Types of face masks and respirators

Types of face masks and respirators:

First, what are face masks? 

Surgical face mask, procedure face mask, medical face mask:This is designed to be worn by the health worker during surgery and nursing such that liquid bacteria and aerosols from the wears mouth and nose. These are usually worn by the public in East Asian countries like China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan avoid inhaling airborne diseases and protect from air pollution. The youth in these countries have also used it as a fashion statement. These only limit the chances of the wearer to spread or get airborne diseases. 

Respirators are devices made to protect wearers from inhaling hazardous particles such as dust, microoganisms, hazardous mists, vapors and particles. These come in two types including air respirators which filter a contaminated atmosphere allowing the user to breath fresh non-contaminated air and air-supplied respirators which provide fresh breathing air to the wearer 

For the viewers information:

N stands for Not oil resistant

P stands for oil proof

N95 respirators or surgical masks: These are personal protective equipment used to the wear from airborne particles and liquid from spreading on the face. These will limit the chances of spreading of germs into the air but will not protect the wear from getting bacteria and viruses. 

FFP Respirators (Filtering facepieces protect): These are classified in three categories including the FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3. 

The FFP1 respirators filter 80% of airborne particles, and have an inward leakage of less than 22%, FFP2 filters about 94% of airborne particles and an inward leakage of less than 8%, FFP3 filters at least 99% of airborne particles and their inward leakage is less than 2%.

Chemical cartridge respirators: These remove gases, volatile chemical compounds (VOCs) and other vapors from fresh breathing air through chemical absorption. The service life of the cartridges of the chemical respirators depends on the carbon weight or molecular weight of the vapor and cartridge media,vapour concentration, atmospheric humidity and also the breathing rate of the wearer. 

Powered air purifying respirators(PAPRs) : These take polluted air and remove certain quantities of pollutants and return the air to the user. There are respirators in different environments. Some have funs carried by the user where the user moves and places them remotely in an area where the user goes. Some PAPRs are made to remove fine particulate matter while others are suitable for working with volatile organic particles such as those in spray paints. 

Self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA): This is a self contained breathing apparatus with a high pressure air cylinder, pressure gauge, and regulator and inhalation connection and other parts. It is carried on straps, and come in two types including open circuit and closed circuit. 

P100 face masks: These are designed to block 99.97% of oil based particles. They protect wearers from dust, fumes, hazardous mists and oils. They are good for construction environments, food processing, agricultural applications and pharmaceutical manufacturing. 

P95 face masks: These protect a wearer from 95% of oil based particles and non-pil-based particules. They are usually used to construction settings, pharmaceutical industries and other areas. 

Terms:

airebone

Particles

Mists

Hazardous

Filtering

NIOSH

N100 face masks: These are designed to protect the wearer from non-oil particles. They filter about 95% of airborne particles. These should be replaced every 4 to 6 months after use. They are good for wearing during grinding, sanding, mineral processing and processing activities that do not involve oil. They block hazards like cadmium, arsenic and lead. 

N95 face masks: These are usually used in environments with oil based particles. They are approved by NIOSH for filtering 95% of hazardous particles. L They are approved by the Centre for disease control to prevent influenza spread. 

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