Can dust masks replace medical masks
Not all dust masks can replace medical masks.
There are many types of dust masks. Some common dust masks do not have the function of preventing bacteria and viruses. They can only prevent dust and cannot meet the standard of medical masks. Therefore, they cannot replace medical masks, but N95 masks can protect the air. The filtration efficiency of particles with a kinetic diameter of 0.075µm ± 0.020µm is more than 95%, which can block most of the droplets carrying viruses, and can be used instead of medical masks. Dust mask.
The difference between dust masks and medical masks
1.See if there is a waterproof layer
Medical protective masks generally have three layers, of which the outermost layer is a waterproof layer, which can block fluids such as body fluids and blood, prevent the body fluids of medical staff or the blood of patients from immersing and leaching, thereby blocking the transmission path, while dust masks do not Hydrophobic protective layer.
2.See if there is a breathing valve
Medical protective masks are not allowed to have an exhalation valve because the opened exhalation valve may discharge droplets or bacteria discharged from the mask wearer, which may threaten others, but dust masks usually increase in order to improve breathing comfort. Cold flow breathing valve.
Can dust masks protect against bacteria and viruses
Ordinary dust masks cannot, but N95 dust masks can prevent bacteria and viruses.
Many people think that only medical protective masks can prevent bacteria and viruses, but in fact, ordinary N95 dust masks have the same performance as medical N95 protective masks in filtering bacteria and viruses, and their filtration rate can reach 95%. Basically, they can remove droplets in the air, Bacteria and viruses are isolated because the particles of viruses and bacteria are larger than it and can be blocked.
Can breathing valve masks replace medical protective masks
Can't.
The National Standard GB 19083-2010 "Technical Requirements for Medical Protective Masks" clearly states that medical protective masks should not have a breathing valve, so such masks with breathing valves are not medical protective masks that meet the specifications The valve mask is only one-way protection, only protects the person wearing the mask, but does not protect the crowd around the person wearing the mask. It is mainly used in industrial dust masks and smog (PM2.5) masks, not suitable for medical treatment. Institutions, so medical staff should not wear such masks, and patients should not wear such masks. When medical protective masks are in short supply, it is best to prefer medical surgical masks.
Note
If you wear a protective mask to help yourself prevent viruses, it is no problem to choose a more comfortable protective mask with an exhalation valve; but if you suspect that you are infected or have been infected with a virus, the mask should not have an exhalation valve, otherwise you will For the purpose of protecting others, if you are not sure whether you are infected with the virus, then in order to prevent the spread of the virus, it is best not to wear a breathing valve mask.