Which mask is best to keep Covid-19 away?
The ratio of deaths due to the Coronavirus outbreak is increasing day by day, and no effective treatment or vaccine is yet introduced, so most people prefer wearing masks to keep themselves safe.
This viral infection elevates the demand for face masks in the market, and people are conscious of which mask can save them from this global pandemic.
Mask Categories
Let us glance at the different types of masks and evaluate which is best for saving lives:
1. Surgical masks
Surgical masks are helpful in the inhalation of larger droplets such as sprays. It is also helpful in saving others from the wet aerosol if you are infected with the virus. However, on the whole, surgical masks are weak in overcoming the virus because they do not inhibit smaller particles from passing through them.
2. N95
N95 face masks are regulated by the United States National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). N95 indicates the first clue. N means oil irresistible, and 95 is for the percentage that indicates it is valid up to 95% against micro viruses.
N95 reduces the possibility of intact with invisible particles such as various viruses and bacteria. This mask does not allow even smaller particles to pass through it, so an exhalation valve is attached to maintain humidity level and heat inside the mask.
However, this exhalation valve has side effects in case of infected or suspected persons because if they remove this valve, there are 99% chances that the air in which they are breathing or surfaces around them will be polluted with the viral droplets captured in the mask.
3. Face Filtering Piece (FFP)
Europe introduced the Face Filtering Piece (FFP) face masks. These masks are categorized into FFP1, FFP2, and FFP3 based on their particle filtration.
Ø Type FFP1
Type FFP1 purifies the inhaling air up to 85 percent. It ranks at the lowest position among the three for protection against Coronavirus. Most probably, individuals suffering from respiratory diseases wear FFP1 to avoid dust and other similar particles.
Ø Type FFP2
The percentage of inhaling air purification by FFP2 is about 89%. This mask is responsible for extra protection from different microchemical particles in the air with those of dust particles.
Ø Type FFP3
FFP3 type mask ranks on the first to be most effective against Covid-19 with the protection percentage 92%.
Conclusion
The above is the complete information about the different masks to which extent they offer protection against Coronavirus. Nevertheless, there should be a proper way to dispose of; otherwise, they will be the first line of action to spread this viral infection.
