During the current COVID-19 outburst in all the countries worldwide, the mandatory requirement of face masks has grown considerably. This world status promoted the health care conglomerates worldwide to invest more time and resources in the research and development of medical protective mask and medical surgical mask. It is crucial because the world now needs a continuous and reliable supply of face masks and protective masks for healthcare professionals, patients, and healthy citizens.
Finding a sustainable and cost-effective manufacturing blueprint is the key to overcome supply shortages. Shenzhen Kingpin Technology Ltd. is one of the leading manufacturers that produced masks for the worldwide population. For detailed knowledge about the usefulness of protective face masks, read this blog till the end. Here you will get a comprehensive insight on masks mostly general information, technical data, usage and maintenance.
Definition of a Face Mask—the Personal Protective Gear for Your Face
Mask is also defined as a breathing apparatus. It is a piece of equipment worn by humans to stop inhaling hazardous chemicals, the gas vapor of chemicals, biological contaminants, viruses, bacteria, dust, and all other polluting elements of the air. Face masks are available in two forms. In one form, it purifies the air, and the other form provides breathable air from an enclosed system such as an Oxygen cylinder, preventing polluted air from being inhaled.
The variable range of air purifying masks includes a cost-effective disposable protective mask, single-use medical protective mask, the medical surgical mask used in operation theatres, and face masks to get portable protection from dust and allergens.
Face masks are the front line defense when you need to stop the spread of any disease, mostly aerially communicated health issues. Medical masks, surgical masks, N95 masks, KN95 masks, face masks, etc., stop the infection from spreading from sick patients to doctors, attendants, nurses, healthy citizens, etc. In packed areas and areas with unknown ventilation quality, the wearing of masks is highly recommended.
The Significant Part of a Personal Safety Gear—Medical Protective Mask & Medical Surgical Mask
In hospitals or community clinics, masks are highly recommended personal safety equipment. Face masks are usually worn either as a protective covering or during a surgical procedure in an operation theatre.
A. Disposable Medical Protective Mask
Usually, these are three-ply masks manufactured from NIOSH, WHO, or CDC certified raw materials to ensure protection against medical wastes and pollutants in high volume. Disposable medical protective mask for the face are intended to provide protection against the airborne flu virus, COVID-19 virus, infectious bacteria, dust, pollen, and harmful smoke or gas.
It is prescribed for day to day use, travel, or outdoor work requirements. These masks fit loosely on the face. The disposable masks circle the ears and shield the nose and mouth to protect against droplets, infectious splashes, saliva, and respiratory secretions from dispersion.
1. Features and Benefits
- Usually made of three layers for guaranteed protection
- Worldwide medical associations suggest the use of non-woven and moisture-proof fabric with strong air filtering capability
- These are mostly made of smooth and comfortable materials or filter elements
- NIOSH and CDC made it mandatory that the masks should fit all face sizes through a stretchable elastic ear loop
- Earloops are also highly recommended for a comfortable and loose fit on the side of the face
- As a personal portable daily health shield, each disposable medical protective mask filters out: dust, pollen, bacteria, pollutants, and smoke
2. Specification Standard
- It should be of good breathability.
- It must provide 98% droplet filtration
- Need to provide protection against fluid spillage
- Internal and external face area identification should be easy
- YY/T 0969 class to provide bacterial filtration up to 98%
- EN 14683 Type II in case non-fluid resistance variant
Manufacturing of these face masks should always follow technical standards laid down by World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
A. Disposable Medical Surgical Mask
A medical-surgical mask is a medical face mask meant to be worn by health workers or professionals during medical operations. It prevents the airborne spread of infections in patients and medical personnel. It does that by obstructing pathogens' communication in breathing droplets and sprays from the wearer's mouth and nose.
These are not generally intended to prevent the wearer from breathing in microbial pollutants. They are intended to protect a person by filtering out and catching most of the droplets that carry viruses and bacteria.
1. Features and Benefits
- These are not accepted as total respiratory protection. What CDC says is, a medical surgical mask does not provide complete protection from breathing microbial particles.
- Surgical masks got certification for use in medical establishments by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which assesses data and specifications submitted by the mask manufacturer.
- There are also use and throw surgical face coverings that look highly likely to surgical masks. But these were not tested against fluid resistance. Hence, these are not cleared by FDA.
- Face seal fit should be loose-fitting.
- No need to worry about disinfection before the next use as these are disposable.
2. Specification Standard
Testing parameters include ASTM specifications and guidelines. ASTM specifies the following specs of any surgical mask:
- Bacterial filtration efficiency
- Sub-micron particulate filtration efficiency
- Differential pressure
- Resistance to synthetic blood and flammability
Some standard specifications are as follows:
- Fluid resistance capability should be available in medical surgical mask.
- Should have EN 14683 Type IIR standard
- ASTM F2100 Level 1, 2, or 3 respectively for low, moderate, and maximum barrier protection
- YY 0469, through minimum 98% bacterial droplet filtration
Conclusion
So far in this blog, we have spoken about the significance and urgency of wearing a mask and how different types of face masks like a medical protective mask and medical surgical mask can offer protection against COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. By ordering masks from the innovative and genuine Chinese manufacturer which is FaceMasksChina, a Shenzhen Kingpin Technology Ltd brand will protect against the most highly contagious diseases and air pollution.
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