Respiratory protection is essential if exposed to dusts, gases and other toxins. We are all well aware of the danger that this Covid-19 pandemic can cause!
In the face of the very rapid increase in the number of contaminations around the world, the demand for protective masks has increased. This is why we offer you various respiratory protection masks specially designed for your different protection needs.
A surgical mask is a medical product with a splash-proof function. (standard EN 14683). This means that it limits the spread of germs from the mouth, nose and respiratory tract of the person wearing the mask. That way, the respiratory droplets are retained in a non-woven filtering screen, preventing the droplets sent by the wearer of the mask from being ejected into the environment. It also protects the wearer against the projection of droplets from another person. However, it does not protect against the inhalation of very small airborne particles. As soon as they are wet or soiled, they should be disposed of in a covered rubbish bin and if possible in a plastic bag.
There are three types of masks :
- Type I: bacterial filtration efficiency > 95% of an aerosol of average size 3 µm.
- Type II: bacterial filtration efficiency > 98% of an aerosol of average size 3 µm.
- Type IIR: Bacterial filtration efficiency > 98 % of a 3 µm medium size aerosol and splash resistant.
FFP masks
An FFP (Filtering facepiece particles) mask is a respiratory protection product (standard NF EN 149). Unlike surgical masks, FFP masks protect against both airborne or droplet transmission and potential inhalation of the virus. The respiratory protection mask covers the nose and mouth and consists of different filtering materials and the mask itself. Wearing this type of mask is more restrictive (thermal discomfort, respiratory resistance) than that of a surgical mask. There are three types of FFP masks, depending on their efficiency (estimated according to the efficiency of the filter and the leakage to the face). A distinction is made between :
- FFP1 masks filtering at least 80% of aerosols with an average size of 0.6 µm.
- FFP2 masks filtering at least 94% of aerosols with a mean size of 0.6 µm.
- FFP3 masks filtering at least 99% of aerosols of average size 0.6 µm.
In the case of the coronavirus pandemic, FFP2 masks are very effective against viruses, provided that the conditions of use are strictly adhered to. It is therefore necessary to respect the lifetime of the mask, i.e. 4 to 8 hours, to apply them well on the wings of the nose so that they are watertight and, finally, to discard them once they have been worn.
Fabric masks
The fabric mask does not offer effective protection against Coronavirus contamination. On the other hand, wearing such a mask is not useless to continue slowing down the spread of the virus, as it nevertheless constitutes a barrier that limits the spread of droplets. It is recommended to wash the fabric mask after each use in the machine at a temperature of 60° and in a cycle of at least 30 minutes, with a conventional detergent. At this temperature and thanks to the very fast rotating movements of the washing machine, the virus will be destroyed.
It is strongly recommended that children from 6 years of age wear a protective mask against Coronavirus. It is important that children wear their masks in public transport, in shops or even on Be an example by wearing a protective mask yourself.
