It is a fact that cloth masks are the least effective but most used dust filter!
With cheap prices, variety of designs, trendy, it is not difficult to get a mask on hand. However, whether that mask can really protect you is another story!
Masks are the most common items when participating in traffic. (Internet photo).
Currently on the market there are popular types of masks such as cloth masks, medical masks, activated carbon masks, N95 masks… In which cloth masks are widely sold and used by many people. Best because of cheap prices and diverse and fashionable designs.
In fact, this is the least effective type of mask because according to experts, they only filter dust larger than 2 micrometers (in other words, cloth masks only filter 20 to 30% of dirt). Therefore, it is not possible to prevent airborne diseases.
Dust will be filtered through layers of masks. (Picture mi4vn).
The dust filtration efficiency of masks depends mainly on the size of dust or bacteria that it can prevent, the smaller the filter size, the greater its effect. This depends on the material of the mask and its number of filter layers .
The more antibacterial the material, the more toxic gas absorption like activated carbon or the more layers of dust filters such as medical masks, the higher its filtering efficiency.
In addition, wearing a mask correctly (wearing close to the face) or paying attention to the expiration date (some masks should only be used a few times), not allowing the mask to be contaminated (putting it in a trouser pocket) also contributes to the prevention of infection. small to the ability of the mask to prevent respiratory diseases.
The use of contaminated masks (due to breathing, sweat sticking to create favorable conditions for bacteria and fungi to grow) or repeated use too much (such as activated carbon masks) will become harmful. for you rather than a protective effect.
The size of dust or bacteria that masks can filter out depends on each type of mask as mentioned above, here we will learn some common types of masks that are sold and widely used in the market. school.
This is the least effective but the most used dust filter mask, with 2 to 3 layers of fabric but no activated carbon layer, so this mask can only filter up to 20-30%. dirt with the minimum size it can filter is 2 microns.
Smaller smoke particles like car smoke are completely “powerless”, germs or bacteria that can be transmitted in the air also easily penetrate through cloth masks.
This is a type of mask that can protect you from being penetrated by hashish dust and avoid the possibility of infection with bacteria and diseases through the respiratory tract.
Although it looks very thin, it is manufactured using very special materials and technologies, consisting of 3 layers of non-woven fabric and is thoroughly sterilized.
This is also a medical mask, so it can help users not only block dust in the air but also protect users against many respiratory diseases.
The active fiber in the mask will absorb toxic gases and vapors in the air. However, this effect will decrease with the number of times of use
N95 masks are certified by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) as a standard medical mask.
N95 is also an activated carbon mask, but can filter over 95% of dust, bacteria, and pollutants. It can even filter out the superfine and harmful PM2.5 dust.
Choosing the right mask for your living environment is a way for you to protect your health and that of your loved ones.