The Difference between Medical Surgical Masks and Protective Masks

Medical-surgical masks and protective masks are two types of masks that are widely used in the medical field. Many people do not know the difference between the two and do not know which mask to buy. So now the mask supplier analyzes the difference between the two in terms of use and performance.

Different scope of application:

Medical-surgical masks are masks worn by medical staff during invasive operations to provide protection for patients undergoing treatment and medical staff performing invasive operations and to prevent the spread of blood, body fluids, and splashes.

Medical protective masks are suitable for the protection of medical staff and related staff against airborne respiratory infectious diseases, with a high level of protection.

The airtightness is different:

After wearing a medical-surgical mask, it can cover the wearer's mouth, nose, and jaw, but the airtightness is poor, there is no tight fit, and breathing is relatively smooth at the same time.

Medical protective masks can closely fit people's faces, with good airtightness but poor breathing comfort.

Different structure appearance:

Medical-surgical masks are generally white or light blue-green square masks, which may have nose clips. The outer layer is a moisture-proof layer, the middle layer is a filter layer, and the inner layer fits the skin.

Medical protective masks have an arched or folded arched structure. With nose clips, they can fit close to the face and will not become loose after long-term wear. Its structure is similar to industrial dust masks.

Different protection levels:

Medical protective masks meet the GB19083-2003 standard, and important technical indicators include non-oily particle filtration efficiency and airflow resistance. The filtration efficiency of sodium oxide aerosol with a diameter of (0.24±0.06)μm is not less than 95%, which is in line with N95 and above. Inhalation resistance does not exceed 343.2Pa.

Medical-surgical masks meet the YY04692004 standard, and important technical indicators include filtration efficiency, bacterial filtration efficiency and respiratory resistance. The filtration efficiency for sodium vaporized aerosol with a diameter of (0.24±0.06) μm is not less than 30%; under specified conditions, the filtration efficiency for Staphylococcus aureus aerosol with a diameter of (3 ± 0.3) μm is not less than 95 %; Inhalation resistance does not exceed 49Pa, and expiration resistance does not exceed 29.4Pa.

In summary, these are the differences between medical-surgical masks and protective masks. According to the standard, medical protective masks also need to have the functions of surgical masks. Therefore, if conditions permit, it is better to buy protective masks.

The above information is provided by the mask manufacturer.