Which masks are the most suitable for my situation?
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What is the difference between FFP2, FFP3 and N95?
FFP2/3 is the European standard equivalent to N95/N99 (US standard).
For more details:
International standard equivalents:
| Â Filtering effect | Europe | USA | China* | ||
| >= 90% | - | - | KN90 | KP90 | |
| >= 95% | FFP2 | N95 | P95 | KN95 | KP95 |
| >= 99% | FFP3 | N99 | P99 | - | - |
| >= 99.97% | - | N100 | P100 | KN100 | KP100 |
*KN: suitable for filtering non-oily particles such as coal dust, cement dust, acid fog, paint fog.
KP: Suitable for filtering oily and non-oily particles such as soot, asphalt smoke, coke oven smoke, diesel exhaust particles
European standard:
| PROTECTION CLASS | EN 149:2001+A1: 2009 FILTRATION EFFICIENCY, PARAFFIN OIL |
NOMINAL PROTECTION FACTOR ACCORDING TO EN 529:2005 |
| FFP1 |
80% |
4 |
| FFP2 | 94% | 12 |
| FFP3 | 99% | 50 |
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Filtering half masks are approved in the protection classes FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3 and must satisfy requirements such as: how effectively particles are removed, breathing resistance and inward leakage. A higher class also covers the lower classes. Zekler’s filtering half masks are approved in protection classes FFP2 and FFP3.
| PROTECTION Against: |
Viruses |
Bacteria | Spores | Biochemical compounds (enzymes, hormones) | Carcinogenic and radioactive substances |
| FFP1 |
No |
No | No | No | No |
| FFP2 (N95) | No* | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| FFP3 (N99) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Source: Zekler, Sweden
*Masks not made to protect against viruses, however, it acts as a more effective barrier than medical masks. FFP2 is considered approximately equivalent to N95 as of US Standard. See question below.
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What is the difference between face masks (medical/surgical) and FFP2/FFP3/N95?
| Â Medical/Surgical Mask | Â FFP2/FFP3/N95 | |
| Purpose | Barrier to splash, droplets, and spit. | Protects from exposure to airborne particles. In a healthcare setting, protects from exposure to biological aerosols including viruses and bacteria. |
| Face Seal Fit | Not designed to fit tight to face. | Designed to fit tight to face creating a seal around the perimeter of the respirator to improve protection. |
| Filtration | Does not effectively filter small particles from air. | Effectively filters large and small particles from air. |
| Leakage | Leakage occurs around the edge of the mask when the user inhales. | When properly fitted and donned, minimal leakage around edges of the respirator when the user inhales. |
| Use Limitations | One time use (one patient encounter). | Single use. Should be discarded when it becomes damaged or deformed; no longer forms an effective seal to the face; becomes wet or visibly dirty; breathing through it becomes more difficult; or if it becomes contaminated with blood, respiratory or nasal secretions, or other bodily fluids from patients. |
Source: CDC (Centers for Disease Controls and Prevention), USA
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What is the difference between medical and surgical face masks?
Global standards of face masks:
| Regions | Certified Standards |
| EU | EN 14683 |
| US | ASTM F2100-2011 |
| China, Taiwan | CNS 14774:2018 |
| Australia | AS 4381-2015 |
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EU standard of face mask requirements:
|  | Bacterial Filtration Efficiency (%) | Differential Pressure (Pa/cm²) | Splash Resistance Pressure (kPa) | Microbial Cleanliness (cfu/g) |
| Type I (medical mask) | ≥ 95 | < 29.4 | Not required | ≤ 30 |
| Type II (surgical mask) | ≥ 98 | < 29.4 | Not required | ≤ 30 |
| Type IIR (surgical mask) | ≥ 98 | < 49.0 | ≥ 16 | ≤ 30 |
Source: Medline
Type IIR is the highest standard of all face masks in EU standard, given that it exceeds 98 bacterial filtration efficiency and is the only standard with fluid resistance among face masks.