At present, there are two main global standards for protective masks: the American standard and the European standard. Recently, China has also introduced a new national standard for protective masks, which is primarily based on the American NIOSH standard.
The **American Standard (NIOSH)** is developed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. It categorizes masks into three types: N, R, and P. These represent different levels of protection against various particles. N-type masks are designed for non-oily particles, while R and P types are used for oily particles. However, R-type masks are only effective for up to 8 hours, whereas P-type masks have no such restriction. Each category has three filtration efficiency levels: 95 (95%), 99 (99%), and 100 (99.97%). This results in a total of nine mask classifications. Since most biological particles are non-oily, N95 is considered the baseline level, offering at least 95% filtration efficiency for non-oily particles at a flow rate of 85 L/min.
The **European Standard (CE EN 149:2001)** divides masks into three levels: FFP1, FFP2, and FFP3. Unlike the American standard, the European testing method uses a higher flow rate of 95 L/min and tests with DOP oil. This makes it more rigorous in certain aspects.
China's **GB19083-2003** standard follows the principles of the American NIOSH standard but only includes one classification: N95. It uses non-oily sodium chloride (NaCl) particles with a flow rate of 85 L/min and an average particle size of 0.26 μm. The test particles are typically 0.07 μm in diameter. At a filtration efficiency of 95%, the airflow resistance should not exceed 35 mm water column.
Another important metric is **BFE (Bacterial Filtration Efficiency)**, often marked as BFE ≥ 95%. This test method was developed by the Nelson Laboratory in the U.S. It uses 3.0-micron particles and tests at a flow rate of 32 LPM.
Both European and American standards require the use of the **TSI-8130 Automated Filter Tester** for evaluation. For the American N-type masks, the NaCl method is used, while R-type masks use the DOP method. The European standard also uses the DOP method.
The **NaCl method** involves generating salt particles automatically, with an average particle size of 0.2 μm (aggregated average of 0.26 μm, arithmetic average of 0.07 μm). The TSI-8130 measures flow rate, resistance, and transmittance during the test.
In contrast, the **DOP method** generates oil-based particles using DOP oil, with an aggregated average particle size of 0.33 μm and a counted average of 0.20 μm. This method is widely used in both European and American standards to evaluate performance under oily particle conditions.
Understanding these standards helps users choose the right mask depending on their environment and needs. Whether you're working in a medical setting, industrial area, or dealing with airborne pathogens, selecting the appropriate mask based on these standards is crucial for safety.
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