Currently in Poland there is an obligation to cover the mouth and nose in public places indoors. It follows from this obligation to wear a mask. Let us remember that not so long ago, we also had to wear a mask outdoors. It is therefore worth familiarising ourselves with the information that disposable masks operate on the market. All the more so as, in the era of pandemic There is a plethora of them. However, not all of them have the same purpose and not all of them should be used in the same way. Moreover, not all of them protective masks offer the same protection against pollutants and germs that are, after all, invisible to the eyes. Simply put, they are suspended in the cloud of air exhaled by people. Let us remember the obligation to wear protective masks in the workplace, on public transport and in shops.

Why do protective masks protect us from transmitting viruses?

For example, coronavirus is transmitted drop by drop from person to person. The person who is infected spreads the virus particles by sneezing or coughing. If he does not cover his mouth at least a little, viruses disperse over long distances. This can be up to several metres. Wearing masks will significantly reduce the range of secretions expelled from you. Moreover, you don't even have to sneeze or cough. Even when speaking, the secretions are released microorganisms in the form of droplets of secretion in which the virus is contained. The mask stops these droplets (contamination) from spreading, so transmission to other people is greatly reduced. If a healthy person is also wearing a respirator protective maskThe path of the virus is even more difficult because the protection is doubled. This is because the droplets of secretions of the sick person are retained on the material of the protective mask of a healthy person. This means that the inhalation of viruses via droplets into the airways is effectively minimised. SARS CoV-2 virus is not visible to the naked eye and we do not always know that we are dealing with a sick person. Some people are asymptomatic. In addition, people can be infected even before the typical symptoms of the disease appear. We think that people who do not cough or sneeze are not a threat to us. However, the truth is that even during normal conversation or breathing, pathogenic virus particles can escape from the mouth and nose. This is why wearing a protective mask is an effective reduces transmission of coronavirusThis is a droplet-borne infection. Studies have shown that wearing masks halves the number of viruses in the immediate environment. 

Disposable surgical masks

The most commonly used are disposable surgical masks. They are designed to filter the air and creating a physical barrier between the mucous membranes and any contamination that may be directed towards us. Because they are disposable masks, there is no risk of a virus waiting for us on the mask. After use, they are simply thrown in the rubbish along with the microorganisms that have been collected on them. We don't have to be afraid to take the mask off. They can often be bought in large packs, where the number of pieces is even 100 or 200. Such a large pack will definitely last us longer. They protect us above all against larger virus particles. Disposable surgical masks areare a very effective barrier to aerosols produced by others in which viruses may be present. A protective mask can have different levels of effectiveness. Based on the level of filtration, masks are divided into available variants:

Type I - filtration efficiency ≥ 95

Type II - filtration efficiency ≥ 98

Type IIR - filtration efficiency ≥ 98

The only disadvantage of surgical masks is the number of pieces used. Their price range can be very diverse. Their quality varies greatly. It is worth buying a large pack, because it will last longer.

Non-medical masks 

These types of masks are made of one or several layers of material and have not undergone any regulation. It is for this reason that these masks show the least effectiveness. It depends on the material from which they are made, as each type of fabric gives a different level of protection against external substances. Non-medical masks provide by far the least protection against SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. This reduces the number of pieces used each week and there is no need to buy new ones all the time. They must be washed at 60°C after each use and ironed after drying.

Filtering half masks (FFP2 and FFP3 masks)

Half maskThe filtering features of these products provide by far the highest level of protection of all products available on the market. This is because they adhere tightly to the skin of the face and thus our respiratory tract and mucous membranes are tightly protected. FFP2 and FFP3 masks are primarily intended for medical personnel who are at particular risk of coming into contact with infected or suspected infected patients. These masks provide purification of the air that is exhaled by the person wearing such a mask. Depending on the type, they have three classes of filter protection. The lowest is class 1, and the highest is class 3. What is the reason for such a high level of effectiveness of these types of masks? The masks filter the air, as well as a minimum of 94 per cent of the infectious and dangerous aerosol contained in it. However, it is important that we use these masks in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations, as there are different permissible periods for using them. There are disposable and reusable models on the market. The latter require greater caution and compliance with the manufacturer's safety rules, but thanks to their repeated use, we can reduce the number of pieces we use in the case of disposable masks.

N95 masks 

Half mask which, in principle, provide a similar level of protection as FFP2 masks. Thus, they can stop particles with a diameter of up to 0.5 micrometres. The only disadvantage of this type of mask is that it should not be used for a long time, as it can cause breathing problems. In the long run, this can prove detrimental to health and for some people very dangerous.

Where to buy tested and approved protective masks?

TW Plast is a company that produces masks on a global scale, for which the safe functioning of people is paramount. Company TW Plast places great emphasis on the comfort of its products. It is important that wearing protective mask was non-invasive and as unobtrusive as possible. Correct application a medical mask will provide a healthy life for many people, especially the most vulnerable. A protective mask is currently an essential attribute for every person. It is best to always have a full pack of products at home.

Protective masks available from TW Plast:

Filtering half-masks FFP2 NR of the PRAESIDIUM brand, which are a complete element of respiratory protection due to their manufacture from high-quality filtering material. They are designed exclusively for protection of the respiratory tract against solid, liquid and non-poisonous particles such as, for example, dusts, fumes, aerosols and mists. FFP2 filtering protective masks provide extremely effective protection for up to 8 hours. They are sold in various packaging such as flowpack, number of pieces - 2 or carton (number of pieces - 3,5, 10,20). Available in white and black.

Protective profile mask F model in medical standard of PRAESIDIUM brand - a product which guarantees safety and comfort of use. Thanks to their shape, they are more adapted to the oval of the face and they are more comfortable to wear. They have the shape of a half-mask filtering FFP2. It is recommended to wear a maximum of 1,5 hours. A pack of 3 is available for buyers. FFP2 protective masks are much safer than others.

Many products have appeared on the market which are intended to protect our health. Let us remember, however, that we are best protected by products which are tested and approved, and which come from a reliable source. If we wear a protective mask, we should not forget to cover both our nose and mouth. If, for example, only the mouth is covered, our protection is ineffective. The mask should fit tightly to the face in order to protect our health and the health of others. The dimensions of our mask are therefore important. After all, we are dealing with a droplet infection. Covid-19 is invisible to the eyes and therefore so dangerous. There is no doubt that protective masks are an essential tool in the fight against Covid-19. The available variants of protective masks give us complete safety.