RESPIRATORY PROTECTION

What is a particulate respirator?

Particulate respirators are also known as “air-purifying respirators” because they protect by filtering particles out of the air as you breathe (unlike surgical masks which are designed to prevent the wearer from contaminating others). Respirators are designed to form a seal with the wearer’s face, so that air passes through the filter (instead of around the edges) before it is inhaled.

Respirators protect against both solid and liquid airborne contaminants, including viruses and bacteria. They contain high density filtering fabric required to filter particles from 0.075 micrometer - including particles so small that they can’t be seen, whereas standard surgical masks are only required to filter particles bigger than 3 microns.

Respirators are considered Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and are tested according to labor safety standards..

What protection level do Airphin masks provide?

Airphin produces particulate respirators referred as Filtering facepiece (FFP), which are masks in which the filtering fabric covers the entire mask and form an inseparable part of the device. Filtering fabric used in FFP2 respirators is more than 4 times denser than the ones used in surgical masks. Airphin only uses FFP2 grade filtering material with the highest density in the industry standards.

All Airphin masks are laboratory tested ensuring they filter over 94% of PM2.5 particles, according to the European Union norm EN149:2001 + A1:2009 (FFP2 protection level or equivalent to N95/KN95).

Respirators are tested on the Total inward leakage and Particulate filtration efficiency tests, which assess face seal leakage and filter penetration under real performance conditions with testers wearing masks for 30 minutes (unlike surgical masks which are only tested on a crosssection of the masks without any tester wearing mask).

FFP2 testing includes NaCl (sodium chloride) particles and paraffin oil tests – this is only for FFP2 testing, while the N95 certification process only conducts NaCl test. In order to pass the test required in the FFP2 certification process less than six per cent of particles smaller than 2.5 microns can make it through the mask.

Comparatively, under the same fitting tests, surgical masks could allow more than 50% of the PM2.5 particles to enter the mask.  

How to ensure a particulate respirator is effective?

To provide respiratory protection, a respirator must fit snugly on the user’s face to ensure there are no gaps between the face and the respirator seal.

Always read and follow all product User Instructions to ensure you are putting the respirator on correctly and using it properly. To learn more, review the “How to Use Respirators” section

Airphin mask sizes

When selecting your respirator, it is important to keep in mind that although respirators are designed to fit a wide variety of faces, no one respirator model fits all faces.

 We are one of the few companies that provide different sizes for FFP2 masks. Choose the size most suitable to your face (L/S).

 Note that respirators don't need to be uncomfortably tight in order to seal effectively. During fit testing, wearers should wear the respirator comfortably, to confirm that the respirator is able to seal effectively while being worn comfortably. The respirator should not be so large that it is very close to your eyes or impacting your vision.

What is the difference between a certified respirator, a surgical mask, and a face covering?

Respirators are designed to help reduce the wearer’s exposure to airborne particles. Tight-fitting respirators, such as FFP2’s are designed to seal to the user’s face and are tested to meet minimum filtration efficiency requirements and other government regulatory standards.

The primary purpose of a surgical mask is to help prevent biological particles (e.g. bacteria and viruses) from being expelled by the wearer into the environment. Surgical masks are not necessarily designed to seal tightly to the face, so air might leak around the edges.

Non-approved masks, scarves, and bandanas are not equipped to provide respiratory protection.

Can a surgical mask, microfiber cloth or wet handkerchief help protect against small particles?

Surgical/procedure or “medical” facemasks are designed to help keep spit and mucous generated by the wearer from reaching a patient or medical equipment. They likely do not provide respiratory protection unless they are designed, tested, and certified as a respirator. Microfiber cloths, scarves, wet handkerchief’s or similar items have not been designed or tested to help filter out small particles and therefore should not be used for protection of wearers from particulate matter.

How important is the fit of the respirator? It is very important that your respirator be able to seal completely to your face. Your respirator should be well-sized for your face, so no gaps or leaks are detectable around the edge of the respirator. If a respirator does not seal well to your face, airborne hazards can enter around the gaps between the face seal and the face. If you cannot achieve a good seal with your respirator, you should try a different size that is well sized and seals well to your face.

 Remember, the better the seal, the more of the air you breathe goes through the filter. Your face should be cleanshaven in the area where the respirator seals to your skin. Beards, long mustaches, and stubble may cause leaks into the respirator.

It is not advised to use any surgical mask or cloth under the FFP mask as it would prevent the mask to obtain a good fitting. A surgical mask can be placed on top of the FFP2 in order to protect the FFP2 and increase its durability.

Can filtering facepiece respirators be re-used?

 FFPs are disposable, but not single use, so they can be used many times. There is no time limit to wearing an FFP mask. Respirators can be worn until they are damaged or difficult to breathe through.