Mask Types Complete Guide for Buying Wholesale Masks From China
This article will introduce: availabe mask types, the difference of mask protection levels in Europe and the United States, how to properly purchase masks, and common problems about masks for coronavirus.
The masks commonly used in our daily life can be generally divided into 4 major mask types:
- medical protective masks
- medical-surgical masks
- ordinary medical masks
- ordinary degreasing gauze masks
The first three are medical supplies and are included in the management of medical supplies. Ordinary degreased gauze masks are not managed as medical supplies.
Medical protective masks meet the GB19083-2010 “Technical Requirements for Medical Protective Masks” standard. The filtration of aerodynamic median diameter (0.24 ± 0.06) μm sodium chloride aerosol under the condition of air flow (85 ± 2) L / min. The efficiency is not less than 95%, that is, it meets the N95 (or FFP2) and above levels. The suction resistance is under the above flow conditions, and the suction resistance does not exceed 343.2Pa (35mmH2O).
Medical-surgical masks comply with the YY 0469-2011 “Technical Requirements for Medical-Surgical Masks” standard. Under the condition of airflow (30 ± 2) L / min, the aerodynamic median diameter (0.24 ± 0.06) μm sodium chloride aerosol Filtration efficiency is not less than 30%; under specified conditions, the bacterial filtration efficiency is not less than 95% for S. aureus aerosols with an average particle diameter of (3 ± 0.3) μm, and the respiratory resistance is in the filtration efficiency flow condition Now, the inhalation resistance does not exceed 49Pa, and the exhalation resistance does not exceed 29.4Pa.
Ordinary medical masks meet the relevant registered product standards (YZB) or YY / T0969-2013 “disposable medical masks”, and generally lack the filtration efficiency requirements for particles and bacteria, or the filtration efficiency requirements for particles and bacteria are lower than medical-surgical masks And medical protective masks, suitable for general protection of medical personnel.
Recently we have seen many masks marked with different letters, such as KN95, N90, FFP2, etc., what are the differences between them?
According to the minimum filtering efficiency of the filter material, under the specified conditions, the ability of the mask body to remove particulate matter, the larger the value, the higher the protection level, and the larger the respiratory resistance. Masks can be divided into three levels, with a minimum filtration efficiency of 95% at level 95, a minimum filtration efficiency of 99% at level 99, and a minimum filtration efficiency of 99.97% at level 100.
According to the standard classification, the N marked on the mask represents the American standard, FFP is the European standard, and KN is the Chinese standard.
FFP European standard masks are certified by the European Standards Council respiratory protective gear. The standard is to divide the granular protective filter material into two types: solid particle protection and liquid particle protection. They are tested and classified with NaCL (sodium chloride) and DOP (paraffin oil) aerosols. The function is to adsorb harmful aerosols, including dust, fume, mist droplets, poisonous gases, and poisonous vapors, through the filter material, blocking them from being inhaled by humans. Qualified solid particle protection filter materials are divided into three levels of P1 (FFP1), P2 (FFP2), P3 (FFP3) according to the tested particle penetration rate. The minimum filtering effect of FFP1 is ≥80%, and the minimum filtering effect of FFP2 is ≥94%. , FFP3 minimum filtering effect ≥97%.
The American standard masks are classified by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) for the filter material and filtration efficiency of the masks. The US NIOSH 42CFR-84 standard has the highest recognition in the world. There are three types of filter materials according to the middle layer of the mask:
N is Not resistant to oil, which can protect non-oily suspended particles. For example, the oil fume produced by cooking is oily particulate matter, and the droplets produced by people speaking or coughing are not oily. Generally, non-oily particles refer to coal dust, cement dust, acid mist, microorganisms, and the like. In the haze pollution currently raging, suspended particles are mostly non-oily. The oily particles refer to oil fume, oil mist, and asphalt fume.
R is Resistant to oil, which can protect non-oily and oily suspended particles, but when used for oily particles, the use time should not exceed 8 hours.
P is the oil proof, which can protect non-oily and oily suspended particles. Compared with the R series, the P series is used for a relatively long time, according to the labels of different manufacturers.
This makes it easy to understand what a N95 mask is. The N95 mask is tested with 0.3 micron sodium chloride particles. The barrier rate must be more than 95%. When the wearer’s face is tightly tested, make sure that the air can pass in and out through the mask when it is close to the edge of the face. Only N95 certification numbers are issued for this test.
KN is a Chinese standard, and its detection method is the same as that of the United States. According to China ’s GB2626-2006 standard, masks are classified into KN and KP. And non-oily particles. The number after the letter represents the protection level of the mask, the larger the number.
What are the differences in the protective effects of these three standard masks?
How should the protection level be converted between three different standard masks? Obviously, the FFP of the European Union can filter non-oily and oily particles at the same time, while the US and China’s N and KN can only effectively filter non-oily particles. Therefore, their protective effect formula is roughly: FFP3> FFP2 = N95 = KN95> KN90
So which type of masks we should choose for coronavirus?
1. Ordinary medical masks are used to block the spray from the mouth and nasal cavity. They can be used for disposable sanitary care in ordinary medical environments with the lowest protection level. Suitable for general health care activities, such as sanitary cleaning, dosing, cleaning bed units, etc., or the blocking or protection of particles other than pathogenic microorganisms such as pollen.
The most effective role of the 95 mask is to prevent and control the spread of severe respiratory diseases such as SARS or influenza and the new coronavirus outbreak. Masks marked with KN95, N95, FFP2 and above are available.
2. Studies have shown that surgical masks are not inferior to KN95 / N95 masks in preventing influenza in the pre-defined range. Zhong Nanshan, the leader of the high-level expert group of the National Health and Health Commission against SARS, also said, “Actually, it is not necessary to wear N95 masks. General masks can block most of the droplets with viruses from entering the respiratory tract, preventing new coronavirus It is still useful to wear a mask. “So if you can’t buy a N95 mask, you can choose a general surgical mask.
3. At present, there are many types of masks on the market. The names of the masks, such as medical and protective, do not necessarily have the effects described. How do we judge? Regardless of whether it is a medical protective mask or a surgical medical mask, ordinary medical masks are medical devices and are included in the management of medical devices. The production and management of medical devices in China is very strict. Masks for medical device production license and medical device product registration certificate.
In addition, some mask types on the market implement the GB / T 32610 standard. This is the first national standard for civilian protective masks in the country. It is used to filter the air entering the nose and nose to prevent the entry of harmful gases, odors, and droplets. Apparatus for wearer’s nose and nose. It is mainly divided into cotton face mask, non-woven face mask, polymer material face mask, activated carbon powder filter face mask, activated carbon fiber felt face mask. Masks that implement civil standards do not belong to the medical field, but they also have a certain degree of protection. If you ca n’t buy a mechanical brand product, you can consider buying it.
4. When purchasing, you should also pay attention to the implementation standards of masks. Different implementation standards have different protection effects. Don’t just focus on the product name. If the implementation standard on the package is YY 0469-2011, this mask is a medical surgical mask, which will have a higher level of protection than ordinary medical masks. Ordinary medical masks generally implement relevant registered product standards (YZB) or YY / T0969. -2013.
By the way, here is the meaning of the implementation standards for medical devices:
- GB begins with national standards, which are divided into mandatory national standards and recommended national standards.
- YY begins with pharmaceutical industry standards, such as YY 0469-2011 “Technical Requirements for Medical Surgical Mask types.”
- YZB is a registered product standard for medical devices.
5.KN95 / N95 are divided into two mask types, one is a bio-proof mask, and the other is a dust-proof mask.
They have the same degree of protection but different standards of implementation. The standard for biological masks (medical KN95) is GB19083-2010 “Technical Requirements for Medical Protective Masks”, which is used in the medical and health industry, such as epidemic prevention stations, hospitals, and disease control centers. The standard for dust masks (KN95) is GB2626-2006 “Respiratory Protective Products Self-priming Filtering Anti-Particulate Matter Respirator”, which is used in industries such as coal mining, petroleum processing, mining and other industrial and mining enterprises.
If it is used by an individual in an ordinary environment, the standard that can be used is KN95 (if it is the U.S. standard N95) mask of GB2626-2006. If it is a medical institution or exposed to infected people, it is necessary to prevent flying caused by patient’s body fluid or blood splash If it is infected, you must use a KN95 mask that implements the GB19083-2010 standard.
In summary, in relatively high-risk environments, mask types that can effectively prevent respiratory infections are medical protective masks and medical surgical masks. Medical protective masks, also known as medical KN95, are suitable for wearing during fever clinics, isolation ward medical staff, and patients diagnosed during transfer. Medical surgical masks are suitable for wearing in suspected cases. They are worn by the staff of the Public Transport Division, taxis, drivers, sanitation workers, and service personnel in public places.
These two mask types belong to medical equipment. When the conditions permit, it is best to buy these two types of masks. How to distinguish between these two masks? The following process can be followed:
Look at the medical device registration number-determine that it is a medical device, see the implementation standards-the implementation of GB19083-2010 “Technical Requirements for Medical Protective Masks” is KN95 medical protective masks-implementation of YY 0469-2011 “Technical Requirements for Medical Surgical Masks” is medical Masks.
Under normal environment, the standard that can be implemented is KN95 / N95 (Chinese standard is KN, American standard is N) of GB2626-2006 / NIOSH 42CFR-84 and it is suitable for field investigation, sampling and testing. For personal use, the public can also wear it in places with high concentration of people or in closed public places.
Disposable medical masks that implement the YY / T0969-2013 standard can be used in public places where the public is not densely populated. Similarly, the one-time use of medical masks is a medical device. When purchasing, it is also to find the medical device registration number on the packaging-determine the medical device, see the implementation standards-implement YY / T0969-2013 “Single-use medical “Mask” is a disposable medical mask.
In a special period, a mask is hard to find. In fact, there are not many masks to choose from. Now it is easier to buy masks that implement the GB / T 32610 standard, or N90 masks, and non-mechanical disposable masks.
Best practices of using a mask:
- When used for the protection of oily particles, the cumulative use time of Type R does not exceed 8 hours; the cumulative use time of Type P does not exceed 40 hours, or 30 days from the start of use, whichever comes earlier.
- Protective masks cannot be washed, because washing will damage the filter material and mask structure of the masks; if they are not polluted and damaged, and they meet hygienic requirements, they can be considered for reuse.
- N95 mask is not a product trademark or brand. N95 is the lowest grade requirement of the United States NIOSH (National Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute) for the filtration efficiency level of anti-particulate respirators for occupational use in the United States, which refers to non-oily properties under the test conditions specified in the standard The particulate matter (such as dust, paint mist, acid mist, microorganisms, etc.) has a filtration efficiency of at least 95%.
- The higher the filtering efficiency of the mask, the greater the resistance to breathing. Therefore, wearing the N95 mask for a long time is not good for the body. Do not wear them for a long time.
- Regarding the frequency of mask replacement, there is no clear conclusion at present, and China has not made relevant regulations on the use time of masks. Some researchers have done relevant research on the protective efficiency and wearing time of KN95 medical protective masks. The results show that the filtering efficiency of KN95 masks is still above 95% for 2 days, and the respiratory resistance does not change much. The filtering efficiency is reduced to 94.7% after 3 days of wearing.