The Mask-Facts and FAQs

Facts-The Mask

In this era of Corona panic and fear, there are a lot of confusions and misconceptions existing regarding the use of mask, not only amongst the laypersons but also among the health care providers.

On one hand, masks are not available for the risk group while on the other hand, who are not at risk, spending unnecessary money and energy to procure these masks.

This provokes me to write this blog, hope this would improve the understanding of the various types of commonly used masks and clarify the proper indications of use.

Masks-FAQs

Q1 ... What are the common types of masks

Ans...

1 Cloth mask

2 Surgical mask

Q2... What are the Respirators

Ans.

N- 95

N- 99

N- 100

are the respirators

Q3.. what is the difference between mask and respirator

Ans.

Mask has a loose fit, it doesn't seal nose and mouth snugly.

During respiration air moves along the edges of the mask, while respirator has a tight seal and most of the times' air passes only through its material after filtration.

Q4... Are all respirator masks are the same

Ans...

No, respirators are graded according to their filtration efficiency.

According to the used filter type

According to the type of materials used

And additional features

They are of different types.

Q5... what is the efficiency grading

Ans...

According to the efficiency of filtration these are usually graded as-

95, 99 and 100

Means these respirator masks are capable of traping 95%, 99% and 99.9% of particles, smaller up to the 0.3-micron size.

This grading can also be done as

P1 (FFP1) - 80%

P2 (FFP2) - 95%

P3 (FFP3) - 99.95%

Filtration efficiency.

Q.6.. what is the N, R or P meaning written over the mask

Ans...

N - not oil-proof

R- oil resistant

P- oil-proof

(Eg. N 95 is not oil proof).

Q7. Few respirator masks have the valve, what is that.

Ans.

That valve is nothing but a simple exhalation port with one-way valve mechanism, it reduces the effort of expiration, reduces heat inside the mask, dissipates humidity and reduces co2 the amount of from the dead space of mask.

Q.8. When to use surgical masks.

Ans... Surgical mask or procedure mask is the most common mask used by health workers.

It is not designed to protect the wearer from inhaling the air born bacteria and viruses.

It is used to block only large-particle droplets, splashes, sprays or splatter.

It also reduces the exposure of wearer's saliva and respiratory secretions to others. The surgical mask also reminds wearer not to touch their mouth/nose which could otherwise transfer virus/bacteria after having touched a contaminated surface.

Q9... what is the filtration capacity of surgical mask

Ans... It can vary between 10-90% according to the manufacturer.

Q..10.. how one can assure about the quality of the mask

Ans.

Mask should be certified by the

NIOSH (National institute for occupational safety and health)

Or

NPPTL (National personal protective technology laboratory)

Q.11...Is the cloth mask effective?

Ans.

The cloth is a woven material thus pore size is bigger than a surgical mask which is made up of non-woven polypropylene material thus cloth mask is less effective than the surgical mask in terms of filtration efficiency.

Q..12 ... Does the extra layer improve the efficacy of cloth mask

Ans. No, it's not advisable. Each extra layer adds only 2% of extra protection on the cost of comfort.

Q.13... Can surgical/cloth mask be used routinely

Ans.

Yes, these can be used routinely.

Few studies done on normal population concluded that the use of the simple mask can decrease the incidence of flu up to 75%.

Few east Asian countries following this practice of routine use of the mask.

Q.14. Can mask be reused?

Ans. -Cloth mask can be reused after washing

- The surgical mask should be discarded after a single use or after soiled

- Respirator mask should be discarded when the resistance of breathing gets increased or get soiled.

Viruses/bacterias can grow and flourish inside the reused mask.

Q..15.. what are the WHO recommendations for using masks?

Ans...

- For the normal population, any type of mask is not required, maintaining the social distance and hand hygiene are sufficient.

- The sick person should wear a surgical mask

- Any person who is taking care of a sick person should also wear the surgical mask.

- N 95 mask should be used by the person who is potential to get exposed to the respiratory secretions of the infected patient eg. During the Endotracheal intubation, CPR, Ventilation, Bronchoscopy and Tracheostomy etc.

The only additional thing to remember is that N95's recommended wear time is 4 hours.

Summery...

Please don't create panic and use this precious commodity judiciously.

Stay safe...