Common Face Masks and Their Characteristics

Common masks are common masks (such as paper masks, activated carbon masks, cotton masks, sponge masks, gauze masks, etc.), medical masks, medical surgical masks, medical protective masks (such as N95 masks, KN95 masks, etc.).

1.      Ordinary masks can be washed repeatedly. Saliva will remain on the part of the face mask that touches the mouth and nose. If you don’t wash it, it will easily breed bacteria, which does not meet the hygienic requirements. The fibers of cotton masks are generally thick and cannot effectively filter smaller particles, and most of them have not passed the international safety certification, and the protection effect is not guaranteed.

2.      The medical protective mask (N95) has a good fit with the wearer's face, can filter particles in the air, block pollutants such as droplets, blood, body fluids, secretions, etc., and can filter 95% of non-oily particles. The above are personal protective equipment commonly used to deal with airborne diseases.

3.      Medical surgical masks are medical masks commonly used in operating rooms and other environments where there is a risk of body fluids and blood splashes. They can block blood and body fluids from passing through the mask to contaminate the wearer. At the same time, the filtration efficiency of bacteria is more than 95%, but the filtration efficiency of particles is limited. Most of them have a rectangular design, and the tightness with the face is not as tight as that of medical protective masks. Common medical surgical masks are strap-on, ear-hook, etc.

Ordinary-grade medical masks have many names. Medical masks without the words "protection" and "surgical" are ordinary-grade medical masks. This level of masks does not require blood blocking or adhesion requirements. Therefore, it is only used for general medical environment. Common common medical masks are mostly ear-hook, and the appearance is similar to ear-hook surgical masks.