Face mask testing

There are face covering options for beards. N95 or P2 might be a challenge, but face covering based on cowboy style bandana, or motor cycle wear would seem a great starting place.

Assume your partner’s needs are a little simpler. At least per Victoria’s current requirements.

If it was a workplace that required facial PPE, it might be a little more difficult to accomodate a beard. Depending on the hazard, it could be clean shaven or no job. Fortunately Covid is not demanding that level of compliance in the general environment.

This website has useful info…

https://www.businessinsider.com.au/cdc-recommends-different-facial-hairstyles-work-better-with-face-masks-2020-2?r=US&IR=T

1 Like

That’s right. My other half worked for an agency which found workers for companies requiring face masks/PPE for WPH&S. Any facial hair was automatic disqualification for the positions as there are no face masks which seal over facial hair if any length. Employees who got jobs also had to agree as condition of employment to shave before each work shift to ensure all facial hair was removed immediately before mask application.

2 Likes

I totally agree with work requirements for proper sealing on your face for masks, I think Firefighters have to be clean shaven for that reason, mine grows that fast I’d have to shave twice a day so I grew a Beard instead, I use masks at work but for dust prevention, dust is alot bigger than a virus I’d assume. For me a wrap around scarf or similiar would work but if at the front as a Doctor or Nurse no. I don’t remember seeing a Doctor in a Hospital with a full Beard.

1 Like

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/usernotices/counterfeitResp.html

Scroll down. And down. These are all just Niosh fakes. I wonder what proportion actually are real.
Stumbled on this looking at what best to make our masks from, not that we’re looking to make N95 types.
Buyer beware.

2 Likes

Look for medical grade masks with minimum 3 layers and over 95% BFE strong filtration and TGA approved. Companies such as Virafree have packs of 50 disposable masks for $39.95 and you can order online. There are also medical grade reusable masks K95 Australian made look at https://www.australianmaskspecialist.com/ with packs of 5 for about $53.

However, if you are more fashion conscious, then there are number of Australian companies making them. Just Google Australian made masks and you will find them. But the same rules apply, they must be a minimum 3 layers, the outer layer must be water resistant material, they must cover from the nose to under the chin and there must be no gaps between the face and the mask. However you need to understand whilst these have a use (as are those you can make yourself) and better than no mask at all, you do need to understand they are not medical grade.

2 Likes

Isn’t K95 an abbreviation for the China made standard KN95? Hence not Australian made product.

Australian made product would most likely be specified as P2 (Australia or European) or if to US NIOSH standards N95, no K in either.

https://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/1791500O/comparison-ffp2-kn95-n95-filtering-facepiece-respirator-classes-tb.pdf

The table in the 3M Company comparison illustrates the differences between the standards.

3 Likes

Only Men’s ?

2 Likes

My blueys arrived today. They seem much flimsier than those we used to use in hospitals. Sold by TINAWELLS and thats a Sydney person, but the masks are Chinese. They are triple layer, and look to be the goods, but they just feel too light, to me. I’ll probably end up donating them to the neighbours and friends. Or wear them over the top of a cloth mask if ever I can find the ones I bought!!

Following on from the above post on sterilising masks…and having a relation buying a reusable mask, the question was asked how to sterilise it after use.

Looking online from a reusable medical grade mask manufacturer, they recommend that their used reusable masks are submerged in boiling water for at least 3 minutes (nte: WHO recommends boiling for at least 1 minute for reusable masks), taking care not to come in contact with the boiling water (maybe use clean kitchen tongs). After sterilising, the face mask is dried ready for it’s next use. When drying care needs to be taken to avoid contamination of the mask from one’s hands or surfaces.

It is not recommended to use any other methods as full sterilisation may not be achieved in the domestic environment.

One may also need several masks so one can wear another when sterilising or waiting for the mask to dry.

Consideration of the type of fabric the mask is made of when purchasing as some fabrics may not be suited to a boiling water bath.

1 Like

All while there are basic concerns. The more one ponders and considers what is written in this article, the more concerning our laissez faire system of ‘regulation’ becomes.

3 Likes

I bought a valved mask last year just as the bushfires began and I have been very pleased with the performance for that purpose.

For the virus I now have several different kinds. I’ve paid bazillions (yes, exaggeration) for them, and most are not very comfortable. I have 4 which are home made by ebay people, 2 pleated like surgical masks and 2 sort of shaped, with a pocket for an insertable filter. The pleated ones are only 2 layer as are the others, but with the inserted filter (PM 2.5) the shaped ones become 3 layer.

The masks I bought from the Bundarra company are 3 layer and with a filter become 4 layer. The most comfortable are the Bundarra masks, They are delightfully soft on the face and these also have adjustable ear straps. None have nose wires, but I’m hoping to correct that when my ordered stickon ones arrive. They will also be good during fire season.

I also have a box of “surgical” masks but I find them quite flimsy, the nose wires are not strong and go out of shape quickly, and they don’t fit the face very well. They work best when the ear straps are twisted to go round the ear, it seals the mask a little better. But not much. I tend to only wear those when the others are in the wash.

And yes, I know, its an oldish discussion but masks are still a thing, so worth continuing as required, methinks.

2 Likes

The AS rated P2 face fitted industrial masks with exhaust valves are also my preference for dusty work, occasional spraying and mowing. And they can be tested for face fit - air tightness when on. They are not the most comfortable, nor is the moulded rubber mask with replaceable filters. It too has unfiltered exhaust valves. Neither are capable if you have an infection of keeping it in,

Cloth style masks are useful, per your advice when they have sufficient layers and fit reliably. Ideal are Standards rated P2 or N95 masks.

There are still many examples of others not wearing face masks that have been properly fitted or are the wrong fit.

Observation:
I still wonder why if face marks which can do a great job of keeping a virus in are that effective at keeping it out. For an airborne virus it would seem likely to also settle on any exposed facial skin. It will still be present around the eyes etc after a mask is removed. I’ve not seen any advice to wash your face for 30 seconds after removing a mask. But typical footage of hospitals etc shows staff wearing eye protection and or face shields.

This suggests the real benefit in public of wearing a face mask in public is keeping infections in. Any benefit of keeping an airborne virus out is a bonus, assuming the mask has an effective face seal?

2 Likes

I get the same impression - that, and with mask wearing done by all as it is in some workplaces, it would surely skew the virus transmission vector towards physical transfer surface to surface rather than airborne transmission. This, coupled with copious quantities of automatic hand sanitiser dispensers, also quite prolific in some workplaces, seems like it would be a good step toward reducing transmission.

That coupling of measures probably works well in a workplace where policy drives compliance fairly well and intimate contact is (or should be) limited to nothing - in the home I figure it’s ‘game over’ pretty much …

2 Likes

The partner has used her sewing skills to make masks since the bought ones are either surgical throw-away and/or marginal in comfort and fit. She started by using the on-line patterns one by one. The differences in personal fit and comfort are huge from the outset and then ‘adjusted’ for each of us. With proper fit comes protection; all are 3 layers of ‘approved’ fabric types, as recommended, with some mods so there are no traditional seams so all joint-seams (on this and the others) are rolled over fabric with the thread holes only ‘facing’ on the outside, if that makes sense. This style ticks our boxes best, although we have built up a collection of many others.

image

5 Likes

Good to see the worn through denim jeans look has not made it to mask fashion. :slightly_smiling_face:

4 Likes

HEPA Filter, Air Purifier, Air Quality Monitor, Covid Safe, and Face Mask

I’m half convinced that this is more than just a face mask. Wear one all the time, and you might not need any of the other listed devices? Really! :wink:

Why didn’t we think of this sooner?

Likely a niche market for now?

Fire fighters, miners and others have long had access to breathing and safety systems that keep dust and fumes out while providing filtered clean air.

Is Choice able to source and review some of these?


Or

They seem like the perfect product for anyone highly anxious or concerned about air quality, smoke from fires, or just everyday Covid-19.

P.S.
The professional industrial rated products are fully tested and standards compliant, if the lower tech options don’t appeal. Four figure purchase price for a full kit including rechargable battery packs might not be that appealing, depending on how critical pure air might be.

1 Like
2 Likes

What ever type of mask is worn, if it doesn’t fit and seal, or is not worn properly it will not be effective. Air leaking from the bridge of the nose is one concern. Masks worn towards the tip of the nose and incapable of sealing is another similar problem.

3 Likes

The reports are that even well fitting cloth masks used for Omicron are ‘virtually useless against this kind of airborne aerosolised pathogen’ .

There isn’t any testing of cloth masks and they are often purchased (or made) and worn in the belief they work and provide effective protection. We have been using cloth masks, but our dentist and doctor refuse entry to those who wear them. We didn’t know why, but now do.

We plan to ditch our cloth ones and use N95 masks in higher risk environments.

1 Like