Last updated on February 16th, 2023 at 09:34 am
Face masks help to prevent and control the spread of infectious respiratory diseases. Particularly, these masks have come in handy to control the spread of Covid-19 since it was declared a pandemic in 2020.
There are two types of face masks—medical face masks and non-medical face masks.
Medical face masks are used in healthcare settings to prevent or limit the spread of respiratory diseases and must pass certain standards; while non-medical face masks are for the general public use in non-healthcare environments.
If you are looking to buy face masks for specific purposes and wondering what you should consider in order to make the right choice, you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, we will cover different types of medical and non-medical masks and provide you with tips for buying face masks. We will also introduce our zheng xing mask and highlight the tests they’ve passed as well their advantages.
Surgical face masks
These masks are loose-fitting disposable masks that cover the mouth, nose and chin during medical procedures. They are designed to prevent the spread of infection between sick and well persons. Surgical face masks should labeled as surgical, loosely cover the mouth and nose; and meet certain fluid barrier protection standards.
Surgical face masks are made from different types of materials but they must meet established standards such as particle and bacterial filtration, breathability, fluid resistance and flammability. Some surgical masks are reusable and others are single use.
- N95 face masks
N95 masks are NIOSH approved and meet all the required U.S. quality standards and offer a higher level of protection while maintaining very good breathability. These masks are designed to filter out 95% of dust and pollutants when the wearer inhales. They also fit better over the face and around the neck. Although N95 face masks are commonly used in healthcare settings, there are non-medical N95 face masks that can be used by the general public.
Types of Non-Medical Masks
- KN95 face masks
Just like N95 masks, KN95 masks are rated to filter out at least 95% of dust and pollutants. They are also made from multiple layers of synthetic material to offer a higher level of protection. However, the difference between N95 and KN95 masks is that the latter are designed to meet Chinese standards for medical masks, so they are considered the Chinese equivalent on N95 masks. This does not mean KN95 masks are inferior. Since KN95 face masks do not meet NIOSH standards for face masks, they are not used in hospitals and healthcare facilities.
- P95 face masks
These masks are approved by NIOSH for 95% filtration efficiency against oil and non-oil based particles. P95 face masks come with braided headbands with dual point attachment in order to provide a comfortable and secure seal. Besides, they feature an exhalation valve that reduce heat build-up inside the respirator. P95 masks are commonly used in environments exposed to oil-based particles.
- R99 face masks
These face masks have a filtration efficiency of at least 99% against particulates and bacteria. They feature several layers of protection, an ergonomic design and breathable properties.
R100 face masks have a filtration efficiency of at least 99.97% against oil-based particles. These masks seal tightly to your face when fitted properly.
- N99 face masks
As the name suggests, N99 masks are designed to filter out 99% of particulate pollution, bacteria and viruses. They are NIOSH approved and contain breathable properties. N99 face masks are popular because they hit the sweet spot of breathability and filtration.
- N100 face masks
These are disposable face masks designed to filter out 99.97% of non-oil particulates while providing a comfortable breathing experience.
- P100 face masks
These face masks provide a minimum filter efficiency of 99.97% against oil and non-oil based particles. They are NIOSH approved and feature breathable properties to meet respiratory protection and comfort needs.
- R95 face masks
These are NIOSH approved face masks that provide a filtration efficiency of above 95% against oil-based particles.
- Cloth face masks
Cloth face masks are made from a variety of fabrics, including cotton and silk. These masks should have two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric and fit well over your nose and mouth. Cloth face masks should have the capability to prevent respiratory droplets from getting through the mask or escaping from it.
Here are 6 tips on how you can choose the right face mask and take the first step towards protecting yourself, your employees or family.
Tip 1: Consider the fabric itself
Face masks are made from various materials, including high-thread-count cotton, natural silk, chiffon, and polypropylene. However, some materials are more effective than others in terms of filtration, breathability, durability, and comfort needs. Face masks made from tightly woven 100% cotton offer greater filtration efficiency because the natural fibers in cotton have a more three-dimensional structural as compared to synthetic fibers.
The best-performing face masks are made of two layers of quilting cotton and one layer of polypropylene that functions as a filter.
Tip 2: Think multiple layers of fabric
Face masks, be it medical or non-medical masks should be made of two or more layers of tightly woven fabric as they offer a higher level of protection against dust particles, germs, bacteria, oil-based pollutants and more. Choosing face masks made with multiple layers of fabric is important for two reasons. First, multi-layered face masks provide a tough barrier for bacteria, viruses, dust particles and other pollutants to navigate. Secondly, non-disposable face masks with multiple layers of woven fabric are more likely to last longer.
So if you are in the market for any type of face masks, you should go for masks with multiple layers of fabric.
Tip 3: Proper fit
A face mask won’t serve its purpose if it doesn’t cover your mouth and nose properly. A good face mask should fit comfortably against your face to allow you to breathe easily. It should also be large enough to completely cover your mouth and nose without leaving gaps. No matter which type of face mask you choose, proper fit is a key factor in its effectiveness. Some face masks are adjustable, thereby allowing wearers to adjust the fit by adjusting ties, bands or ear loops.
Some masks come with headbands while others are fitted with ear loops. If you frequently travel outdoors, you’ll want to choose face masks with ear loops because they are more convenient for use.
Tip 4: Easy breathing
While a face mask is designed to prevent the spread of infectious respiratory diseases and offer protection against pollutants, it should not cause difficulty in breathing. A good face mask should breathable to allow you keep it on for a longer period.
Tip 5: Durability
A good face mask should be durable so that you can frequently wash and dry it without losing its shape. For disposable face masks, they should have an exceptional ability to withstand moisture. The most durable face masks are made of multiple layers of woven fabric.
Tip 6: Choose masks that meet a standard
Different types of face masks are designed to meet certain standards. For instance, N95 masks must be NIOSH approved and have a 95% filtration efficiency so that they can serve their purpose. Besides, they need to be breathable to allow the wearer to breathe easily. When you’re in the market for N95 face masks, you’ll want to make sure they meet these standards.
Both medical and non-medical face masks must meet certain quality standards, especially filtration efficiency, breathability, NIOSH-approved, and durability.
BEWARE: There are many unscrupulous traders offering substandard face masks and such traders have made it even harder to find genuine face masks. You need to be careful about where you buy face masks and only purchase masks from reputable sellers.
So there you have it. We hope these tips will help you select the right face masks.
Conclusion
In summary, a face mask’s effectiveness is a combination of several factors including the fabric’s filtration capability, how well it fits your face, and its breathability.
Whether you’re in the market for face masks for personal use or you are a vendor who deals in face masks, you’ll need to select the best face masks for your needs.
Looking For High Quality Faces Masks? Try Zhengxin Face Masks
Zhengxin face masks are designed to meet the highest quality standards in terms of filtration rate, breathability, and other quality standards.
Why Choose Zhengxin Face Mask?
The following are some of the advantages of Zhengxin face masks:
They’ve passed all the required tests including SGS, CE, and ISO: This means our masks have met the minimum requirements for quality and performance; they’ve met all the requirements regarding health, safety, and the environment; and are ISO-certified.
They are made with high-quality fabric: The effectiveness, filtration efficiency, and breathability of face masks heavily rely on the type of fabric they are made from. Face masks made from low-quality fabrics will have a low filtration efficiency and poor breathability. Zhengxin face masks are made with high-quality fabrics to ensure they offer a higher filtration rate as well as breathability.
The feature multiple layers of fabric: Zhengxin face masks are layered in order to provide better protection against respiratory infections and pollutants, depending on where they are used. Whether you’re looking for Zhengxin medical masks for use in healthcare settings or non-medical face masks, you can count on Zhengxin face masks to provide better protection.
They offer incredible breathability: Zhengxin face masks provide a sweet spot between filtration and breathability, allowing you to protect yourself against germs, bacteria, or pollutants while being able to breathe properly. Moreover, you can wear Zhengxin face masks for longer without feeling uncomfortable thanks to their breathability.
Affordability: Zhengxin face masks are relatively affordable for just about anyone.
If you’re looking for affordable face masks that have passed all the required tests, look no further than Zhengxin masks.
Zhengxin face masks are available in both reusable and single-use variations.
Contact us today if you have any questions and learn more about our Zhengxin face masks or place your orders.
Recommended reading
Copyright Notice:
Without Zhengxin’s prior authorization, you are not allowed to copy, modify, publish, display, transmit, or exploit any content on this blog in any way. If you want to use this article, please contact: sales@zxmedppe.com
Disclaimer:
The information contained in this article is for reference only, zxmed does not guarantee the accuracy, relevance, or completeness of the information, and the company assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or errors of the content of this article.
