Disposable respirators and swine flu
Thanks to the swine flu news reports, we’re all seeing a lot of people wearing face masks these days.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published a page with a lot of information related to this practice. It gives usage tips and cautions about how much protection to expect.
The media’s been providing almost up-to-the minute counts on confirmed cases and deaths, but they’re failing to report that simply donning a paper mask is NOT going to prevent you from contracting the swine, avian, H5N1 or any other form of flu.
Here are five practices that are equally effective for the general public:
- Wash your hands properly. Use warm water and soap, sing “Happy Birthday” twice, and turn off the faucet with a paper towel.
- Sanitize surfaces completely. One swipe with doesn’t cut it. Keep cleaning for at least 20 seconds: sing “Happy Birthday” twice.
- Stay home if you’re sick.
- Maintain your social distance. Stay more than two feet away from other people.
- Avoid touching your face unless you have just washed or sanitized your hands.
Some factors to consider with paper masks:
No one knows how well respirators and face masks help control flu. The CDC opens its page by saying they have little data in this area, so they’re working from their best judgment and from history of general respirator and face mask use.
Don’t rely only on respirators or face masks. It’s better to take a range of actions such as those described above.
Respirators and face masks reduce exposure to airborne contaminants. Don’t expect them to prevent exposure. The problem with paper masks is that most don’t have a seal around the edges. Any air that is not drawn through the filtering media has not been “cleaned.” And even the most efficient respirator cartridge is only 99.7% efficient. There’s still a .3% chance of exposure.
A respirator’s seal to your face is vital. There’s a difference between a respirator and a paper mask. A respirator has a seal and needs to be fit-tested to ensure that it forms a proper seal and is providing proper protection. Without that seal, it’s not much better than a paper mask. Most paper masks are just that: masks. They don’t have a seal. As mentioned earlier, you’re not protected from “dirty” air that flows in around the edges—and air takes the path of least resistance, so much of an incoming breath could be unfiltered.
Watch the rating. N95 is a very common rating, but it was designed for respirators and masks used in an industrial setting. It has to do with whether the mask can be used in the presence of an oil mist. Although the CDC is recommending an N95 or higher rating, most N95 respirators haven’t been tested with any viral or bacterial contaminants.
A quick guide to the industrial ratings:
- N = Not resistant to oil
- R = Resistant to oil
- P = Oil Proof
- 95 = Filters 95% of particles 0.3 microns in diameter or larger
- 99 = Filters 99% of particles 0.3 microns or larger
- 100 = Filters 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns or larger
Respirators with exhalation valves can spread infection. If you are or may be infected, a respirator with an exhalation valve won’t protect others around you.
Any disposable respirator or face mask can spread infection if not handled properly. After using a disposable respirator around anyone who might be infected, don’t touch it except when wearing proper protective gloves. Dispose of it properly. It could be a biohazard.
Be careful with your gloves, too. Assume that protective gloves that touch a used respirator or face mask are also contaminated, so don’t touch anything else while wearing them. Remove them with caution, not touching the outer surfaces, dispose of them properly, and wash your hands thoroughly after removing the gloves.
Compare the cost of disposables to reusables. Will your group be discarding enough one-use respirators that reusable respirators would be a better choice?
The World Health Organization (WHO) has just raised the Pandemic Level from 4 to 5. With proper awareness, we may be able to avoid Level 6!
Our sympathies goes out to everyone affected by these cases of flu. Be well.
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KIMTECH PREP® Surface Sanitizer
Wall Bracket for KIMTECH™ Surface Sanitizing Wiper
Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes
12 tubs, lemon scent
12 tubs, fresh scent
6 tubs, lemon scent
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Purell® Sanitizing Wipes
35 wipes
175 wipes
Purell® Hand Sanitizer
four 2-liter pump bottles
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twelve 8 oz. pump bottles
six 800-ml bag-in-box refills
dispenser
PIG® BioSafety Spill Clean-up Kit
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