How to Differentiate Between Medical Surgical Masks and N95?

Medical surgical masks and medical protective masks N95 can play the function of preventing infectious diseases

Protection performance: medical protective masks (N95) > medical surgical masks > single-use medical masks.

Distinguish between medical surgical masks and general single-use medical masks

• Medical surgical mask

  How to identify: marked as "surgical", corresponding to the standard YY 0469-2011, features: three layers, the outer layer of water resistance (to prevent blood, body fluids splash), the middle layer of filtration, the inner layer of moisture absorption.

  
  

Note: We usually go to public places to wear this can be, wear the correct can be effective protection. But not close contact with infected people.

• Ordinary medical masks

  How to identify: not marked "surgical", only "medical" "care" and other words, corresponding to the standard YY / T0969-2013

  
  

Note: Can not achieve effective protection such as medical surgical masks, in fact, the recent medical masks that we buy are of this type. Let's just say, it's better than nothing!

• Disposable ordinary masks

  How to identify: ordinary "anti-haze" "anti-bacteria" "activated carbon" masks, color varies, some colors and styles similar to medical masks, but not the same protective effect.

Note: It is not that these masks are not good, but each has its own use. They are not effective in preventing influenza. It is not recommended to choose.

Medical protective masks N95

N95 includes medical protective masks and dust masks, here we need medical protective masks, more recognized is 3M brand model N95 1860 and 9132, for blue-green medical protective masks (other models such as gray, white more industrial dust masks).

N95 level 1860, 9132 medical protective masks, and other N95 industrial dust masks difference?

N95 masks: "N" means not suitable for oily particles (such as frying oil and smoke); "95" means 95% filtration efficiency under NIOSH standard.

N95 is not a specific product name, as long as the product meets the N95 standard and passes the NIOSH review, it can be called "N95 type mask".

Medical protective masks have an extra layer of green hydrophobic protection on the outer surface to protect against minor liquid or blood splash penetration; more bacteria compliance tests (hospital requirements for medical device products themselves).

The difference between KN95 and N95

KN95 is one of the levels specified in Chinese standard GB2626-2006, and N95 is one of the levels specified in American standard 42 CFR 84. The technical requirements and test methods of these two levels are basically the same, and the filtration efficiency reaches 95% under the corresponding standard.

The effective time limit of the mask

The effective time limit of disposable is 4 hours, and the protection time limit of medical grade is 6h~8h, but due to the difference of using environment, the pollution speed is accelerated, generally within 3 hours.

Derived reading

Common medical masks can be divided into three types: the highest level of protection "medical protective masks", the operating room and other invasive operating environment commonly used "medical surgical masks", and the general level of "single-use medical masks ".

Medical surgical masks generally have three layers: waterproof layer, filter layer and comfort layer from outside to inside, and the comfort layer is a layer of gauze, which can block 70% of pathogenic bacteria.

Ordinary level medical masks: more names, no "protection", "surgical" words on the name, this level of mask does not require a barrier effect on blood, there is no tightness requirements, so only for ordinary medical environment wear use.

Some cotton gauze masks: the material may be cotton, gauze, wool, canvas and velvet, etc. Because the material itself is not dense enough, it cannot prevent infection and can only block 36% of pathogenic bacteria.

Common medical protective masks are arch-shaped, butterfly-shaped, etc.; medical surgical masks are strap type, ear-hanging type, etc.; ordinary medical masks are mostly ear-hanging type, and the appearance is more similar to ear-hanging surgical masks.

In addition to the need for good filtering materials, protective masks should also have good shape design and nose clip design: the better the mask fits the wearer's face, the better the protection effect is, so that pollutants can be prevented from entering the mouth and nose from the edges of the mask, especially the gaps on both sides of the nose. So when wearing the mask, the nose clip at the bridge of the nose should be pressed tightly, and the length of the mask band should be adjusted appropriately so that the mask fits the face as much as possible.

When wearing medical masks should choose the right level type according to the type of pollutant transmission, risk, not too high and not too low. Although medical protective masks with high protection level have better protection effect, the respiratory resistance is also higher due to the high level of filter material and good fit, so wearing them for a long time will increase the respiratory burden and cause breathing difficulties and other discomfort.

Medical surgical masks and medical protective masks can block the pollution caused by blood and body fluid splashing, but if you really need to block the pollution of airborne particles and pathogenic microorganisms, please choose to wear medical protective masks.