitting COVID. Cloth face masks limit the distance exhaled particulates travel in the air, thereby limiting the spread of the virus. However, they are not effective at protecting the user.