Protective Effect and Cleaning of Industrial Dust Mask
Industrial dust masks are masks that effectively filter particulate dust that are one-twentieth the size of PM2.5.
There are various types of industrial dust masks, and the selection must be based on different operating requirements and working conditions. As a half-face mask, all industrial dust masks are suitable for environments where the concentration of harmful substances do not exceed 10 times the occupational exposure limit. Otherwise, a full face mask or a higher-level respirator should be used.
1. Protective effect
If the particulate matter is highly toxic, carcinogenic and radioactive, the filter material with the highest filtering efficiency should be selected. If the particulate matter is oily, be sure to select an appropriate filter material. If the particulate matter is needle-like fibers, such as slag wool, asbestos, glass fiber, industrial dust masks cannot be washed with water, and masks with microfibers attached to the sealing parts of the face can easily cause facial irritation and are not suitable for use.
Whether industrial dust masks really play a protective role, in addition to the selection of protective functions, another important selection factor is suitability. There is no one-size-fits-all design that can fit all faces. The certification test of industrial dust masks does not guarantee that the masks are suitable for each specific user. If there is a leak, air pollutants will enter the breathing area from the leak.
2. Cleaning skills
The outer layer of industrial dust masks tends to accumulate a lot of dust, bacteria and other dirt in the outside air, while the inner layer blocks exhaled bacteria and saliva. Therefore, the two sides cannot be used alternately, otherwise the dirt on the outer layer will be contaminated, and it will become a source of infection by inhaling the body when it is directly attached to the face. When the mask is not worn, it should be folded into a clean envelope, and the side close to the nose and mouth should be folded inward. Do not put it in your pocket or hang it around your neck.
If industrial dust masks are wetted by exhaled heat or saliva, their effectiveness in blocking germs will be greatly reduced. Therefore, it is best to prepare a few more masks so that they can be replaced and washed once a day. When washing, it should be boiled with boiling water for 5 minutes.
Industrial dust masks should be cleaned and disinfected every day. Both gauze masks and air filter masks can be disinfected by heating.
