"Defense prevention and rational selection of masks" 37 mask products protective performance comparison test results

Reasonable selection of face masks

——Comparative test results of protective performance of 37 masks

China Consumers Association, Shanghai Consumer Protection Committee, Anhui Consumer Association,

Chongqing Consumer Protection Committee, Ningbo Consumer Rights Protection Committee, Harbin Consumers Association

The intensification of air pollution has made masks a necessity. Since the word “Smog” appeared in 2012, various types of masks have appeared in the market. Most of them claim to have dust-proof and anti-dusting functions. They have good filtering effect on PM10 and PM2.5 fine particles. How to choose the right mask for self-protection has been plaguing consumers. Recently, the Consumers Association of China has joined hands with consumers associations (committees) in Shanghai, Anhui, Chongqing, Ningbo and Harbin to conduct comparative tests on masks sold on the local market in an attempt to protect the performance of various masks. Contrast, let the consumers understand the main performance characteristics of mask products, according to their own and environmental conditions, the correct choice, use masks, and at the same time to promote consumer awareness of flood prevention knowledge, better protection of physical health.

"Comparative experiment" is a unique working method for international supervision of goods and services by international consumer organizations. There are significant differences between the comparative tests conducted by the Consumers Association and the quality supervision and inspection conducted by the administrative departments. The quality supervision and spot check is based on the perspective of production. The quality of the product is judged according to the product standards at both the qualified and unqualified levels, and serves as a basis for administrative punishment and education. The comparative test is to purchase samples randomly from various distribution channels from the perspective of consumer purchase and use, and to compare and evaluate the performance, use value, and late-stage use cost of goods and services. Information is objectively introduced to consumers so that consumers can exercise their right to choose and better protect consumer safety and the right to information.

The comparative test samples came from Beijing, Shanghai, Hefei, Chongqing, Ningbo, Harbin, and other cities, shopping malls, supermarkets, medical shops, labor protection supplies stores, wholesale markets, and corresponding shopping sites (see Table 1 for details). A total of 37 samples were purchased for comparison tests, involving 28 mask production and distribution companies; mask prices ranged from 0.58 yuan to 199 yuan each, covering basically the masks of the major brands and varieties sold on the market. The comparative test and test work was entrusted to the National Labor Insurance Products Quality Supervision and Inspection Center (Beijing), referring to the test method for related performance in GB2626-2006 "Respiratory protective equipment self-absorbing filter type particulate respirator" (hereinafter abbreviated as "GB2626-2006"). Comparison of the protective performance of the sample masks such as filter effect, respiratory resistance, and leakage.

First, the test found

1. Sample mask identification confusion

Product tags are the basis for consumers to purchase goods. According to China's existing product standards for masks, mask labels generally require the identification of product names, trademarks or other identifying labels, product models, implementation standards, filter grades, names of manufacturing companies, and some necessary instructions and warnings. content.

The names of the comparative test samples are mostly “*** masks,” “*** protective masks,” and “*** dust masks.” Sample sizes are marked in a variety of ways. The model number; 24 samples marked production date; 24 samples marked the period of validity of the mask, generally labeled as three or five years. There are 12 sample production dates and expiration dates not found.

At present, there are no relevant product standards for anti-fog and anti-PM2.5 masks, and there are many types of standard implementation standards for sample masks. There are 16 samples for the implementation of GB2626-2006; 2 samples for masks implement GB19083-2003 "Technical Requirements for Medical Respirator", 2 samples for masks implement GB15979 "Sanitary Standards for Sanitary Products for Disposable Use", and 4 samples execute enterprise standards. Some samples perform the NIOSH standard in the United States.

PM2.5 Chinese name "fine particles" refers to particles with an equivalent diameter less than or equal to 2.5 microns in the atmosphere. It is a range of particle sizes that can be inhaled into the lungs, can enter the alveolar tissue, and enter the blood circulation, also known as pulmonary particles.

PM10 is called "inhalable particulates" and refers to particulates that have an equivalent diameter of more than 2.5 microns, equal to or less than 10 microns, and can enter the human respiratory system. The PM10 particles adhere to the cilia of the bronchial wall, and the person can discharge PM10-sized inhalable particles to the outside of the body through coughing and evacuation.

There are 12 samples marked with filter grades, with KN90, KN95 and N95 three levels. Among them, “KN” is a classification method prescribed in GB2626-2006 in China, and “N” is a classification method prescribed in the US NIOSH standard.

The NIOSH (National Institute Occupational Safety Health) standards of the U.S. National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health will be divided into three types of masks: N, R and P series: N stands for Not resistant to oil, which can be used to protect non-oily aerosols. R stands for Resistant to oil and can be used to protect non-oily and oily aerosols. P stands for Oil Proof and can be used to protect non-oily and oily aerosols. The "R" is limited to 8 hours in use time. “The minimum filtration efficiency of the filter media is divided into the following three grades: “95 rating” means the lowest filtration efficiency is 95%, “99 rating” means the lowest filtration efficiency is 99%, and “100 rating” means the lowest filtration efficiency is 99.97%.

China's GB2626-2006 "Respiratory protection self-absorbing filter type particulate respirator" follows the United States NIOSH standard form. The mask is divided into KN and KP according to the filter material. The minimum filtration efficiency of the filter element is divided into the following three levels: " The "90 rating" indicates the lowest filtration efficiency of 90.0%, the "95 rating" indicates the lowest filtration efficiency of 95.0%, and the "100 rating" indicates the lowest filtration efficiency of 99.97%. The standard non-oily particle median diameter is 0.075±0.020 μm, and the standard oil particle size has a median diameter of 0.185±0.020 μm.

This comparative test sample does not involve the protection of oily particles.

2. The effect of filtering particulate matter varies greatly

The comparative test tests the “filter efficiency” to test the filtering effect of different masks on particulate matter. "Filter efficiency" is the percentage of particulate matter removed by the mask under the specified experimental conditions. The experimental particles are sodium chloride particles with a diameter of 0.075±0.020 μm in the technology and belong to PM2.5; the detection flow rate is (85±4) liters/min. After testing, 15 of the 37 mask samples had good initial filtration efficiency (see Table 2, the same below).

The filter protection function of the particulate matter on the mask is related to the material and structure of the mask. According to market research, the most common consumers buy masks are two kinds. One is disposable masks made of non-woven materials with filtering properties, and the other is replaceable filter-type masks. The results of this comparative test show that the filtering effect of disposable masks is generally better than that of replaceable filter-type masks.

In this comparative test, "disposable masks" refer to masks that are made of non-woven materials with filterability, and are not washable or reusable. At present, there are mainly disposable cup masks, disposable folding masks and disposable flat masks on the market. "Replaceable filter-type cloth mask" refers to the filter mask with a filter effect inserted into the middle of the mask. Both sides of the mask are generally made of cloth material.

The replaceable filter-type cloth mask is a new type of mask product. Although the filter material has certain filtering performance on the particulate matter, the filter area is smaller than the overall area of ​​the mask, and the insertion of the filter piece also increases respiratory resistance. Therefore, some gas will enter the mask through the cloth around the filter to reduce the filtering effect of the mask. This is the main reason for the poor filtering effect of the replaceable filter cloth mask.

In the market, especially in the small-commodity market, some knitted fabric mask samples can only filter larger particles. The test results show that the anti-mite effect is poor.

3. The better the mask and face fit, the better the protective effect

The protective effect of the mask is closely related to the fit of the mask and the face when worn. Adhesion is good, the air outside the mask is not easy to enter the mask from the edge of the mask and is inhaled by the body. Leakage rate refers to the ratio of the concentration of particulate matter entering the mask from the part of the mask and face to the face and the material of the mask to the concentration of the particulate matter in the test environment, and to assess the fit of the mask to the face. The fit of the mask is closely related to the shape and structure of the mask.

The comparative test results showed that the fitting performance of the disposable cup mask and the disposable folding mask was much better than the disposable flat mask and the replaceable filter type mask. Among the 15 disposable cup masks and folded mask samples, 12 sample masks had a good fit to the face.

4. It's hard to have both anti-mite and comfort

Masks that are comfortable and have good protective effect can give consumers the best protection, and they should also be the direction pursued by the civil mask industry. A comparison test of the respiratory resistance of masks was intended to compare the comfort of wearing masks. The greater the resistance to breathing, the less comfortable it is to wear and the longer time you wear it.

The results of comparative trials found that samples with low respiratory resistance (“respiratory resistance”, a five-star) may have low filtration efficiency or a high leakage rate in addition to exhalation valve samples. Therefore, people suffering from respiratory diseases or old or weak should pay attention when selecting masks. Respiratory resistance of masks should be considered. When choosing a mask, first place the mask on your face, feel normal breathing, and use a mask that is comfortable and breathes relatively smoothly.

5. The exhalation valve works well

A good exhalation valve can effectively reduce the exhalation resistance of the mask. The exhalation valve is a one-way outlet valve that allows only gas to be exhaled from the interior of the mask during exhalation and prevents gas from passing through it into the mask during inhalation. The use of an exhalation valve improves the comfort of the mask.

There are 3 samples in the comparative test sample with an exhalation valve. After testing, the respiratory resistance of the exhalation valve sample was small.

6. Performance is not proportional to price

37 models of comparative test samples were purchased from different retail outlets. The most expensive one was 199 yuan each and the cheapest mask was less than 1 yuan each.

Compared to disposable masks, replaceable filter-type masks are not only expensive, but they are generally less protective than disposable masks.

Masks with an exhalation valve are comfortable, because one part is added, so the price will be higher than similar products without valve.

7. Different sales channels, different mask quality

In this comparative test sample, two samples without Chinese labels were purchased through the Internet. The quality of masks sold by supermarkets, shopping malls and pharmacies is relatively reliable.

Second, buy tips

There are many types of masks, including professional dust masks, medical masks, warm masks, etc. Different masks are divided into various types. Therefore, consumers should buy different masks to wear in the formal channels according to the specific circumstances when choosing a mask.

1. For different environments, it is recommended to wear different types of masks for protection.

For hazy weather, when the concentration of particulate matter is estimated to reach the level of pollution, anti-fog and smog masks should be worn when traveling. At present, the mask with good anti-fog and haze effect is a disposable cup mask and a disposable folding mask made of a non-woven material with a filtering effect. Note that these two types of masks are not washable and cannot be reused. When feeling odor in the mask or a feeling of boring breathing, they should be discarded and replaced with new ones.

When going to the hospital or having an flu outbreak, it is recommended to wear a qualified "medical protective mask" for effective protection.

When consumers engage in home appliances and other toxic substances, it is recommended to wear professional gas masks to protect them. The gas mask consists of a mask and a filter box. The mask is usually a silica gel or a rubber mask. The filter box refers to a filter element filled with activated carbon. Different types of filter cartridges have adsorption and filtration performance for different toxic gases or vapors. For example, type A cartridges can effectively adsorb and protect against the vapors of organic substances such as formaldehyde, benzene and toluene.

2. Wear masks that vary from person to person.

People suffering from respiratory diseases or older people should not wear masks with higher resistance. Currently, masks with exhalation valves can be selected. When the weather is bad, it's best to close the doors and windows, stay home, and don't go out.

Children should also wear masks when they go out, but the time should not be too long. The size of the mask should suit the child's face, and the respiratory resistance of the mask should not be large. Parents can put masks on their faces to breathe normally, feel smooth, and remind their children to change their masks when they feel uncomfortable.

3. Wear face mask according to use

Some people are accustomed to wearing masks to keep warm. It is recommended to use a general cloth mask. It should be reminded that the environment inside the mask is very suitable for bacterial growth. Therefore, it is important to keep the mask clean and regularly clean and disinfect.

If you want to wear a mask during the exercise, it is recommended to use a mask with less respiratory resistance so that the moisture and carbon dioxide produced during exercise breathing can be exhaled in time.

Third, problems and suggestions

This comparative test adopts the test method of related performance in GB2626-2006. From the perspective of helping to protect the health of consumers, the initial filtration efficiency, respiratory resistance and leakage rate of the masks were uniformly tested, and the differences in the protective performance among the various types of masks were compared. Objectively introduce the characteristics and advantages and disadvantages of different types of masks to consumers, and guide consumers to choose suitable masks for self-protection. In the sample purchase process, we found that there are many speculations in the mask market, speculation, generalization, and false propaganda. Some mask companies use "PM2.5" as a trademark (TM); some companies use the filtering performance of masks in masks as an indication of the performance of masks; some Internet shopping platforms do not have Chinese labels for mask products.

Although the masks are small, they are related to the health and safety of consumers. According to the results of this comparative experiment, the China Consumers Association recommends:

1. The relevant departments of the state shall further regulate the production and sales of mask products, pay close attention to the revision and improvement of relevant standards, promote the technological innovation of enterprises, continuously improve the quality of products, and provide quality products for consumers.

2. All relevant production and sales companies should strictly control the quality standards from the perspective of actual consumer use. They should not make false statements, exaggerate publicity, be honest and trustworthy, and operate in accordance with the law, in an effort to create a good consumer environment.

3. We hope that the whole society will act together, step up efforts to control air pollution, allow people to breathe clean air, and eventually throw away masks to jointly protect consumer health and safety.

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