Why It Is Important To Wear A Mask?
During medical emergencies such as SARS, COVID-19, wearing a mask can help to protect the healthy individuals against the spread of such airborne infection when interacting with an infected person. Respiratory droplets can travel in the air when a person cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can enter the mouths or noses of people around you when they breathe or talk.
Masks act as a simple barrier to protect healthy people from infections and prevent the spread of infections from people who are unwell. You should wear a mask, even when you do not feel sick. Studies have shown that asymptomatic people can still spread the virus to other people.
Are you doing enough?
Staying well-protected from the assault of harmful airborne germs and pollutants take more than hand covering or hiding away. These actions below are insufficient to prevent serious contaminations.
6 Steps To Wearing A Mask
STEP 1 – Select A Face Mask
For the best protection and level of comfort, it is important to find a good-quality certified face mask.
STEP 2 – Open The Face Mask
Gently open the face mask to check that there are no tears or holes on the inner and outer layers of the mask.
STEP 3 – Fold The Face Mask
To obtain a secure fit, fold the face mask firmly along each horizontal side.
STEP 4 – Place Over The Nose And Mouth
Hold both the top and bottom edges of the face mask and gently stretch the extended flaps in opposite directions to cover the nose and mouth.
STEP 5 – Hook Bands Over The Ears
Hold the face mask in place across the face, stretch the elastic bands to the back and position them behind each ear. Adjust nose metal piece to ensure good fit.
STEP 6 – Make Adjustments
Perform a fit check to ensure that there are no leakage gaps and that the face mask fits well. Make adjustments if necessary.
STEP 1 – Select A Face Mask
For the best protection and level of comfort, it is important to find a good-quality certified face mask.
STEP 2 – Open The Face Mask
Gently open the face mask to check that there are no tears or holes on the inner and outer layers of the mask.
STEP 3 – Fold The Face Mask
To obtain a secure fit, fold the face mask firmly along each horizontal side.
STEP 4 – Place Over The Nose And Mouth
Hold both the top and bottom edges of the face mask and gently stretch the extended flaps in opposite directions to cover the nose and mouth.
STEP 5 – Hook Bands Over The Ears
Hold the face mask in place across the face, stretch the elastic bands to the back and position them behind each ear. Adjust nose metal piece to ensure good fit.
STEP 6 – Make Adjustments
Perform a fit check to ensure that there are no leakage gaps and that the face mask fits well. Make adjustments if necessary.
Important Information on N95 Respirators
Select the right mask for protection against the type and level of contaminant(s), and exposure time.
Disposable respirators require a good seal between the respirator and face and should be properly fitted to the wearer’s face.
Do not use with beards or other conditions that prevent a good seal between the face and the sealing surface of the respirator.
To obtain a good seal
Per user instructions, the respirator needs to be correctly positioned on the face and head:
- Upper strap should be positioned on the crown of the head.
- Lower strap should be positioned below the ears.
- Nose clip should be completely molded to the shape of the nose using two hands.
- Ensure the mask covers from the upper part of the nose to below the chin
- Always conduct a user seal check.
- Always follow the appropriate user and donning instructions for the specific model.
Frequently Asked Questions
01. What are the differences between surgical masks, N95 Respirators and surgical N95 respirators?
| Surgical Mask | N95 Respirator | Surgical N95 Respirator |
| Helps to protect the wearer from large-particles droplets of blood or body fluids which may contain germs (virus and bacteria). | Help to reduce exposure to very small airborne particles or contaminants. | Helps to protect wearer from large droplets of blood or body fluids and very small particles/fine aerosolised droplets (from cough). |
| US FDA cleared – 510 (k) approval number | NIOSH approved – TC approval number | US FDA cleared – 510 (k) approval number NIOSH approved – TC approval number |
| Loose fitting | Tight fit – Form a seal around the nose and mouth | Tight fit - Form a seal around the nose and mouth |
| Bacterial filtration efficiency (BFE) above 95% | Particulate filtration efficiency (PFE) - minimum 95% against particulate matter (0.3 microns in size) free of oil | Particulate filtration efficiency (PFE) - minimum 95% against particulate matter (0.3 microns in size) free of oil |
| Fluid resistant (Resistant to penetration of body fluid) | Not tested for fluid resistance | Tested to be fluid resistant |
| For healthcare setting | For industrial use (e.g. construction worker) where workers are exposed to dust and small particles During haze seasons | For healthcare setting – To protect both patients and health care personnel from the transfer of microorganisms, body fluids and particulate matter. |
* NIOSH – National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
02. What are the applicable standards used to ensure good manufacturing quality of masks and respirators?
ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System
ISO 13485 Medical devices – Quality Management System
ASTM F2100-19 – Test mask material on bacterial filtration efficiency, differential pressure, particulate
filtration efficiency, resistance to penetration by synthetic blood and flammability. Assign a numerical rating
for the barrier performance of the material:
Level 1 – for low risk of fluid exposure
Level 2 – for moderate risk of fluid exposure (Pasture 3-ply earloop surgical mask)
Level 3 – for high risk of fluid exposure
03. What are these common terms and definitions?
Measure how efficient the mask is able to filtrate against bacteria
Presented in percentage of bacteria larget than 3 microns filtered out by
the mask
Minimum requirement = 95%
Measure how efficient the mask is able to filtrate against small particles
Presented in percentage of particles larger than 1 micro filtered out by the
mask
Minimum requirement = 95%
Evaluate the resistance of the mask to penetration by a small volume of
synthetic blood at high velocity (80mmHg, 120mmHg).
Pass/fail based on visual evidence of synthetic blood penetration
Minimum requirement = 80 mmHg (N95 and 3-ply masks)
Can go up to 120mmHg for 3-ply surgical mask
Higher value → better resistance
Measure how air is easily passed from one side of the mask to the other.
Indicate how easily the wearer can breathe through the mask.
Higher value → more difficult to push the air through (Higher breathing
resistance) → Lower breathability (less comfortable), but better air
filtration
Determine the time of flame spread for the mask material
Minimum requirement = Class 1 flammability (exhibit normal
flammability)
