Precautions during use of protective masks

Q: What is a dust mask?

A: Anti-particulate dust masks are a type of respiratory protection products, the main protection object is particulates. This includes dust, mist, smoke and microorganisms. The particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs of humans are very small, and the particle size is usually below 7 microns, which is a great health hazard. It is the culprit causing various types of pneumoconiosis, and is also the main object of protection against particle masks.

 

Q: The suitability of anti-particulate masks

A: The best dust masks are not alone to see whether the masks are really protective. Another important selection factor is suitability. No one-size-fits-all design fits everyone’s face. At present, the certification testing of anti-particulate masks does not guarantee that the masks are suitable for each specific user. If there is a leak, contaminants in the air will enter the breathing zone from the leak, so unsuitable masks do not provide effective protection.

 

Q: What is a N95 mask?

A: N95 is the lowest level of the US NIOSH (National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health) ‘s filter efficiency rating for American occupational particulate respirator. (Fog, microorganisms, etc.) The filtration efficiency is at least 95%.

 

Q: Can ordinary gauze masks effectively protect against dust particles in the air?

A: The use of gauze masks as anti-particulate masks is the biggest mistake in using anti-particulate masks. Gauze masks are not protective masks. As early as 2000, the government explicitly banned the use of gauze masks as dust in the workplace. The two most important technical indicators of protective masks are filtration efficiency and the ability of the mask to isolate polluted air. Gauze masks not only have low filtration efficiency, but also have obvious leaks in the mask. Use the suitability test method of the respirator mask to detect each person Can immediately realize this.

 

Q: Will the dust masks fail after long-term use? When should it be replaced?

A: As the use time of the anti-particulate mask increases, the filtered particles will gradually block the filter material, the filtering efficiency will usually increase, and the respiratory resistance will also increase. When breathing resistance increases so that the wearer cannot accept it, it should be replaced. Long-term use can also cause hygiene problems or infectious threats caused by repeated use of contaminated masks. Protective masks cannot be cleaned or disinfected, otherwise the filtration efficiency will be reduced. If you have been in contact with an infectious environment, or if you find damaged parts, such as missing nose clips, broken headbands, or damaged masks, you should replace them immediately.

 

Q: What is the use of activated carbon masks?

A: Adding a thin layer of activated carbon or other gas-adsorbing material to the particulate protective mask can reduce some low-concentration gas with bad smell, that is, reduce the odor. Such as: the odor (mainly organic substances) emitted by spoilage substances. When the odor gas concentration is so high as to be harmful to health, a gas mask is needed.

 

Q: How to judge the service life of dust masks?

A: The concentration of particulate matter in different environments is different, the nature of particulate matter is different, the use time of each person is different, the dust holding capacity of various anti-particulate masks, and the use and storage methods are different, these will affect the life of the mask, so there is no way to uniformly regulate The specific replacement time. When any part of the anti-particulate mask is damaged, and the respiratory resistance is obviously increased, or the sanitary requirements are not met, the entire mask should be discarded.

 

Q: Can the dust mask be cleaned?

A: Whether it is anti-virus or dust-proof, any filter element should not be washed with water, otherwise it will damage the filter element. Particulate masks should not be washed.


Post time: May-13-2020