Types of Masks in Healthcare: Uses, Protection Levels & Comparison

🩺 Types of Masks 

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🔹 1. Cloth Mask

• Material: Made of cotton or fabric.

• Use: For general public use (non-medical).

• Protection Level: Low.

• Reusable: ✅ Yes (washable).

• Features:

  • Reduces spread of droplets.

  • Not suitable for healthcare settings.

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🔹 2. Surgical Mask / Medical Mask

• Material: 3-layer (non-woven fabric).

• Use: Worn by medical staff during surgeries and patient care.

• Protection Level: Moderate (against large droplets, splashes, sprays).

• Reusable: ❌ No (single-use).

• Features:

  • Loosely fitting.

  • Protects others from wearer's respiratory emissions.

  • Fluid-resistant.

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🔹 3. N95 Respirator Mask

• Material: Electrostatic non-woven polypropylene fiber.

• Use: For healthcare workers in high-risk settings.

• Protection Level: High (filters ≥ 95% airborne particles).

• Reusable: ❌ No (single-use; some models allow limited reuse).

• Features:

  • Tight-fitting.

  • Filters both large and small particles.

  • Protects both wearer and others.

• Types:

  • Valved N95: Easier to breathe out, but not ideal in sterile environments.

  • Non-valved N95: Preferred in medical settings.

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🔹 4. KN95 Mask

• Use: Chinese equivalent of N95.

• Protection Level: Similar to N95 (≥95% filtration).

• Reusable: ❌ No.

• Note: Not always approved by health agencies like NIOSH (USA).

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🔹 5. FFP Masks (Europe)

• Full Form: Filtering Facepiece.

• Types:

  • FFP1 – Low protection (80% filtration).

  • FFP2 – Medium (94% filtration; similar to N95).

  • FFP3 – High (99% filtration; more protective than N95).

• Use: Common in Europe for infection control.

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🔹 6. P100 / N100 Respirators

• Filtration: ≥99.97% (even finer than N95).

• Use: Industrial or high-contamination environments.

• Reusable: ✅ Yes (with filter changes).

• Note: Used when working with toxic substances like asbestos.

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🔹 7. Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR)

• Components: Battery-powered blower + filter + facepiece.

• Use: High-risk medical procedures (ICU, COVID-19 care).

• Protection Level: Very High.

• Reusable: ✅ Yes (components like filters are replaceable).

• Features:

  • Provides positive airflow.

  • More comfortable for long use.

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📊 Comparison Table

Type	Use	Protection Level	Reusable	Notes
Cloth Mask	Public use	Low	✅ Yes	Wash regularly
Surgical Mask	Medical, patient care	Moderate	❌ No	Protects others from the wearer
N95 Mask	Medical, high risk	High (≥95%)	❌ No	Tight-fitting
KN95 Mask	General public/healthcare	High (≈N95)	❌ No	Chinese standard
FFP2 / FFP3	Europe (healthcare)	High	❌/✅	FFP3 offers max protection
P100 / N100	Industrial, toxic fumes	Very High	✅ Yes	For toxic particles
PAPR	ICU, COVID-19 settings	Very High	✅ Yes	Best protection

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🧠 Key Points for Exams

• N95 = filters 95% of particles ≥0.3 microns.

• Surgical mask = protects others more than wearer.

• PAPR = best protection in healthcare settings.

• FFP2 ≈ N95, FFP3 > N95.

• Masks with valves = not recommended during infectious outbreaks (as they don’t filter exhaled air).

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