The sale of face masks has picked up significantly ever since Malaysia & Singapore was cloaked in smoke from Indonesia on Monday, 17 June 2013. Stocks for face masks have reportedly sold out in a number of stores and are yet to be replenished. But some common face masks available in stores may not provide sufficient protection against haze particles. We must choose the right one according to the severity of the haze problem.
Every face mask is constructed for a specific purpose, and choosing the wrong one will only give a false sense of security and little real life protection.
Before that, Depending on how sensitive you are, the severity of the haze and the time of exposure, you may experience the following short-term adverse effects:
- Irritated eyes, watering eyes, and/or conjunctivitis (a type of eye inflammation)
- Running nose, stuffy nose, sneezing, and/or post-nasal drip
- Throat irritation, dry throat, sore throat and/or coughing
- Headache, dizziness, fatigue and/or stress
- Decreased lung function, depressed respiratory immune defenses, chest pain, and/or bronchitis (lung inflammation)
However, in susceptible individuals and those suffering from chronic disease, especially respiratory and heart disease (e.g. coronary artery disease, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), their condition may be worsened by haze. They are more likely to experience more severe haze-related effects than healthy people.
Check here for details (scroll down to see the table in the link) regarding PSI values and its description.
Type of Masks
Below we look at some common face masks and offer some suggestions on the right masks you should get:
Surgical Masks
Common surgical masks shown in the diagram are meant to catch the bacteria that may be present in your own bodily fluids, such as saliva and nasal discharge, and prevent infectious liquid droplets from spreading to others.
Surgical masks are not designed to protect you from inhaling airborne bacteria, viruses and fine particles.
Surgical masks typically have two straps, one on each side, that hook over the ears. Some may come with one strap that goes above the ears.
A surgical mask should be worn if you are down with a cold, flu, or cough, and when you are working with patients.
Surgical masks cannot provide adequate protection against fine particles present in smoke and haze.
Respirators
Respirators, also known as particulate respirators, are devices designed to protect the wearer from inhaling harmful dusts, fumes, vapors or gases.
There are two main forms of respirators: disposable and reusable.
Disposable Respirators
Disposable respirators are masks that have the word “NIOSH” and either “N95“, “N99“, “N100“, “R95“, “R99“, “R100“, “P95“, “P99” or “P100” printed on them.
NIOSH stands for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. It is a U.S. federal agency that conducts research and make recommendations for the prevention of work-related injury and illness. A product that bears the word NIOSH means it meets certain standard recommended by the agency.
The letter refers to the oil resistance of the respirator as indicated below:
N: Not oil resistant
R: Oil resistant
P: Oil proof
The number indicates the minimum amount of airborne particles (in percentage) that the respirator is able to filter. For instance, if a respirator is “N95” certified, it means it can filter at least 95% of particles that do not contain oil.
Disposable respirators, such as 3M N95 Particulate Respirator, should come with at least two straps that go around the head, one above the ears and one below. This ensures a tighter and closer fit to prevent particles from seeping through any loose gap.
It is important to wear the mask snugly over your nose and under your chin. A mask that is worn loosely will not give adequate protection.
Disposable respirators are only meant for single use as their filters cannot be cleaned or replaced. They should be replaced regularly.
Unused disposable respirators are valid for about three years from the date of manufacture, if they are not opened and stored properly. Some brands may last longer or shorter; be sure to check the expiry date before use.
When used properly, a disposable respirator can protect you from smoke and haze.
Reusable Respirators
Reusable Respirators
Examples of reusable respirators are those used by firefighters. They can be either full face or half face.
Reusable respirators that come with air purifying feature, such as the half face particulate respirator shown in the picture, can be fitted with different types of filters to provide the level of protection that you need (for example, the pink filters used in the respirator shown is P100-certified).
Other reusable respirators may come with their own air supply in the form of high-pressure gas tank to completely eliminate any chances of inhaling toxic particles.
When used properly, reusable respirators offer the best protection against haze and smoke.
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