Gester Instruments | Professional Textile, Footwear and PPE Testing Equipments Manufacturers Since 1997
Interpretation of key quality indicators of masks - filtration efficiency
A mask is a sanitary product, generally refers to a device worn on the mouth and nose to filter the air entering the mouth and nose, so as to prevent harmful gases, odors, and droplets from entering and leaving the wearer's mouth and nose. An important indicator of protective performance in masks is the filtration efficiency of particulate matter and bacteria. Now, let's take a look at how filtration efficiency works in masks! What are the indicators of filtration efficiency? According to the current mask standards, we can divide the filtration efficiency indicators into particulate filtration efficiency (PFE) and bacterial filtration efficiency (BFE), and particulate filtration efficiency can be divided into non-oily particulate filtration efficiency (also referred to as called“Salt Media Filtration Efficiency”) and oily particulate filtration efficiency. For the prevention of new coronavirus under the current situation, let's take a look at the more common non-oily particulate matter filtration efficiency and bacterial filtration efficiency. What is the filtration efficiency of non-oily particulate matter? The filtration efficiency of non-oily particulate matter refers to the percentage of mask material for filtering non-oily particulate matter. Through the filter layer, the mask has the function of blocking the penetration of non-oily particles. Non-oily particulate matter mainly refers to dust and other particulate matter of different sizes. In our life, some smaller particles can enter the alveoli and have an impact on human health. Therefore, the filtration efficiency of non-oily particulate matter plays an important role in human safety protection. In the detection method of this indicator (GB/T 32610-2016 and YY 0469-2011), a certain particle size of sodium chloride aerosol was tested as a simulated medium to reflect the filtration efficiency of non-oily particles. What is the bacterial filtration efficiency? Bacterial filtration efficiency refers to the percentage of bacteria-containing suspended particles filtered out by the mask material. Through the filter layer, the mask has the function of blocking the penetration of bacteria. In the detection method of this indicator (YY 0469-2011), the prepared bacterial aerosol was tested as a simulated medium to reflect the bacterial filtration efficiency. What is the filter in the mask? Generally speaking, masks are composed of three layers, among which the filtering performance is mainly determined by the filter material of the middle layer. The commonly used filter material is a melt-blown non-woven fabric made of polypropylene microfiber, which is light, thin and breathable. , while filtering out particulate matter in the air. The filter material is not as thick as possible, and the performance of meltblown non-woven fabrics produced by different manufacturers is quite different (the specific performance needs to be determined by professional equipment). Therefore, the mask can have good filtration efficiency only after it contains a layer of qualified filter material. If it is only ordinary needle-punched non-woven fabrics and spunlace non-woven fabrics, but no melt-blown non-woven fabrics, it is difficult to achieve good filtering effect. The index difference of filtration efficiency of different masks Now, let's take a look at the difference of filtration efficiency index of different masks (see Table 1 for details). It can be seen from Table 1 that daily protective masks, self-priming filtering anti-particulate respirators, and medical surgical masks all have non-oily particulate filtering efficiencies, and the requirements for different grades and types of product indicators are also different. There is no non-oily particulate filtration efficiency index for disposable medical masks, but this product has a bacterial filtration efficiency index. Masks of different standards have different requirements for filtration efficiency due to different usage scenarios and uses. Although some studies have pointed out that there is a certain correlation between the filtration efficiency of non-oily particulate matter and the efficiency of bacterial filtration, the protective effect of the type of mask is also very different. Therefore, when choosing a mask, it should be based on the actual situation. Need to choose the right mask.
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