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The Differences between FFP Respirators and Surgical Masks
Since certain disposable filtering facepiece, particulate respirators are similar in appearance to many surgical masks (also known as medical), their differences are not always well understood. However, respirators and surgical masks are very different in intended use, fit against the face, wear time, testing and approval. Even some surgical masks that appear similar to respirators may have not been designed to help protect the wearer from airborne hazards; therefore, they should not be considered an equivalent substitute to government-approved respirators.
In Europe, the testing for each is as follows:
Surgical Masks
The primary purpose of a surgical mask is to help prevent biological particles from being expelled by the wearer into the immediate environment. Surgical masks are also typically designed to be fluid resistant to splash and splatter of blood and other infectious materials and not necessarily for filtration efficiency. Surgical masks are not necessarily designed to seal tightly to the face, and therefore the potential of air leakage around the edges exists. This type of mask is designed to limit the expulsion of fluids, droplets and particles when breathing, speaking, coughing or sneezing. It DOES NOT offer any respiratory protection to the wearer for incoming fluids, droplets or particles.
3 TYPES:
Type I surgical face masks are used to help reduce the risk of the spread of infections via the droplet route (either worn by patients and healthcare workers) - they do not have resistance to fluids.
Type II surgical face masks are principally intended for use by healthcare professionals in an operating room or other medical settings with similar requirements but do not have resistance to fluids.
Disposable filtering facepiece particulate (FFP) respirators are designed to help reduce the wearer’s exposure to airborne particles. They are designed to offer high levels of particle filtration and to seal tightly to the wearer’s face, therefore, reducing the potential of air leaking into the wearer’s breathing zone from around the edges of the respirator. Respirators are available offering different levels of filtration efficiency and face seal leakage.
Disposable filtering facepiece particulate (FFP) respirators are designed to help reduce the wearer’s exposure to airborne particles. They are designed to offer high levels of particle filtration and to seal tightly to the wearer’s face, therefore, reducing the potential of air leaking into the wearer’s breathing zone from around the edges of the respirator. Respirators are available offering different levels of filtration efficiency and face seal leakage
| Disposable FFP Respirators | Surgical Masks |
| Designed to help protect the wearer from exposure to airborne particles |
Designed to help protect the sterile environment from wearer generated particles |
| Designed to seal tightly to the wearer's face |
Designed to help protect the sterile environment from wearer generated particles |
| Different classes offer different levels of protection |
Not necessarily designed to seal tightly to the face, and so air leakage around the edges is likely |
| Some respirators are certified as both respirators and surgical masks |
Some types offer fluid resistance to liquid splash |
| Require face fit testing and wearer to be clean shaven |
Surgical masks are not Personal Protective Equipment as defined in the PPE Regulations |
| Respirators are Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) |
What you Need to Know
Surgical masks are intended to help put a barrier between the wearer and the work environment or sterile field. They may help keep spit and mucous generated by the wearer from reaching a patient or medical equipment. They can also be used as a fluid barrier to help keep blood splatter from reaching the wearer’s mouth and nose.
However, surgical masks cannot provide certified respiratory protection unless they are also designed, tested, and government-certified as a respirator. If a wearer wants to reduce inhalation of airborne particles, they need to obtain and properly use a government-certified respirator, such as a FFP2 or FFP3 filtering facepiece particulate respirator.
- Always wash your hands before donning your mask, and avoid touching it while in use
- When surgical masks become wet it is recommended that they are replaced immediately and disposed of in a hygenic way
- All masks are only e cient in use when worn correctly, undamaged and kept clean
- Surgical masks and disposable FFP masks are non-reusable
- FFP Respirators only create a face seal when the wearer is clean shaven
- FFP masks much be Face Fit tested by certified personnel to be sure they are worn/fit correctly, and with each use must be fit checked by the wearer
Disposing of your Used Masks
Remove your mask from the straps not the facepiece, discard of the mask in a closed bin, and do not handle someone else’s mask. It is advised to no re-use single use (NR) masks. Make sure to ALWAYS wash your hands after removing and disposing of the mask.