an intro guide · 2020-08-04 · an intro guide to face masks, respirators and fit testing there...

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AN INTRO GUIDETO FACE MASKS, RESPIRATORS AND FIT TESTING

What’s in a mask? Not all masks are the same.


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MASK / RESPIRATOR

COMPARISON CHART


WHAT'S IN A MASK?

SINGLE-USE Face Mask

SURGICAL Mask

RESPIRATOR Mask

Not all masks are the same. The chart below explains the filtration effectiveness of each type

of mask based on its standard.

Standards Filtration Effectiveness

China: YY 0469

USA: ASTM F2100

USA: NIOSH(42 CFR 84)

China: GB2626

Europe: EN 14683

3.0 Microns: Bacteria Filtration Efficiency standard (BFE).0.1 Microns: Particle Filtration Efficiency standard (PFE).0.3 Microns: Used to represent the most-penetrating particle size (MPPS),which is the most difficult size particle to capture.X: No requirements.

Europe: EN 149:2001

China: YY/T0969USA: No Standard

Exists

3.0 Microns: ≥ 95%0.1 Microns: X

3.0 Microns: ≥ 95%0.1 Microns: ≥ 30%

3.0 Microns: ≥ 95%0.1 Microns: ≥ 95%

3.0 Microns: ≥ 98%0.1 Microns: ≥ 98%

3.0 Microns: ≥ 98%0.1 Microns: ≥ 98%




0.3 Microns: ≥ 95% 0.3 Microns: ≥ 99% 0.3 Microns: ≥ 99.97%

Level 1 Level 2 Level 3

Type 1 Type 11 Type 111

N95 / KN95 N99 / KN99 N100 / KN100

0.3 Microns: ≥ 80%

0.3 Microns: ≥ 94% 0.3 Microns: ≥ 99%

FFP1 FFP2 FFP3

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THE FILTRATION EFFECTIVENESS OF

FACE MASKS:• Single-use face masks are only effective at capturing large dust particles because they are normally one layer and very thin. They are 95% effective for capturing 3.0 micron particles.

• Surgical face masks made to meet North American standards are able to capture 0.1 micron particles. As the 'What's in a Mask?' chart explains, these standards vary by region.

• Respirators like the N95 or KN95 are 95% effective at filtering particles that are 0.3 microns in size.


MASK STANDARDS VARY BY COUNTRY

Performance standards for respirators differ around the world. The United States, China, Australia, Korea, Japan and Europe all have

their own standards for testing respirators.

In Canada, we follow standards set out by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the United States-based federal agency for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related injury and illness.

The standards are outlined in CSA Z94.4-18: Selection, Uses and Care of Respirators.

Country Type of respiratorUnited States N-series masks (N95, N99 N100 | Not approved for oil mist atmospheres.) R-series masks (R95, R99, R100 | Approved for oil mist atmospheres up to 8 hours.) P-series masks (P95, P99, P100 | Approved for oil mist atmospheres.)Europe FFP1, FFP2, FFP3China KN95Korea Korea 1st ClassJapan DSAustralia/New Zealand P2

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95%effectiveness


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ARE KN95 AND N95 MASKS

EQUIVALENT?In a recent whitepaper from 3M, the respirator manufacturer stated:

“It is reasonable to consider China KN95, AS/NZ P2, Korea 1st Class, and Japan DS FFRs as “equivalent” to US NIOSH N95 and European FFP2 respirators, for filtering non-oil-based particles such as those resulting from… bioaerosols (e.g. viruses). However, prior to selecting a respirator, users should consult their local respiratory protection regulations and requirements or check with their local public health authorities for selection guidance.”

N95s and KN95s are both rated to capture 95% of particles.

KN95s respirators, just like N95s, must also be fit tested to ensure they offer the proper fit and protection.

A quantitative fit test measures the actual amount of leakage into the facepiece.

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RESPIRATOR FIT TESTING

OPTIONS:Single-use masks and surgical

masks do not require fit testing because they are not designed

to create a tight seal against your face.

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THERE ARE 2 TYPES OF RESPIRATOR FIT TESTS:

1. QUALITATIVE FIT TESTING: This method uses your sense of smell and taste or your reaction to an irritant to determine if the seal is good. If the person can smell or taste the challenge agent, the mask isn’t the right fit.

2. QUANTITATIVE FIT TESTING: This method uses a machine to count microscopic particles inside and outside the respirator to determine a fit factor based on the ratio of these two values.

Both tests require the user to perform a series of moving, breathing and talking exercises designed to simulate the same movements made in the field.

Quantitative fit testing is a numbers-driven test which is a more accurate representation of how effective your mask’s seal would be in the real world.

Qualitative fit testing is also an allowable method to fit test, however the best practices laid out during COVID-19 requires physical distancing. This is not as easily achieved with qualitative fit testing as it is with quantitative fit testing. A hood is worn by the person being fit tested but it is also recommended that the fit tester wear proper respiratory and face protection too.

THE STANDARD FOR SURGICAL MASKSThe American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) sets the standards for surgical masks and the standard is endorsed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States. Health Canada follows the recommendations of the FDA. ASTM F2100 is the standard used for the performance of materials used in surgical face masks.

There are 3 classifications for surgical masks:

Level 1low

Level 2moderate

Level 3high

VENOUS PRESSURE SPLASH ARTERIAL PRESSURE SPLASH HIGH-VELOCITY PROCEDURES, ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY

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The current standard ASTM F2100 specifies the performance requirements for

medical face masks with five criteria:

1. BACTERIAL FILTRATION EFFICIENCY (BFE): BFE measures bacterial filtration efficiency of medical face masks using Staphylococcus aureus as the challenge organism. The standard specifies S. aureus because it’s the leading cause of hospital infections.

2. PARTICULATE FILTRATION EFFICIENCY (PFE): PFE evaluates how well the mask filters particles at a sub-micro level.

3. FLUID RESISTANCE: Fluid resistance measures how well the mask limits fluid transfer from its outer layers to inner layers.

4. PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL (DELTA P): Delta P is an objective breathability test which measures the air flow resistance of a mask.

5. FLAME RESISTANCE: Hospital masks must withstand exposure to a burning flame for three seconds from a specific distance.

ADDITIONAL ISO CERTIFICATION: Medical face masks are tested for skin sensitivity and cytotoxicity to the international standard ISO 10993. These tests ensure the masks do not contain materials harmful to the wearer.

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DONNIG ANDREMOVING

PPE:There are important steps to take when donning

and removing PPE to limit contamination.

The order in which you don and remove PPE is critical to preventing contamination or infection.

an intro guide · 2020-08-04 · an intro guide to face masks, respirators and fit testing there...

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