The Difference Between Disposable Medical Masks, Medical Surgical Masks, And Medical Protective Masks

Although the epidemic has been a long time ago, there are still many people who don't know which mask to wear to be useful. After all, there are Disposable Medical Masks, paper masks, cotton masks, activated carbon masks, etc. on the market, and many people are confused.

In fact, there are not so many types of masks in hospitals. Generally, there are only disposable medical masks, medical surgical masks and medical protective masks. So, how to distinguish between disposable medical masks, medical surgical masks, and medical protective masks? What are their respective functions?

1.Distinguish from the packaging

Generally, these three kinds of masks have different technical standards. Disposable Medical Masks is (YY/T0969-2013), Medical Surgical Masks is (YY0469-2011), and Medical Protective Masks is (GB19038-2010) ). You can judge which type of mask the product belongs to by checking the implementation standards marked on the outer packaging of the product, and the respective names will also be written on the packaging.

2. Different mask shapes:

Both disposable medical masks and medical surgical masks are rectangular in shape, with ear-wearing and strap-on types. The vast majority of medical protective masks are duckbill-shaped, this is a better distinction.

3. The performance is different:

All three types of masks can filter bacteria, but they are different in terms of water resistance and particle filtration efficiency. First of all, disposable medical masks do not have performance requirements in terms of water resistance and particle filtration efficiency, while medical surgical masks and medical protective masks have requirements. Secondly, the waterproof performance of medical surgical masks is higher than that of medical protective masks, which can prevent the infection of doctors from splashes of blood and body fluids produced during surgery.

Finally, Medical Protective Masks must have the main functions of surgical masks at the same time, including bacterial filtration efficiency and the function of blocking pressured liquid splashes, and also have respiratory protection functions, that is, to protect the wearer's breathing safety. Moreover, the particle filtration efficiency of medical protective masks is higher than that of medical surgical masks.

Medical Mask

What are the functions of these three masks?

First of all, disposable medical masks are only suitable for blocking pollutants exhaled from the operator’s mouth and nasal cavity during general diagnosis and treatment operations, that is, they are used when there is no invasive operation. Clinical hospital staff generally wear this mask during work. It can basically meet the needs of our ordinary people.

Secondly, because of its good waterproof performance and particle filtering efficiency, medical surgical masks are suitable for operation, laser treatment, isolation, and dental or other medical operations, as well as air or droplet-borne diseases or wear; mainly to meet the needs of hospital surgical operators use.

Medical protective masks have good particle filtration efficiency and can effectively filter viruses, so they are suitable for occupational protection when medical personnel contact patients with airborne and droplet-borne diseases or when they are exposed to infectious microorganisms.

For the prevention of this new type of coronavirus pneumonia, which mask should I choose?

In fact, it has been explained from the interview with Academician Zhong Nanshan that for the prevention of this new type of coronavirus pneumonia, only medical surgical masks are required in daily life, and medical protective masks are not necessary. If you are in contact with patients who have been infected with new coronavirus pneumonia, you need to wear medical protective masks, such as N95 Masks.