It is well known to us that face masks come in many different shapes and sizes. Every situation requires a different face mask. For example, civil masks are extremely suitable for on the street and in public transport. Type II masks are suitable for protection that does not involve fluids, where the Type IIR does offer protection against fluids. A FFP2 mask is actually used in situations where the chance of infection is high and a contamination often already has been determined. It is therefore a medical face mask, also called respirator mask, intended for medical personnel.
Is an FFP2 mouth mask medical or not?
An FFP2 mouth mask is a mask that is mainly used in healthcare. The reason for this is because the FFP2 offers great protection to the person wearing this type of face mask. In addition to the high degree of particle filtration, it is also resistant to liquids such as saliva and blood. At the beginning of Sars-CoV2 – better known as COVID-19 – these masks were therefore only intended for healthcare. Today you see more and more people walking on the street with an FFP2 mouth mask and this is because these are well stocked today. With an FFP2 mouth mask you offer yourself an even higher degree of protection. Is it smart to do? Only as long as our medical personnel will not be in need for them.
What does FFP stand for?
FFP is an abbreviation and stands for Filtering Facepiece Particle. Based on which type of FFP1, FFP2 or FFP3, the masks are provided with a CE marking. They only get this when the product has been tested based on the NEN-EN 149 + A1 standard. In the heyday of the corona crisis, the rules were relaxed in order to meet the high demand during that period. It is therefore possible that you see face masks online and in stores that do not have the correct quality mark on the mask, but still meet all the requirements.
What is the difference between FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3?
After FFP come the degrees of protection. There are three degrees. Each gradation represents the Particle Filtration Efficiency (PPE). In other words, how well are particles filtered by the face mask. An FFP1 must filter at least 80%, with an FFP2 this is at least 94% and the highest grade is the FFP3 which must filter at least 99%. The type of gradation is chosen based on the type of contamination.
FFP1: used for infections where large drops are released during coughing and talking and rarely travel a long distance by air;
FFP2: is used for smaller droplets that can travel a longer distance via air;
FFP3: this type of face mask is used when it concerns very fine particles that need to be filtered.
Anteo Medical Supplies
Anteo Medical Supplies is a manufacturer and supplier of personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare, among others. These articles are just informational for the reader on how in the use of face masks.