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The guide to face masks
The document provides a comprehensive guide on face masks, detailing various types such as medical masks, filtering respirators, and cloth masks, along with their uses, certifications, and suitable situations for wearing them. It emphasizes the importance of mask fit and certification standards, highlighting what to look for in effective masks, including features like metal nose clips and filtering layers. Additionally, it warns against using masks with exhalation valves and discusses the advantages of ear loops vs head loops in terms of comfort and wearability.
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The guide to face masks
- 1. Mallcom India Ltd.| 2020 FACE MASKS: THE GUIDE
- 2. Face Mask Types MedicalMask Filtering Respirators / Industrial Masks Cloth Masks • Fairly Common • General purpose • Good protection • Standardized • Single use • Certified • Specific use case mask • Most protection • Extremely standardized • Single use • Certified • Most Common • Fair protection • Not standardized, large variance • Potentially washable (w/o filter) • Non-certified Filter particles 0.3 micron or larger
- 3. Who should wearwhat mask in which situation? Medical Mask Filtering Respirators Cloth Masks X No Mask WHO WHEN Children below 2 yrs. General Public Inside Household Outside when alone General public with no symptoms Can’t maintain social distance Crowded Places Poorly ventilated indoors Senior Citizens Fever, cough & mild symptoms Have chronic medical conditions like diabetes etc Caring for an ill family member Clinical Settings General outdoor use in risky areas In vicinity of COVID patients & aerosol generating procedures Anyone attending to COVID patients- healthcare professionals or family
- 4. Mask Certifications Parameter IndianStandard European Standard American Standard Standard IS 9473:2002 EN 149:2001 NIOSH Certification Body Bureau of Indian Standards CEN- European Committee for Standardization National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health Class BIS FFP2 FFP2 N95 Filtering Efficiency >= 94% >= 94% >= 95% In-house Laboratory Requirement Yes No No Filtering Capacity 0.3 micron or larger 0.3 micron or larger 0.3 micron or larger Look for this Logo OR CM/L-XXXXXX XXXX NOTE: Surgical masks of Level 3 (USA), Type IIR (Europe) & Class 3 (India) have enhanced fluid splash resistance than Level 2, Type II & Class 2, respectively, with identical BFE values.
- 5. What to lookfor in a mask Certificationsthat matter: Fitis critical to avoid air leakage. The mask must fully cover your nose, mouth & chin The seams should hug your face snugly all around Ones that don’t: A simple 3 layer mask with a proper seal protects better than a loose-fitting 7 layer mask Metal Nose Clip Conforms to your face Holds its shape for longer durations More durable & last longer Filtering Layer(s) Made of melt-blown with certified BFE ratings More layers don’t necessarily mean higher filtering efficiency, stick to authorised BFE ratings Others: Uniform & consistent seams; Ultrasonically welded joints over stapled & stitched joints; Splash resistant outer layer CM/L-XXXXXX NOTE: Testing done by independent labs is not the same as certification by CE, NIOSH or ISI
- 6. Valve or NoValve WHO does not recommend the use of masks with exhalation valves. These masks are intended for industrial workers to prevent dust and particles from being breathed in as the valve closes on inhale. However, the valve opens on exhale making it easier to breathe but also allowing any virus to funnel through the valve opening, making the mask ineffective at preventing the spread of COVID-19.
- 7. Ear Loops VSHead Loops Easier to wear & remove Only few come with adjustable straps Long wears lead to pain & fatigue in the ears Commonly used in surgical & cloth masks Fit of the mask affected when strap looses its elasticity Comparatively harder to wear & remove Look for adjustable straps Comfortable to wear for long durations at a stretch Commonly used in respirators & premium cloth masks Can be tightened with adjuster bead, if strap looses its elasticity Nose Clips Metal Plastic Holds its shape unless bent again Provides the best seal, therefore most protection May pinch if pushed too hard Indicator of a higher quality mask Doesn’t hold its shape for long Not the best seal Bends back to original shape due to elasticity Indicator of a cost-effective mask construction Masks without nose clips? Avoid wearing masks without nose clips as they leave gaps on the sides of the nose, not forming a seal & thus exposing you to the risk of inhaling dust & pathogens
- 8. Thank You! Mallcom (India)Ltd. EN-12, Sector-V, Salt Lake, Kolkata 700 091, India T: +91 33 4016 1000 | F: +91 33 4016 1010 E: sales@mallcom.in | W: www.mallcom.in © Mallcom. All rights reserved. Non contractual document subject to printing errors. Reproduction prohibited. The logos and names of other companies and all products mentioned in this brochure are copyright and/or trademarks of their respective owners. Mallcom logo and symbol are the registered trademarks of Mallcom (India) Ltd. or its associates. Mallcom reserves the right to modify the characteristics of its products without any notice. References • WHO – COVID 19 technical specifications for personal protective equipment & related IPC supplies (Click here) • WHO – Webinar on personal protective equipment production – WHO PPE specifications; 4 May 2020 (Click here) • ASTM International – Standards (Click here) • BIS – Revised guidelines & licenses for masks and PPEs (Click here)