Protective face mask: types and ingredients

The word "mask" means an object with slits for the eyes (and sometimes for the nose and mouth) covering the face. The purposes of using it are different: from participation in rituals to protection against dangerous infections. Masks for the face are also cosmetic, ie, in this case it is a question of applying certain mixtures of ingredients on the skin with ingredients that provide nourishing and restoring effects.

The main theme of this article is a face mask, the purpose of which is to prevent contact of the skin, eyes and upper respiratory tract with harmful and dangerous substances and microorganisms.

What are the masks and what are they for?

A protective face mask can be presented in different forms. There are half masks designed to protect only the respiratory organs (respirators), glasses that protect only the eyes, and combined means of protection that cover the face completely. There are masks, the main purpose of which is to prevent injury. They cover the entire face, but are ineffective in protecting respiratory organs from harmful and dangerous substances (for example, a goalkeeper's mask in hockey). Medical masks are designed to prevent contact with the face, eyes and respiratory tract of infectious agents. For this purpose, glasses and respirators are used. The latter can be either disposable (this option is preferable), and reusable (they must be subjected to special treatment methods after destruction, which destroys dangerous microorganisms).

The face mask is indispensable in production, for example, when welding, when working in a room with a high concentration of dust and other dangerous occupational lung diseases (asbestosis, anthracosis and other pneumoconiosis) substances.

Protective masks used by the military may be designed only to prevent injury to the face and head, or to prevent recognition or perform the function of protection from toxic substances (gas masks).

To protect it is possible to carry also respiratory masks for pilots and divers. They are designed to provide respiration in an oxygen-free environment.

Individual protection, affordable and convenient to use

Face mask (transparent) is widely used in various areas (for example, building, medicine) and is designed to protect against flying small objects (dust, chips, etc.), as well as from contact with skin and mucous membranes of biological materials (blood, saliva And so forth). It is made of polymer materials, which makes it easy and safe to use (there is no risk of breaking it and getting injuries by splinters). Of course, this mask is not suitable for the role of a respirator, i.e., inhalation of hazardous substances and microorganisms does not prevent. It can be in the form of glasses (and protect only the eyes) or in the form of a flap covering the face entirely. To protect the upper respiratory tract, it is also necessary to wear a mask made of filter materials or having a system of replaceable filters. Plastic glasses, for example, often involve sharing with a respirator, so their shape is maximally adapted for this purpose.

Prevention of pneumoconiosis

The inhalation of many substances adversely affects the health. Consequences may occur immediately or after a certain period of time. To avoid this, you should use face protection from dust. Most often they are presented in the form of half masks that cover only the mouth and nose and imply the additional use of glasses for eye protection, if necessary.

How to protect yourself from hazardous chemicals?

Working with certain substances poses a threat to human health. Protective facial masks from chemistry are designed to reduce the risk of contact of such materials with the skin and mucous to a minimum. Work with toxic products implies the possibility of injury when non-compliance with individual protection measures. Chemical compounds can cause burns and poisoning. Therefore, to avoid contact with them requires the use of masks that reliably protect the face, as well as preventing inhalation of volatile toxic substances.

In this case, a combination of a respirator with protective goggles or a protective transparent shield is often used. When working with especially hazardous substances, there is a need for complete isolation from external factors. For this purpose, for example, gas masks are used. Absorbent and detoxifying ingredients in them are activated carbon and special chemical absorbers.

Medical Masks

Their main purpose is to protect from infectious agents infectious diseases. A face mask in medicine is usually presented in the form of a respirator or plastic eyeglasses. The use of disposable masks from filter materials is a common practice in all medical institutions. They are used not only by medical personnel, but also by patients. These products are well protected from getting into the respiratory tract of infectious agents, and also prevent the spread of pathogens from the carrier. It's a pity, the effect does not last long. Ideally, these masks should be changed every two hours.

SARS: how to protect yourself?

Protective face masks for the prevention of influenza may be different. For this purpose, one can use disposable medical masks, discussed above, or use hand-made gauze bandages. It is not forbidden to wear a respirator to protect it from dust.

The flu virus is transmitted by airborne droplets, that is, with droplets of saliva from a sick person during sneezing and even talking. Wearing a mask that covers the mouth and nose, significantly reduces the risk of contracting. The main thing is to observe certain rules:

1. Follow the instructions. If it is said that the mask should be replaced after two hours, then it is necessary to do so.
2. Do not use disposable masks again.
3. Gauze bandages should be changed every four hours. Used should be washed and ironed for disinfection.
4. The mask should fit snugly to the face, if possible, leaving no crevices.
5. Touching the hands of a mask is not recommended. If this happens, you should wash your hands thoroughly.

And, of course, do not forget about other preventive measures to better protect against possible infection.

Prevention of infections

Medical personnel are daily exposed to the risk of contracting dangerous infectious diseases. AIDS, hepatitis has long been considered a professional disease of doctors. Infections transmitted by airborne droplets (influenza and ARVI) also cause temporary disability for doctors. How to protect yourself?

A protective face mask from infections is essentially the same one-time medical mask, the description of which is given above. With the right application (replacement for a new every two hours) it is able to protect the respiratory tract from getting into them pathogenic agents quite effectively.

However, this is not enough, if we talk about the prevention of infections that are infected by contact with the patient's blood. In addition to the face mask, plastic glasses should always be used. Do not forget about other protective measures, such as the use of disposable gloves, thorough washing of hands, a surgical apron and shift work clothes that are regularly disinfected.

Protection is required at any age

Children's face masks are primarily medical masks, the principle of which does not differ from those for adults. The difference is only in size. Like adults, children's products differ depending on the goals for which they were created. In addition to medical, preventing infection in contact with a sick person, there are, for example, sports masks that protect the face from injuries, as well as children's gas masks and respirators, whose task is to prevent dangerous gases from entering the lungs.

Summarize

The main task of the protective mask is to prevent contact of the skin and mucous membranes with potentially dangerous agents, be it sporting equipment, combustion products or pathogenic microorganisms. There are masks for all cases, designed for use not only by adults, but also by children.

The choice of personal protective equipment is wide and allows you to choose exactly what can reliably and effectively prevent damage to health.