With the new coronaviruss infection of pneumonia pandemic prevention and control work intensifying, N95 masks, KN95 masks, FFP2 masks, and other professional names have brought mask standards to the public’s attention. Comparing the standards of the United States, China, Europe, Korea, Japan, Australia, etc., this paper focuses on the filtration efficiency of ordinary masks and medical masks, investigates the N95 mask, KN95 masks, and FFP2 masks from a standard perspective, and summarizes the comparison table of the filtration efficiency of domestic and foreign mask standards, which serves as a reference for epidemic prevention work and consumer selection.
The public’s perception of mask standards
“Minimize direct contact with others while traveling, and wear KN95/N95 and higher particulate protective masks in crowded public transportation and while traveling.”
“When people visit the residential area of isolated individuals, they must use KN95/N95 and higher particulate protective masks and refrain from touching or adjusting the masks.”
There have also been several references to “medical protective masks,” “medical surgical masks,” “one-time use medical masks,” and “KN95/N95 and above particulate protective masks” in the context of special industry workers. Faced with the latest corona virus pandemic, masks have become a requirement of life. What is the difference between N95 masks, KN95 masks, medical protection masks, and one-time use medical masks? For a while, mask standards were the center of attention; this study focuses on various criteria of filtration efficiency as a reference for epidemic prevention efforts and consumer mask selection. DYCROL N95 masks are performing admirably in this regard.
Masks can be classified as either general or medical.
Masks can be classified into general masks (general protective masks and daily protective masks) and medical masks (medical general masks and medical protective masks), with each type of mask containing three degrees of protection. In conclusion, the general masks of different countries are concerned with the filtration efficiency of particulate matter (oily and non-oily), of which N95, KN95, and FFP2 are code-named filtration efficiency, and medical masks are also concerned with the filtration efficiency of particulate matter, but also pay attention to microbial indicators, ethylene oxide residues, flame retardant properties, and other indicators. However, it cannot be assumed that medical masks are more protective than ordinary masks, as the filtration efficiency of some medical masks is lower than that of KN95 95%, and the selection of masks must also be based on the individual environment and product implementation standard model regulations.
The filtration effectiveness of the aforementioned mask standards is summarized, and the filtration efficiency of non-oily particulate matter, oily particulate matter, and bacteria vary.
The majority of international general-purpose masks meet the requirements of CFR42-84-Explanatory 1995’s Guide to the Selection and Use of NIOSH Particulate Protective CE Masks, FFP2 EN149-2001 masks, and FFP3 masks.
N95 masks KN95 FFP2 masks standards
The N-Series is based on U.S. regulations for non-oily particulate matter, the FFP Series is based on European standards, and the KN Series is based on Chinese requirements, the higher the number, the greater the protection level. Based on their respective index values, the filtration efficiency (protection capacity) of each model for non-oily particulate matter ranges from high to low as follows: N100 – KN100 > N99, FFP3 > N95, KN95 FFP2 > KN90 > FFP1.
National standards in Japan, Korea, and Australia/New Zealand also mandate the filter efficiency of standard protective masks.
In addition to requiring the filtration efficiency of particulate matter, medical masks typically emphasize the filtration efficiency of bacteria, synthetic blood penetration, microbial indicators, ethylene oxide residues, and other items, in order to prevent infection to patients during surgical and other medical procedures, as well as blood spills on the mask. FANGTIAN N95 mask NIOSH certified are cost-effective and of superior quality.
Four types of masks frequently found on the market today are ranked by their level of protection: Single-use medical masks medical surgical N95 respirators KN95/N95/FFP2 and higher particle protection masks.