Safety in workplaces is extremely important as employees are surrounded by heavy-duty machines and hazardous substances, especially in hospitals. One of the most delicate human parts that can irrevocably get damaged is the face. Despite the availability of safety glasses to protect the eyes and earplugs to protect the ears, there is always a debate over masks. Why do you need a medical mask? The mask significantly traps small airborne particles, enabling the breather to take in clean air. Due to their effectiveness, the masks are widely used in the medical sector by medical professionals and visitors to health care facilities.
The primary use of health masks is to uphold a sterile environment by avoiding the spread of pollutants coming from the user, like respiratory secretions from exhalation and saliva. On top of this, medical masks are used to cover the user from fluids scattered during health procedures.
How are medical masks made?
Medical masks are a strip of cloth around the face of a nurse or doctor. In the modern world, non-woven fabrics are made of plastics like polypropylene protection and filtering. Masks are also available in many different grades and styles, depending on the level that a user requires.
Globally, several challenges like the corona pandemic have led to an increasing need for medical masks: crisis management involves acquiring a huge quantity of masks. Many companies have developed various strategies to curb the growing need for medical masks: stabilizing the prices and producing a safe, adequate number. Most nations have provided the required support to meet the demand.
Surgical or medical masks are used to keep operating rooms sterile, avoiding germs from the mouth of the wearer and nose, especially from pollution, especially during surgery of patients.
Types of masks
There are different levels in which medical masks are classified based on the protection the masks offer to the wearer. The least face protection masks are made for short processes or tests that do not entail sprays or liquids:
Level 1 masks
In most cases, the level 1 medical masks have general procedural and surgical applications, with an 80mmHg fluid resistance. It is intended for situations with low risk where there will be no spray or liquid.
Level 2 masks
The masks are 120mmHg resistant to fluids and moderate or light atmospheric sprays, liquids, or dust.
Level 3 masks
The medical mask level 3 is used during exposure to sprays, liquids, or air dust with a fluid resistance of 160mmHg. Masks are made to offer protection against aerosols or stains like sneezing associated with moisture and fit the face shape.
Medical masks are different from procedural masks: procedural masks are mainly used to clean medical facilities like the maternity and intensive care units. The masks are not supported for areas that require a sterile setting, like the operating room.
Medical masks are produced using techniques used in tissue formation. The masks can be classified into woven, unwoven, and knitted masks. Medical masks are vital in a medical setup.