What is the difference between medical masks, nursing masks, surgical masks, and protective masks?

People all over the world are concerned about masks: "medical masks," "medical nursing masks," "medical-surgical masks", "medical protective masks "... There are also "N95", "KN95", and even "FFP2", etc... It is not a mess, do not worry, this article has been prepared for a long time; I hope to provide some help in purchasing and purchasing masks!

First of all, let's talk about the categories of masks.

Medical masks are mainly divided into medical protective masks, medical-surgical masks, available medical masks, etc.

Non-medical masks are mainly divided into protective masks, dust masks, available masks, etc.

For this new coronavirus outbreak

Priority to medical surgical masks and N95 masks (medical protective masks)

1： Medical-surgical mask

The medical-surgical mask is divided into three layers. The outer layer has a water-blocking effect of preventing droplets from entering the inside of the show. The middle layer has a filtering effect, and the inner layer has a moisture-absorbing impact. It is suitable for the necessary protection of medical personnel or related personnel and to stop the spread of blood, body fluids, and splashes during invasive operations. Buy this type of mask to pay attention to the packaging will have "medical-surgical mask" or the standard for YY-0469-2011

2: N95 protective masks

Chinese standard is: KN class, KP class, the protection level is 90 95 100.

American standard is N, R, P class, protection level 95 99 100.

EU EN149 standard: FFP1, FFP2, FFP3, protection class 80 94 97.

......

Although the two countries are not the same in name, KN95 and N95 effects are the same. The impact of KP100 and P100 is also the same. I do not care whether KN95 or N95, as long as the qualified product protection effect is the same.

Industrial dustproof class N95 and KN95 are anti-non-oil particles, while medical N95 is a medical protective mask (not only anti-particle but also a need to prevent body fluids.)

3: Medical protective masks (national standard GB 19083-2003)

Medical protective masks must have both the main functions of surgical masks, including bacterial filtration efficiency and the process of blocking liquid splashes with pressure, and have respiratory protection, that is, to protect the wearer's respiratory safety. And the particle filtration efficiency performance of medical protective masks should be higher than that of medical surgical masks. Medical masks are not allowed to have exhalation valves.

4：Ordinary mask

Ordinary masks have limited protective effects and cannot be used as the first choice, especially since the activated carbon mask has an apparent protective effect on formaldehyde and other harmful substances. Still, the protection against viruses is not enough.

Currently, on the market, it is more comfortable to confuse medical surgical masks and ordinary medical masks or disposable masks YY-0469 on surgical masks with requirements for bacterial filtration performance. Generally, the filtration efficiency of non-oily particles should reach more than 30%. The filtration efficiency of bacteria should get more than 95%, disposable medical masks are ordinary medical masks, and the level of protection is low, generally lack filtration of particles and bacteria. The protection level is low and typically lacks the filtration efficiency requirements for particles and bacteria. The filtration efficiency requirements for particles and bacteria are lower than those for medical surgical masks and medical protective masks.

Recognize the word "surgical," only medical surgical masks

The following chart is the ordinary medical mask and disposable mask. A medical-surgical cover is very similar, but the protective effect is much different, in the absence of N95 and medical-surgical mask premise can also be used, the reason why we do not recommend that you buy it is to hope that we do not be lousy business deception, initially buy a medical-surgical mask, buy a regular show.

How to find out if the purchased medical surgical mask is genuine?

1. Simple visual proof.

If you buy yourself a whole box of masks, you may want to cut one to see if it has the correct three layers.

The three layers of a surgical mask should be.

- The outer blue-colored water-repelling non-woven layer

- The white middle melt blown filter

- The inner white soft, absorbent non-woven layer

The material should be sturdy and not easy to tear, like tissue paper.

2. Breathing test.

Chen Da Hong, a medical doctor from Singapore, showed on his YouTube channel the non-destructive and straightforward way to test whether the mask has a filter that melts and breaks in the middle.

He used a lighter to show that you can't put out a fire with an excellent triple surgical mask no matter how hard you blow.

With a fake surgical mask, his breath passed quickly, and it was easy to put out the fire.

He explained that the mask's inner filter should be able to absorb the droplets from the wearer's mouth electrically, and therefore would not pass through the layers of the show.

3. Lighter test.

The final test also requires the use of a lighter, but it can damage the mask.

Zeff, a pharmacist, told CNA that the mask's filter is made of polyethylene, polypropylene, and other plastics, so burning the show with a lighter will melt it.

By contrast, he said, fake masks catch fire and produce sparks because they are usually replaced by paper compounds.

Academician Zhong Nanshan said：

It is not necessary to wear an N95

Because these viruses

It is often found in droplets.

Then ordinary masks

Surgical masks, etc.

He can block most of the

So I think wearing a mask is still useful.

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