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Surgical OR FFP2? – Release

Whether it is “surgical” masks (photo on the left) or “respiratory protection” masks (photo on the right), they are not intended to be on your nose, unless you have a caregiver or a patient, and they are primarily intended for the entire chain of medical personnel, from surgeon to pharmacist.

Surgical masks are the most basic: made up of several thicknesses, they prevent contamination of other people by projecting droplets or airborne fine particles. But they do not protect airborne particles from outside and therefore do not prevent its own contamination, according to a document from the Ministry of Health in 2009. The best way to know if a mask is reliable is to ensure that it carries the EN 14683 standard. Its bacterial filtration efficiency is then at least 95%. It should not be worn for more than three hours and should be discarded as soon as it gets wet or soiled. Unless you have the symptoms of a contagious disease, like Covid-19 or the seasonal flu, it is almost useless to wear it as long as you respect the famous “barrier gestures”. It is only available in pharmacies on medical prescription.

Respiratory protection masks, the famous FFP2, are exclusively intended for caregivers. Their filtration system lets only 6 to 8% of the particles leak into the air. This mask, which can be worn for up to eight hours at a time, is “Recommended for healthcare personnel during the phases of interhuman and pandemic transmission,
and for people at major risk of exposure such as healthcare professionals in contact with patients “, according to the ministry. Note: in either case, once the mask is on, you should never touch it.


Frantz Durupt

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