Essential Info on Disposable Masks and Respirators
A disposable mask is a great companion during chemical cleanups, medical procedures, and medical treatments. Asides these, disposable masks are important when trying to control air-borne infections. They are designed to be used just once after which they should be disposed of.
Immediately you notice that the mask is loose or ill-fitting or it has become soiled, you remove and dispose of it. There are so many questions surrounding the use and disposal of masks. In this post, we will answer these questions and also show you the different types of disposable masks. （Learn More: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surgical_mask）
Types of masks
In this section, we present different types of masks along with certain specific characteristics. After reading through this section, you should know what disposable mask you need.
| CHARACTERISTIC | FACE MASK (PAPER OR CLOTH MASKS) | SURGICAL MASK | N95 RESPIRATOR | SURGICAL N95 RESPIRATOR |
| Is it for medical purposes? | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Purposes | Helps to protect the environment from the different particles you spill. Such particles are released when you talk, cough, or sneeze. | Helps to protect others from the large particles you expel when you are sick. It is also used in form of a physical barrier protecting you from droplets of body fluid and blood. | Saves you from the risk of inhaling or coming in contact with very small particles in the air. It may not be potent in protecting direct liquid and spray splashes. | Mixes the protection capabilities of both an N95 respirator and a surgical mask. Protects against both large and small particles and body fluids. Examples of these include blood, droplets of aerosols, and particles produced from sneezing and coughing. |
| Fit | Is not tightly fitted. | Is not tightly fitted. | Tight fit. | Tight fit. |
| Filtration efficiency | Is not tightly fitted. | Has a bacterial filtration efficiency that is above 95%. | Has a minimum filtration capacity of 95% against aerosols that are particulate in nature. This is about 0.3 microns in size and must be free from oil. | Has a minimum filtration capacity of 95% against aerosols that are particulate in nature. This is about 0.3 microns in size and must be free from oil. |
| Fluid resistance or resistance to body fluid penetration | Does not resist body fluids. | Resists body fluids. | Hasn’t been tested against body fluids. | Tested and proven to be resistant to fluids. |
Correct way to wear your mask
To be sincere, many individuals don’t know how to wear a disposable mask properly. It is not just picking up the mask and hanging it over your nose and mouth. If you don’t wear the mask properly, you are still at risk of being infected with disease. If you need disposable surgical mask, click https://www.trendebut.com.
In this section, we will look at how to wear masks and respirators correctly.
| STEP | SURGICAL OR FACE MASK | SURGICAL N95 RESPIRATOR |
| Step 1 | Make use of water and soap to wash your hands. | Make use of water and soap to wash your hands. |
| Step 2 | Place the mask over your mouth and nose. After this, stretch it over the chin gently. | Pick a respirator that fits your face perfectly. |
| Step 3 | Apply gentle pressure to the metal wire that is affixed to the upper part of the mask. Do this to press the mask directly over the nose bridge. This way, you attain a perfect fit on the face. | Put your respirator over your mouth, nose, and chin. |
| Step 4 | Never take off the mask while coughing or sneezing. | Fit the flexible nosepiece just above the nose bridge. |
| Step 5 | Once you notice that the mask is soiled, wet, or damaged you should take the mask off. The same goes for a situation where you are finding it difficult to breathe with the mask on. | Use elastic and ties to secure the respirator's head. Ensure that you adjust the respirator until it fits your face properly. |
| Step 6 | Immediately you take off the mask, wash your hands using soap and clean water. | Inhale and exhale to check the fit of the respirator. The respirator is meant to collapse when you inhale. When you exhale, look out for leaks around the edges of the mask. |
Rules to help you use masks more effectively
Certain people complain that they still fell victim to infections after using masks. It wasn’t that the masks weren’t good, they probably didn’t use them properly. Let’s share a few rules to guide you in the proper use of masks.
Dos
- Check to see that the mask or respirator you pick is appropriate for your face. The best way to do this is to check in line with the content of the instructions of the mask.
- Learn how to take off contaminated or used masks properly. Improper removal puts you at risk of infecting your face, hands, and any other surfaces. When taking off the mask, remember that you should only touch the straps. As soon as you take off the mask, wash your hands using soap and clean water.
- Whenever you are wearing a mask, limit how much you talk. This way, you can extend the effective life of the mask.
Don’ts
- There is just one major rule here. Never reuse a mask or respirator. Once you take it off, dispose of it immediately. This is because they are contaminated already.
Buying your masks and respirators
There are so many dubious websites claiming to sell quality masks. Usually, this is just a farce so it is best you stick to known sellers. If you prefer to, you can walk into any medical store to pick up masks or respirators. This way, you are double-sure of what you are buying.
Respirators and Masks for children
Children shouldn’t use respirators because they weren’t designed for them. They are likely going to be ill-fitted because of the face size of children. As a result, the child is placed at risk of infection. We recommend that you use surgical masks for your kids for optimal protection.
Conclusion
So far, we have shown you how to wear a disposable mask and a few rules guiding how to use it. We have also given you a list of different types of masks and what they are used for. Do you still have any questions? Ask them in the comments section. (If you want to know more, please visit https://www.trendebut.com.)
