DIFFERENT TYPES OF FACE MASKS

DIFFERENT TYPES OF FACE MASKS

Masks are specially designed to prevent airborne diseases from spreading. The World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has approved basic and surgical masks for public use.

Different types of face masks include:

1. Basic cloth mask
2. Surgical face mask
3. N95 respirator
4. Filtering facepiece respirator (FFP)
5. KN95 respirator
6. Activated carbon respiratory mask

1. Sponge mask

BASIC CLOTH MASK –

Basic cloth mask is generally home-made of different cloth materials like polypropylene, polyester, nylon, cellulose, silk, cotton. It can be used as source control to reduce disease transmission, but due to very low filter efficiency they are not considered as personal protective equipment for the wearer. It is recommended when you are in public places where physical distancing is difficult to maintain.

• Virus: protection level 0%
• Bacteria: protection level 50%                                                        
• Dust: protection level 50%
• Pollen: protection level 50%

NOTE –  Wash cloth masks after every use. Masks should be carefully removed without touching eyes, nose, and mouth. After removing wash hands immediately.

SURGICAL MASK –

Surgical masks are thin, disposable, loose-fitting face mask made of a non-woven fabric that covers nose, mouth, and chin. This type of masks is used in hospitals by health care professionals. They are used to protect the wearer from sprays, and large-particle droplets and to prevent transmission of infectious respiratory secretions from wearers to others.

• Virus: protection level 95%
• Bacteria: protection level 80%
• Dust: protection level 80%
• Pollen: protection level 80%

NOTE – Surgical masks should be disposed immediately after use. After removing wash hands immediately.

N95 RESPIRATOR MASK–

N95 mask is a particulate filtering-facepiece respirator that protects against smaller respiratory droplets such as SARS-CoV-2. It is made of synthetic polymer fibers, specifically a nonwoven polypropylene fabric. Use of this mask could prevent heart conditions, lung diseases, and psychological conditions such as claustrophobia. Surgical N95 mask is generally used by health care workers and medical first responders. Currently CDC does not recommend the use of N95 mask due to certain reasons which include:

●      In order to be used appropriately N95 respirators should be fit-tested. A poor seal can lead to leakage therefore, it lowers the respirator’s effectiveness.

●      Masks can become uncomfortable and difficult to wear for extended periods due to tight fit.

●       Supply of  N95 respirators are limited worldwide, making them to have ready access for healthcare workers and medical first responders.

• Virus: protection level 95%
• Bacteria: protection level 100%
• Dust: protection level 100%
• Pollen: protection level 100%

FILTERING FACEPIECE RESPIRATOR (FFP) –

FFP mask is a disposable half-facepiece air-purifying particulate respirator. It reduces from exposure of pathogenic biological airborne particulates. They differ from other masks because of the filtering media itself is the mask. During pandemic, this type of face mask is considered for those with allergies. FFP masks should be stored in designated location away from chemicals, dust, sunlight, or extreme temperature when not in use.

• Virus: protection level 95%
• Bacteria: protection level 80%
• Dust: protection level 80%
• Pollen: protection level 80%

NOTE – Do not reuse. FFP masks are designed to be disposable. It should be stored in a manner that prevents damage and deformation of facepiece.

KN95 RESPIRATOR MASK –

KN95 masks are almost similar to N95 masks, both capture 95% of tiny particles in air. N95 masks differ from KN95 masks by capturing large particles. KN95 masks are as effective as N95 masks and can be used as a suitable substitute for N95 masks in case of short supply.

• Virus: protection level 95%
• Bacteria: protection level 80%
• Dust: protection level 80%
• Pollen: protection level 80%

ACTIVATED CARBON RESPIRATORY MASK –

These masks contain an activated carbon filter, which collect and filter out the pollutants and germs and it also improves lung capacity and respiratory muscles in case of polluted city. These types of masks work well in fighting pollution and tiny particles like fungi and bacteria which spread through air and prevent allergies. They are not recommended for fighting against virus like covid-19 because it can trap 10-20% of viruses.

• Virus: protection level 10%
• Bacteria: protection level 50%
• Dust: protection level 50%
• Pollen: protection level 50%

SPONGE MASK –

Sponge mask has no filter and is made of polyurethane. This mask is not effective at capturing small particles like virus, but it is effective at filtering out pollen and dust particles. Surgical masks provide more protection than sponge mask. It is completely ineffective against 0.3-micron particles. Sponge mask can be washed and reused up to 3 times.

• Virus: protection level 0%
• Bacteria: protection level 5%
• Dust: protection level 5%
• Pollen: protection level 5%

CONCLUSION

In times of pandemic like COVID-19, avoid stepping out of the house unless necessary, wearing a mask is very important. Use of face masks is a key measure to prevent the spread of virus like COVID-19. In COVID-19 condition, valve masks are worse than no mask as mask with one-way valve do not filter exhaled air, so if an asymptomatic COVID carrier wears a valve mask, the air which is exhaled may carry virus. Centre for disease control (CDC) recommends cloth masks are effective, as layers of cotton can prevent the infectious respiratory droplets from entering/ escaping but are not as effective at filtering out small particles as respirators or surgical masks.

YESHASWINI ASAPU

B.PHARMACY