Disposable face masks are worn by operators for two primary reasons.
1] Face masks to protect the product or process from breath and facial debris.
Many products and processes need to be protected from the operator working in proximity. Droplets and moisture particles exhaled from the nose and mouth must be kept isolated. Particulate from makeup and other facial debris also need to be excluded. The inherent cleanliness of these materials does not introduce additional contamination in the form of particulates.
2] Face masks to protect the wearer from exhaled airborne bacteria.
The morbid spectacle during the SARS crisis impacted on people's perceptions of the dangers of air borne virus and bacteria. Surgical Face masks were worn extensively during the SARS crisis. Transmission is by air borne droplets exhaled through the nose, mouth or eyes. The face masks prevent wet particles from being emitted from the mouth and nose when sneezing and coughing preventing the spread of airborne particles. The effect of wearing these face masks is to "put your hand over your mouth when sneezing"
Effective face mask have three barrier layers. This usually comprise of a first layer of 25 gsm PP inner layer of 20 gsm Meltblown and outer layer of 14 gsm PP. The layers of face mask PP are cloth like making them comfortable to wear, resist mould and mildew, have excellent filter characteristics and are lightweight and breathable. The face masks layer of Meltblown has a high level of absorbency, wet strength and is a good barrier to microscopic particles. Good face masks block air borne particles and have a bacterial efficiency of greater than 99.8%. These face masks would offer better barrier protection than the standard N95 surgical face masks providing only 95% bacterial efficiency. The pores in the face masks N98 masks are around 0.3 microns and virus are 0.7 microns and larger thereby providing a physical barrier to passage. The face masks are accredited to EN ISO 13488:2000.
Face masks with detachable eye shields also provide limited splash and spray protection to the eyes. These Face Masks are ideal where additional protection is required to the eyes from mists, general non hazardous sprays and splashes. They are not designed to be used as a replacement for safety spectacles but provide a low cost and convenient alternative. When the face mask becomes soiled it can be replaced with a fresh new one. These Face Masks with Eye Shield also offer protection to the eyes being a receptor from non hazardous air borne droplets.
Face masks have two preferred methods of attachment. Ear loops, which have elastic strips which fit behind the ears and ties which are simply ribbons which are tied at the back of the head, both methods work well, although the tie method is more suitable for small heads as in the case of children.
Face masks should not be worn more than once. During wear face masks become soiled during the filtering process, if these face masks are removed and left on the bench and worn again they may pick up additional contaminants. Used face masks should be disposed of in an approved manner. This issue should be considered when determining how many disposable face masks to purchase; it is not uncommon to use 10 Face Masks a day.
Other reading on Face Masks, SARS.
Sign In
My Account