NOT ALL masks against the coronavirus are of quality: not all of them and not always, in fact, are able to protect us from the smallest particles of the virus – l’aerosol – which can reach dimensions equal to fractions of a thousandth of a millimeter. The problems can be various: in some cases we can speak of errors or real scams, in some circumstances when the certifications do not correspond to the truth (as highlighted by a previous investigation), especially in the case of Ffp2 or Ffp3 filter masks. While in other circumstances the low quality is due to the fact that we test them for the ability to filter microorganisms such as bacteria of a few micrometers, much larger than the virus. Here are some tips to recognize quality masks and how to try to defend ourselves from risks with our behaviors.
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One of the problems recently emerged concerns the presence of fake masks of type Ffp2 and Ffp3, imported from China, and this irregularity would affect, in a cumulative manner, several million devices arrived from the beginning of the pandemic to date. In general, at the beginning of the health emergency, decree 14 of 9 March 2020 opened (and until the end of the emergency) the placing on the market for reasons of necessity including masks without the CE mark, subject to the favorable opinion of the Institute. Superior of Health. This opinion is based on the self-certification of the materials by private entities that indicate characteristics and all the necessary information.
“This derogation, however, has favored, obviously in an unwanted and indirect way, the emergence of some anomalies”, comments Antonio Vittorino Gaddi, past President of the Medicine and Surgery Degree Course at the University of Bologna Alma Mater Studiorum. Gaddi has dealt with and is working on the subject and is the spokesperson for a group – in course of training – of doctors and engineers, with the aim of increasing knowledge and access to quality masks. “The problems are related to possible irregularities, often difficult to find, in the production chain or in the certification. We must keep in mind that the occurrence of these anomalies can make one of our first defenses against the virus inefficient”.
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Also to defend against the risks of low quality masks, the Istituto Superiore di Sanità recommends buying them through official channels, such as pharmacies or supermarkets. And check, in the case of Ffp2, the presence of the important En149: 2001, which indicates compliance with the standard. Another rule is about controlling how they present themselves. If they have different shapes from each other or do not adhere to the face it is better to prefer others.
That of non-compliant certifications it is not the only obstacle to optimal protection against the coronavirus. A recent Italian study, published in Environmental Research and Public Health, conducted by several universities and institutions, showed that out of 120 models of masks analyzed, more than 60% met the filtering requirements, such as bacterial filtration efficiency and breathability, while almost 40% did not fall into this category. . The best (those within the 60% slice) are mostly non-woven polypropylene masks composed of at least three layers.
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While those made of other materials (and / or with fewer layers) fall more easily among the unsuitable ones. “We must keep in mind – Gaddi specifies – when we read high filtration percentages – for example 99% – that these values, as indicated on the package, refer to the bacterial filtration efficiency and not specifically of the coronavirus or other viruses. Usually the passage of bacteria much larger than Sars-Cov-2 is tested, for this reason and also in the light of the above results Environmental Research and Public Health in my opinion, the criteria with which the evaluations are carried out to validate the masks should be revised “.
The masks are a complete shield
Without prejudice to the essentiality of the masks – whether they are surgical or Ffp2 – in helping us defend ourselves from the coronavirus, it is always good to remember that these devices are not infallible, that their effectiveness is manifested above all when worn correctly and when combined with other measures. , in the first place the distancing. To put them well you have to make them adhere well to the face, to the nose – therefore tighten the underwire and move it as little as possible – remove them when necessary, change them each time they are used (put them in a special bag if removed for a short time), do not manipulate them and still as little as possible. All reminding us to stay at a distance: now, with the new variants of the coronavirus, when possible at least 2 meters – especially when you don’t have a mask, for example while eating.
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