Masks are increasingly popular and, unfortunately, also increasingly expensive. Many now, outside of doctors and nurses, rely on masks to protect themselves against the COVID-19 pandemic, during those – few – times when you go outside your home.
The use of this tool still causes a lot of confusion, we try to understand what types are on the market, what they are used for and when you really need to use the masks.
Surgical masks
Surgical masks are the most common ones in the whole Italian territory. They can be used by anyone and prevent droplets produced by coughing and sneezing from dispersing into the environment, so as to avoid the wearer from infecting other people who are nearby.
They can also be "homemade" and only a little cloth and an elastic band are enough. They are used in the health sector in order to avoid the dispersion of pathogens.
The surgical mask prevents wearers from touching their mouth or nose, avoiding the transfer of viruses and bacteria after touching a contaminated surface. These masks can therefore prevent the wearer from spreading the infection, but they do not adequately protect it from contagion others, especially for the poor adherence to the face.
What to do in the absence of a mask? Wear any protection such as a neck warmer, a scarf or the like, always remembering to be one meter away from people.
Respirators FFP1, FFP2, FFP3
There are clearly more effective respirators on the market and are called, respectively for the degree of protection, FFP1, FFP2, FFP3. Made entirely or predominantly of filter material, they cover the nose, mouth and even the chin. Respirators reduce exposure to aerosols present in the air, are classified as PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and serve to protect the wearer.
FFP1 class respirators: commonly used in various sectors such as the steel industry and in construction, they are able to protect the respiratory tract from solid and liquid non-volatile particles. These masks have one filtering capacity of at least 80% of the particles suspended in the air and an inward loss of less than 22%.
Therefore, they are not recommended for protection against pathogens. These filter at least 80% of the particles found in the air up to 0.6 micrometers in size and can be used when the occupational exposure limit value is not exceeded by more than 4 times.
Respirators of class FFP2: are able to protect the respiratory tract from dust, mists and particle fumes with a toxicity level between low and medium. They have a filtering capacity of at least 94% of the particles suspended in the air and an inward loss of less than 8%.
FFP2 masks without valve are supplied to workers exposed to the public only in an emergency, to family doctors and medical guards when they are in the presence of some potentially ill patient. Such masks are used in the metallurgical industry or in the mining industry.
FFP3 class respirators: used in hospitals and intensive care units, they protect health workers who are in contact with infected patients. These devices are able to protect the respiratory tract in an unprecedented way, have a filtering capacity of at least 99% of the particles suspended in the air and an inward loss of less than 2%.
Another ally of ours: gloves
Gloves make up a great tool to limit contagion (when you go shopping, for example) as long as simple rules are respected and do not replace proper hand hygiene.
Gloves must be replaced whenever they become dirty, must be thrown away after use and must not – of course – be reused. They are indispensable in the case of hospital or home care for the sick.
The mask, useful or not?
According to the World Health Organization, the mask should be worn only if you suspect that you have contracted the new coronavirus and when faced with symptoms such as coughing or sneezing. The use of the mask helps to limit the spread of the virus but must be adopted in addition to other measures of respiratory and hand hygiene. Furthermore, according to the website of the Ministry of Health, the mask is not necessary for the population in the absence of symptoms of respiratory diseases. However, as often happens, experts rely on different schools of thought.