Roskachestvo told the Russians how to choose an effective medical mask and what types of supposedly protective products are absolutely useless in the fight against viruses. The corresponding article appeared on the organization’s website on Wednesday, April 22.
Experts note that the effectiveness of medical masks as a means of protection is constantly checked during state registration. These products protect the wearer not only from getting the virus, but also protect others if the mask is put on by a sick person.
Modern disposable medical masks, according to the organization, are made of three-layer SMS material. First there is a layer of “spunbond”, then “meltblown”, and then again “spunbond”. This material does not pass any biologically active liquids, or chemical compositions and fats, as it has high absorbent properties.
The effectiveness of medical masks is described in GOST R 58396-2019. Products are divided into two types depending on the effectiveness of bacterial filtration.
The first type is intended for patients. The effectiveness of such masks is not less than 95%, and the second — for doctors, including for use in operating rooms. The efficiency of this type of product is at least 98%.
“The main thing is to buy a registered medical mask. The product name must contain the words “medical mask”. The package must have the number of the registration certificate of Roszdravnadzor”, – said the Deputy head of Roskachestvo Elena Sarattseva.
According to her, imported products, as well as domestic ones, must have a certificate of state registration from Roszdravnadzor.
At the same time, the organization notes that the mask itself is not marked, but its packaging. This marking contains the number of the registration certificate (RU). In accordance with GOST, the mask packaging must transmit to the buyer information about the degree of protection and the application of EN ISO 15223-1 and EN 1041 standards in the production of the product.
“Abroad, the types of protection are specified differently: N95, N99-in the United States (Chinese masks are also often marked), FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3-in Europe. FFP1 protects from 80%, FFP2 — from 94% and FFP3 — from 99% of particles. American and European standards speak about the degree of protection from the penetration of particles and are more often referred to as respirators, ” Roskachestvo said.
Sarattseva notes that construction or hygiene products are often sold on the Internet under the guise of medical masks. According to her, the former are designed to protect against dust and dirt, and the latter are just a textile product. The effectiveness of the protective properties of both types has not been proven.
Also do not have the necessary medical protective properties and popular personal protective equipment (PPE) and household protective masks. They do not protect against viruses, in particular, those marked “TR CU 019/2011”.
“Only products with the FFP3 label, as well as products with the American N99 label, claim to be protected from bacteria and viruses,” the organization noted.
At the same time, experts urged Russians not to believe in the antimicrobial properties of masks made of linen knitwear, which have flooded the market. Products of various designs made of neoprene or a material with “ion-rich” copper fibers will not save you from the virus.
The fact is that neoprene is used in the manufacture of orthopedic products and has not protective, but supportive properties, for example, when the jaw is broken. “Copper” the same masks, as noted in Roccacasale, save from microbes. But a virus is not a microbe, but a fragment of the genetic code. Such products can help against E. coli, but not from coronavirus.
