baitcloud35

Activity Face mask FFP2 respirator FFP3 respirator
Outpatient care, care of suspected cases Patient (if reasonable) Medical staff
Transport in a car patient (if reasonable) driver, accompanying person (s)
Activities in the patient room patient (if reasonable) all
Activities in which employees can be exposed to coughing pains (if reasonable) all
Activities with cough provocation (e.g. intubation) patient (if reasonable) medical personnel
From reports of the flu epidemic in 2009, many laypersons are familiar with the pictures of people who obviously wear surgical masks to protect themselves from infection.
Therefore, the question is important whether a surgical face mask is also suitable for the wearer as a respiratory mask to avoid aerogenic (airborne) droplet infections.

For example, Influenza viruses in small droplets (diameter> 10 µm) from infected patients by coughing or sneezing in the air spread over a distance of several meters to infect other people through the air they breathe. At the beginning of 2007, the BG Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BGIA) tested whether the surgical mask protects the wearer from pathogens from the air we breathe.

Result: A few mouth-nose protection products with a modelable nose piece meet the essential requirements of an FFP1 mask in accordance with DIN EN 149. However, since FFP1 masks may have a total leakage of 20% according to the standard, they are not suitable as respiratory protection against airborne infectious agents !

Accordingly, surgical masks are also not sufficient as protection against infection from air-borne pathogens! Surgical and FFP1 masks are only a hygienic measure in this case because they protect the mouth and nose from touching contaminated hands.

Does it always have to be an FFP respirator with a valve?
In addition to the filter performance, FFP masks also differ in their equipment, e.g. B. an exhalation valve. Basically, FFP masks from the same protection class with and without a valve have the same protective effect when used correctly! Especially small, hard FFP masks with thick filter fleece need a valve, because otherwise the breathing resistance is too high and the risk increases that breathing air flows past the side of the mask when inhaled. The valve significantly increases the price of the FFP mask.
For this reason, some manufacturers have developed FFP masks that do not require a valve. These masks are not rigid and have a comparatively large filter surface. In this way, comparable wearing properties to FFP masks with valves are achieved. This statement applies in particular to FFP1 and FFP2 masks, but FFP3 masks without a valve are now also available on the market.

How long can look at this site for more info be used?
All FFP masks used in the medical field are single-use items, which the manufacturers have not designed and tested for multiple use.
Thus, the manufacturers do not develop or deliver any instructions for reprocessing the medical device. With a long period of use, the breathing resistance of the FFP mask increases. After use, the FFP mask can be disposed of with household waste. There are also industrial safety masks for the industry with different or additional properties such as Odor filter or gas filter. For information on how to use these respirators, please refer to the information in the manufacturer's data sheet.