Do Masks Really Work? Classification & Selection

Since the coronavirus pandemic swept the world, masks have been widely used to protect against respiratory infections. It is required for both healthcare workers and laboratory personnel. But is any mask useful? No! Its effectiveness is based on choosing the right type and wearing it properly. HappynCare will introduce you to the effectiveness of masks, the different types, and how to choose the right one.

Mask Effectiveness

Since the invention of masks, there have been a lot of statistics and data collection to prove their role in preventing respiratory viral infections. Respiratory viruses are usually spread by droplets, and masks can significantly reduce the risk of illness through contact with droplets. In fact, the mask provides mutual protection. It can filter both the particulate matter in the inhaled air and the breath exhaled by the wearer. During the pandemic, wearing a mask is not only to protect yourself, but also to protect others. The use of masks is strongly recommended when contact with others is unavoidable, such as at social gatherings or when caring for patients as a medical staff.

Classifications

Each type of mask has its specific occasion and function. And choosing the right mask according to your needs can better protect yourself and others.

Non-medical masks

Cloth Masks

Cloth masks are widely used in daily life and are usually made of multiple layers of fabric, which are not breathable. The filtration efficiency of cloth masks varies depending on the material and the number of layers. It is generally lower than that of medical masks, but is still effective at blocking most droplets and particles. Cloth masks can be washed and reused, which is more economical and environmentally friendly than disposable masks. But please pay attention to cleaning and disinfection. Cloth masks are only suitable for daily use, such as walking, shopping, etc. They are not suitable for using in high-risk environments and medical settings.

Activated Charcoal Masks

Activated carbon has a large surface area and porous structure, which is able to adsorb gases and particulate matter. Activated carbon masks are usually made of a non-woven outer layer that provides structural support and internal filtration. Activated carbon filtration is used to enhance the protection effect. It is often used to protect the users from pollutants, odors, and harmful gases. Most activated charcoal masks are designed to be single-use and should be disposed after use. It is suitable for environments with strong odors or dust, such as bus stops, construction sites, landfills, etc., and cannot be used for medical purposes.

Medical Masks

General Surgical Masks

A general surgical mask is used in medical and hygienic settings, mainly to prevent droplet transmission and provide basic respiratory protection. It is also single-use, and should be discarded after use. Generally, surgical masks usually consist of a waterproof layer (to block droplets and liquids), a filter layer (to filter bacteria and particles), and a moisture absorbent layer (to absorb moisture produced when breathing). Surgical masks are able to filter most airborne bacteria and particulate matter, and are widely used in public settings during the pandemic, as well as in general medical settings. However, higher-risk medical settings require a higher level of protective masks, also known as respirators.

Protective Respirators

Masks with the highest level of protection are generally referred to as respirators, such as N95, N99, FFP2, etc. Respirators are effective at blocking fine particles in the air, such as dust, smoke, and bacteria. It is commonly used in industrial settings (chemical plants, construction sites, mines, etc.) as well as in high-risk medical settings (infectious disease wards and operating rooms). Workers in high-risk environments are required to wear respirators to protect themselves. Before wearing a protective respirator, it must pass fit test. Users should receive appropriate training on how to properly wear and remove the respirators.
NASK has developed N95, N99 and FFP2 medical-grade protective respirators with patented nanofiber sterilization technology. Unlike traditional respirators, which rely on multi-layer filtration, NASK respirators not only achieve 99% filtration efficiency, but also actively kill 99% of pathogens. Breaking through the breathability limit, it is ultra-thin and comfortable, suitable for long-time wear. NASK is trusted by lots of medical staff during the COVID epidemic.

Selection

Faced with a wide variety of masks, how should you choose? When purchasing masks, please mainly consider the three indicators of filtration, sterilization effectiveness and breathability. It is better to choose well-known brands and certified products to ensure quality and protection.

Filterability

Evaluate the appropriate filtration level based on the environment risk, such as medical, industrial or everyday use. If you buy a medical-grade mask, please remember to check whether it has international certification marks such as NIOSH or BSI to ensure its safety.
• N95: Filters at least 95% of non-oily particles, making them suitable for medical and high-risk environments.
• N99: Filters at least 99% of non-oily particles, making them suitable for medical and high-risk environments.
• Surgical masks: Mainly used to prevent the spread of droplets, the filtration effect is relatively low, and it is only suitable for general medical environments.
• Activated carbon masks: mainly used to adsorb gases and odors, and have a weak ability to filter particulate matter.
• Cloth mask: It can block most droplets and large particles, and is only suitable for daily use.
NASK nanofiber respirators have been certified by international organizations such as NIOSH, EU, BSI, SGS, etc. Its filtration efficiency can reach 99%. Please buy with confidence~

Breathability

As is often the case, exhaled air and water vapor cannot be expelled in time and gather inside the mask. It may feel uncomfortable to wear the mask for a long time. Thus, users may unconsciously remove the mask to breathe, but this reduces the effectiveness of protection. Therefore, it is crucial to choose a mask with good breathability.
• Simple test: After wearing a mask, try to exhale gently and feel the air circulation.
• Nose bridge strip: Make sure the mask fits snugly on the face to reduce air leakage while maintaining good breathability.
• Breathable valve: Masks with valve design can effectively expel water vapor and heat without feeling pressure or discomfort when worn. However, the user's exhaled breath is not filtered, which cannot prevent the virus from spreading to others. There is a risk of cross-infection.
NASK nanofiber respirator has 3D design with adjustable nose bridge strip to maximize the conformity of the face. The nanofiber layer is light and breathable, and can maintain good breathability without a ventilation valve. It is suitable for long-term wear and eliminates the drawbacks of the vent valve not being able to filter the exhaled air.

Sterilization

If you need to stay in high-risk environments (e.g., hospitals, infectious disease areas), it is best to choose respirators with sterilizing function to ensure protection. However, most respirators focus on filtration rather than active sterilization. There are not many respirators on the market with sterilization capabilities. Some respirators use an antimicrobial coating to inhibit bacterial growth. However, antimicrobial is not sterilization, and simply reducing bacterial growth is not equal to killing bacteria at the root. NASK patented nanofiber surface layer kills 99% of bacteria, fungi and viruses in less than 5 minutes, providing the highest level of security.

Facing with current global public health challenges, the use of respirators is even more important. It is not only an effective means to protect oneself from the virus, but also social responsibility for the health of others. NASK works with you to develop good protective habits and contribute to a safer living environment. Each small action comes together into a powerful protective net to protect the common health and future.