Nationwide obligation to wear special masks
Since Monday, 25.01.2021, it has been mandatory to wear only surgical masks or FFP2 masks when shopping in stores and on public transport. The latter are increasingly in demand due to their better filtering properties against coronavirus infection.
The coronavirus pandemic (SARS-CoV-2 pandemic) and the resulting rapid rise in infections have led to severe restrictions and new rules of conduct in our everyday lives and in many other areas.
In the meantime, the mask requirement for wearing medical masks has been further tightened. The“everyday masks” previously used – mostly sewn together from thin fabric – may no longer be worn. Instead, only surgical and FFP2 masks may be worn, which, in addition to protecting others, are also intended to protect the wearer from possible infection. The risk of infection from person to person with the so-called “coronavirus” (SARS-CoV-2) is to be further reduced in this way. Mouth and nose protection is intended to protect against the transmission of aerosols (very fine particles in the air) with which coronaviruses are transmitted.
The different types of masks have different protective effects with regard to the transmission of aerosols contaminated with coronavirus.
Everyday masks – why should they no longer be worn in public and in many other areas?
Simple everyday masks made from commercially available materials are not subject to any standards relating to filter performance or protective effect. In general, they do not offer sufficient protection against aerosols contaminated with viruses. According to the BfArM (Federal Office for Drugs and Medical Devices), there is some protection in everyday masks: “(…) however, the protective effect of these masks depends on the tightness and quality of the material used, the adaptation to the shape of the face and the number of layers of fabric.” They are generally suitable to a certain extent for “capturing droplets and braking exhaled air” (source: www.bfarm.de).
Medical masks “surgical masks” and particle-filtering half masks “FFP masks” (FFP2 and FPP3 masks)
There are differences in design and protective effect between surgical masks (medical masks) and FFP2 and FFP3 masks (protective work masks).
In a resolution dated 19.01.2021, the federal and state governments pointed out that surgical masks and masks with the KN95/N95 or FFP-2 standard have a higher medical protective effect than everyday masks, which are not subject to any standards.
Surgical masks and FFP masks are made of special nonwovens. Their filtering performance properties are tested in accordance with legal requirements and technical standards.
The Federal Office for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) has aptly highlighted the main differences, which we briefly present below:
OP masks – Medical face masks
The surgical masks (medical face masks) are made of special plastics and have a multi-layer structure. They are generally used as disposable products in hospitals or doctors’ surgeries. Their primary purpose is to protect others from the wearer’s infectious droplets. They must meet legal requirements and the European standard EN 14683:2019-10. For the European market, they are provided with the CE mark.
Particle-filtering half masks / FFP masks
FFP is the abbreviation for “Filtering Face Piece“. These masks belong to the “personal protective equipment” (PPE) product category and are dust masks that are worn as protective work masks.
Compared to surgical masks, these are not only primarily used for external protection, but also for self-protection. Due to their shape and fleece thickness, they generally fit tightly and protect against aerosols, particles and droplets. Legal requirements and technical standards also apply to FFP masks. The filter performance of the material is tested for aerosols in accordance with European standard EN 149:2001+A1:2009 . They are also marked with the CE mark and the four-digit identification number in accordance with European standards.
FFP2 masks and FFP3 masks
FFP2 masks are now required to be worn when shopping in stores and current negative tests for coronavirus have been carried out. What is the difference between an FFP-2 mask and an FFP-3 mask?
Both mask types (FFP-2 and FFP-3) comply with the KN95 /N95 standards for SARS-CoV-2 infection protection. They have been tested for aerosols with regard to their filter effect. Due to the higher filtration performance and the tight fit, they provide better protection against infection than surgical masks, as the inhaled air is also better filtered.
FFP2 masks must retain at least 94 percent of test aerosols (the finest liquid particles in the air). FFP-3 masks filter at least 99 percent of these. They therefore offer the most effective self-protection. However, FFP-3 masks have a valve opening for exhalation due to their even denser fleece, which would otherwise hinder breathing too much. However, the air flowing out when exhaling offers no protection for others. This means that there is no longer any protection from others and the risk of someone else becoming infected with coronavirus increases. For this reason, FFP-2 masks have become mandatory when worn in public spaces and many other (working) areas such as care.
Do you need coronavirus air sampling in indoor areasof your company, teaching facilities or other areas? We now offer the Vira-Pore virus sampling cassette to help you test for coronaviruses in indoor air. You can carry out this sampling with the appropriate GSA measuring devices SG10-2, SG10-2A or SG12 and have the samples analyzed by specialist laboratories. Just 10 minutes are sufficient for a measurement. We are happy to offer you comprehensive advice on this.
Sources:
Image source: 123rf.com © Andriy Popov, image file no. 168117278
https://www.bfarm.de/SharedDocs/Risikoinformationen/Medizinprodukte/DE/schutzmasken.html
https://www.fh-muenster.de/gesundheit/forschung/forschungsprojekte/moeglichkeiten-und-grenzen-der-eigenverantwortlichen-wiederverwendung-von-ffp2-masken-im-privatgebrauch/index.php
https://www.morgenpost.de/politik/article231314880/FFP2-OP-Maskenpflicht-Corona-medizinische-Masken.html
https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/schutz-zertifizierung-preis-wie-man-gute-ffp-2-und-op-masken-erkennt-und-was-sie-kosten/26794148.html