The Differences between FFP Respirators and Surgical Masks

Since certain disposable filtering face piece particulate respirators are similar in appearance to many surgical (also known as medical) masks, 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:

EN 149:2001+A1:2009 (filtering facepieces) approved to the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Regulations

EN 14683:2019 (surgical mask) standards approved to the Medical Device Directive^1,2,3,4

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.

Types IIR surgical masks are principally intended for use by healthcare professionals in an operating room or other medical settings with similar requirements. They have resistance to fluids and droplets (as tested to EN14683:2019) and will have a Declaration of Conformity to the Medical Devices Directive (MDD) 93/42/EEC and a supporting test report.

FFP Respirators

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. 

3 TYPES:

FFP1 masks are low filtration efficiency - minimum 80% filtration

FFP2 masks are medium filtration efficiency - minimum 94% filtration

FFP3 masks are high filtration efficiency - minimum 99% filtration

Exhale valves provide comfort during wear and help to prevent moisture build up within the facepiece.

Summary of Key Differences

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 ecient 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.