FFP European And NIOSH For Face Masks

Masks play a vital role in preventing the spread of the virus. In this article, we will discuss the classification of Test standards for masks .
 
 
European standard
FFP European standard is to divide the granular protective filter material into two types: solid particle protection and liquid particle protection. They are tested and classified with NaCL (sodium chloride) and DOP (paraffin oil) aerosols. The function is to adsorb harmful aerosols, including dust, fume, mist droplets, poisonous gases, and poisonous vapors, through the filter material, blocking them from being inhaled by humans. Qualified solid particle protection filter materials are divided into three levels of P1 (FFP1), P2 (FFP2), P3 (FFP3) according to the tested particle penetration rate. The minimum filtering effect of FFP1 is ≥80%, and the minimum filtering effect of FFP2 is ≥94%. , FFP3 minimum filtering effect ≥97%.
  • FFP1 : ≥80%
  • FFP2 : ≥94%
  • FFP3 : ≥97%
 
American standard:
According to the standard classification, the N marked on the mask represents the American standard, FFP is the European standard, and KN is the Chinese standard.
The American standard masks are classified by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) for the filter material and filtration efficiency of the masks. The US NIOSH 42CFR-84 standard has the highest recognition in the world. There are three types of filter materials according to the middle layer of the mask:
 
N is Not resistant to oil, which can protect non-oily suspended particles. For example, the oil fume produced by cooking is oily particulate matter, and the droplets produced by people speaking or coughing are not oily. Generally, non-oily particles refer to coal dust, cement dust, acid mist, microorganisms, and the like. In the haze pollution currently raging, suspended particles are mostly non-oily. The oily particles refer to oil fume, oil mist, and asphalt fume.
 
R is Resistant to oil, which can protect non-oily and oily suspended particles, but when used for oily particles, the use time should not exceed 8 hours.
 
P is the oil proof, which can protect non-oily and oily suspended particles. Compared with the R series, the P series is used for a relatively long time, according to the labels of different manufacturers.