Respiratoradmin2022-12-01T06:30:28+00:00
Class FFP2 and FFP3 respirators are the only masks that can effectively protect the wearer himself from infection by viruses or bacteria. Since they consist almost 100% of filter material, which encloses the Face mask face (mouth and nose) particularly tightly, it can be prevented that breathing air or droplets can penetrate or escape through leaks at the edge of the mouthguard. Rely on the highest protection by buying respirators that comply with the European FFP2 standard. FFP2 Masks – Definition
FFP2 masks are so-called “filtering face pieces” and have proven themselves in many work areas for years to protect against respiratory toxins, dusts, smoke and aerosols. They were primarily designed to protect the wearer from damage to the respiratory tract during work. FFP2 and FFP3 masks are used, for example, in carpentry shops, mining companies, chemical laboratories, industrial plants, on construction sites, but also in the health sector for nursing in hospitals. Respirators are also attached to the ears with tabs and placed close to the mouth and nose. With a flexible metal pin, the FFP2 mask is adapted to the individual face shape. You want to buy tested FFP2 masks, but are unsure which protective mask is best for you? We are happy to advise you personally by e-mail or telephone.
FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3 – These are the differences
There are different FFP protection classes, which offer the wearer different protection. During the corona crisis, FFP2 masks in particular have prevailed, which develop a good protective effect with a high wearing comfort. In the table below we explain which FFP mask type is suitable for which purpose. Good to know: surgical masks, community masks or hygiene masks do not comply with the FFP2 standard and offer less protection for the wearer.FFP1 masks
FFP1 masks protect against non-toxic oil- or water-based particles, but do not provide protection against carcinogenic, radioactive, airborne biological agents and enzymes. For example, in the food industry, FFP1 masks are used very often. FFP2 Masks
FFP2 masks protect against harmful particles based on water or oil, but not against radioactive or airborne biological agents and enzymes of risk group 3. The so-called leakage (also called total leakage) is a maximum of 8%, at least 94% of the pollutants are filtered out of the air. Typical applications of FFP2 protective masks are working with dust from soft wood, glass fibers, metal, plastics (except PVC) and also oil mist. The German Rober Koch Institute recommends wearing FFP2 masks in the fight against the spread of the coronavirus (SARS-COV-2). Alternatively, FFP3 masks can be used. Important: When buying a FFP2 mask you should always pay attention to the CE mark. FFP3 Masks
FFP3 masks provide protection against carcinogenic particles, radioactive particles and airborne biological agents of risk group 2+3. With the highest FFP protection class, the total leakage is a maximum of 2%, which means that at least 99% of the pollutants are filtered out of the inhaled air. Typically, FFP3 masks are used when working with metal, hardwood, radioactive materials, pathogens, viruses, bacteria and fungal spores. The German Robert Koch Institute recommends wearing FFP3 masks to protect at-risk groups within the corona (Sars COV 2) pandemic. For longer periods of wear, breathing may be restricted with an FFP3 mask. Important: When buying protective masks, you should always pay attention to the CE mark. Who should order FFP2 respirators?
FFP2 respirators should be ordered by people who belong to a risk group or move in a particularly exposed environment. The use of FFP2 masks or FFP3 protective masks can be useful, for example, for older people or people with a history of illness who absolutely want to protect themselves from infection. The federal government recommends tested FFP2 respirators for nursing and hospital staff, but wearing such mouth-nose protection also makes sense for other occupational groups that are exposed to particularly high stress. A hairdresser who has very close contact with a large number of customers on a daily basis is better advised with a FFP2 respirator, for example, than with a type II or type IIR mouthguard.
During the mask requirement due to the coronavirus in Switzerland, normal citizens should, according to the Federal Council, order a medical mouth guard and use it in compliance with hygiene rules. OP masks or a community mask are recommended for protection for ordinary citizens. For risk groups and people who want the highest possible protection for themselves, a mask of the FFP class with or without exhalation valve is recommended. New Omikron variant: FFP2 protective masks help
The coronavirus has the world firmly under control and Switzerland is currently experiencing the 5th wave. With the Omikron variant, a mutant is now dominant, which is particularly contagious and spreads like wildfire. Even though further means of protection are available today with vaccination and antigen rapid tests, protective masks are still very important to slow down the spread of the virus. An FFP2 mask is still the only way to effectively protect the wearer from droplet infection. If you cannot do without social contacts and cannot keep the minimum distance to other people, you should wear an FFP2 mask whenever possible. Even though the Swiss Federal Council still recommends the wearing of simple hygiene masks, it has long been mandatory to wear FFP2 masks in neighbouring countries. In Austria, the focus has long been on the better protective effect of the FFP2 standard and also in many federal states of Germany the safe masks are used.Is the FFP2 mask obligation now also in Switzerland?
Since the outbreak of the mutated version of the coronavirus, for example, wearing an FFP2 mask has become mandatory throughout the state of Bavaria and also in all ski resorts in Austria. Conventional hygiene masks are no longer allowed. It is therefore quite possible that Switzerland will soon enact an FFP2 mask requirement for public spaces and shops. Click here for current information from the media on the topic:
- Blick: FFP2 mask obligation becomes a topic
- Aargauer Zeitung: FFP2 masks protect almost 100%
- 20 minutes: Cloth masks are little more than a face shield
- NZZ: Because of Omikron: Hospitals switch to FFP2 masks
- Tageschau.de: Risk of infection with FFP2 masks minimal
Respirators with exhalation valve yes or no?
There are FFP3 respirators with exhalation valve and there are FFP2 respirators without valve. Which product is recommended? The advantage of an exhalation valve is obvious: FFP class protective masks in particular are made of particularly fine filter material, which can make breathing difficult. If the filter has to catch the smallest particles, then the effort to breathe is correspondingly high. For this reason, there are respirators with breathing valves, which make exhaling the air very easy. When it comes to the spread of COVID viruses, however, this concept has a major drawback. Because through the valve the own breathing air enters the environment unfiltered. In other words, a mask with an exhalation valve protects the wearer very well from infection, but the people in the immediate vicinity are hardly protected. Since the protective effect for the environment of the wearer is not guaranteed, we advise against protective masks with valves. Our recommendation for maximum safety: FFP2 masks without valve.Questions & answers about FFP2 respirators
There are many terms that need explanation around the topic of respirators. We briefly discuss the most important points: