It ought to be of no shock to anybody that we are at present in a major health crisis. Termed COVID-19, the coronavirus has spread throughout the globe, testing almost each facet of each country from health to trade. As a involved individual, it’s possible you’ll consider buying some masks to maintain at residence in case one in every of your loved ones members fall ill. Nevertheless, are masks and respirators really equal? Why are some masks more expensive than others? What do you have to search for in a mask? What can you do if a mask isn’t available? Let’s find out.
Masks vs Respirators
Earlier than we dive into the meat of this Guide, you will need to know that Surgical Masks and Respirators are two completely different types of protection. Respirators are typically more costly than surgical masks as they’re usually more hardy and do offer more protection. However, is the additional protection really obligatory during this current crisis?
Surgical Masks
As its name counsel, surgical masks have been initially meant for use throughout a surgery. The use was to make sure that the room could be kept sterile, and that germs from a doctor or nurse’s mouth or nose wouldn’t contaminate the patient. Over the previous few years, it has seen commonplace use particularly in places like China.
These masks are sometimes also called three-ply masks as a consequence of their characteristic of having 3 layers of protection within the masks itself. The layers are sometimes a consistent type of material relying on the manufacturer, although frequent ones embody wool felt, fiberglass paper, or polypropylene. The multi-layered construction of the mask acts to filter out particles more successfully, similar to how using multiple sieves in succession is more effective than just using one sieve.
By a one-time use, the layers will begin turning into soiled or clogged as they block out particles from each outside in and inside out. As there are no solution to safely clean out these layers at residence, it’s highly beneficial that these masks be disposed on the finish of its use.
One thing to recollect is that unlike respirators, masks are usually not airtight and aren’t meant to be. Their principal function is to prevent direct splashes of particles in or out out of your mouth and nose. This is completely different from respirators, whose role is to filter the air you breathe.
Surgical Respirators
As briefly talked about, the first function of a surgical respirator is to filter the air you breathe and is meant to be hermetic when used. In this Guide, we are going to give attention to the more frequent single-use respirators instead of heavy-duty reusable ones.
These respirators come in different grades typically ranging from N95 to N100. The numbers characterize the share of particles that these respirators are imagined to filter. For example, N95 respirators are supposed to filter out at the least ninety five% of contaminants while N100 respirators are alleged to filter out at the very least 99.97% of contaminants when they are used properly.
These respirators have two key elements that makes it totally different from a surgical mask:
The first is the shell, which has three key layers, sometimes more. The outer layer is a protective material which acts as a barrier between you and the environment. In the center, the pre-filtration layer is thick and stiff to allow it to maintain a hard type, which is something that the surgical masks don’t have. The ultimate layer focuses on filtration and in ensuring that the air getting in from the atmosphere is filtered. Some types of masks have an added special particulate air filters that can assist you breathe easier.
One other key element is its nostril clip, straps and foam. Unlike a surgical mask, a respirator wants to make sure that all air going in and out goes by its filters. As such, these elements are there to create an airtight seal between you and your environment. If you are using a respirator, it is thus crucial that you just put it on properly. One method to tell when you have put on the respirator properly is that it ought to change into slightly more difficult to breathe as airflow speed is reduced.
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