In recent days, the capital city has once again been shrouded in fog and haze, prompting a surge in demand for masks that claim to offer "dust-proof" and "anti-snoring" protection. On e-commerce platforms, products promising to shield against pollution have become popular, while pedestrians can be seen wearing a variety of masks, hoping to create a barrier against the harmful air. But how effective are these masks really? And what makes one type more protective than another?
Medical protective masks are considered the most effective in terms of filtration. They come in three main types: medical masks, surgical masks, and medical protective masks. Among them, the medical protective mask offers the highest level of protection. It is constructed with three layers of material—typically, the inner layer is made of non-woven fabric, the middle layer consists of ultra-fine polypropylene melt-blown material, and the outer layer is either non-woven fabric or ultra-thin polypropylene melt-blown material. This design helps effectively filter out non-oily particles such as dust, acid mist, coal dust, cement dust, and microorganisms, with a filtration efficiency of at least 95%.
However, even the best masks cannot completely eliminate all pollutants found in smog. Smog contains both non-oily and oily particulate matter, including soot, oil mist, asphalt smoke, coke oven smoke, and diesel exhaust. Additionally, it may also contain gaseous chemicals, which standard medical masks are not designed to filter out. According to Yue Weihua, director of the Material Inspection Department at the Beijing Medical Device Inspection Institute, this means that no mask can provide 100% protection against all components of smog.
Yue also warned that medical protective masks are typically intended for use in healthcare settings and may not be suitable for everyday wear by the general public. For instance, N95 masks are commonly used in occupational environments to protect against microbial particles like viruses, bacteria, mold, anthrax, and tuberculosis. However, their dense structure can make them uncomfortable for long-term use, especially for people who are not exposed to high-risk environments.
Before being sold on the market, all medical masks must undergo rigorous testing by nationally recognized agencies. As Yue explained, medical masks are classified as medical devices and must meet strict technical standards. The National Standard for Medical Protective Masks outlines detailed requirements, including particle filtration efficiency and adhesion. In addition to these key factors, other tests—such as nose clip stability, mask fit, and microbiological safety—are also required. Overall, over ten different performance indicators must be met for a mask to be approved for sale.
With air quality concerns on the rise, understanding the differences between mask types and their effectiveness is more important than ever. Whether you're walking through a polluted city or working in a high-risk environment, choosing the right mask can make a significant difference in your health and safety.
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