What does a coronavirus respirator look like?
Now let's see firsthand how a respirator should look like, which is effective to protect against coronavirus.
FFP1 respirator
Retains 80% of impurities and blocks the penetration of particles larger than 5 microns. Even if the breathing apparatus passes viral particles, it will still filter out most of the dust particles, droplets infected with the coronavirus.
The price per piece is 150–500 rubles.
FFP2 respirator
Blocks up to 94% of hazardous contaminants, but allows particles less than 2 microns through. Recommended by WHO to protect doctors and medical staff from COVID-19 when performing procedures and communicating with sick people.
The price per piece is 450–600 rubles.
FFP3 respirator
Effective barrier for 99% of viruses, bacteria, mold spores: traps small particles up to 2 microns in size. Provides the highest protection.
The price per piece is 500-600 rubles.
And remember: in addition to wearing a respirator, you must follow the rules of hygiene, wash your hands thoroughly with soap, disinfect the door handles twice a day, and observe the self-isolation regime. Stay home. Take care of yourself and your loved ones.
Project consultant, co-author of the article:
Peculiarities
Respirators belong to personal protective equipment and are divided into several categories: household, medical, industrial. They are divided according to the types of arrangement of the constituent parts and the filter element, which:
- adjoins the half mask;
- located directly in the half mask.
They are also divided according to the degree of application - reusable (RPG-67, RU 67), disposable ("Petal", "Kama"). Classified by purpose:
- gas and dust protection;
- gas mask;
- anti-dust.
In a number of specific situations arising at construction sites, in production shops, the use of respirators as a RPE is more justified than the issuance of other personal protective equipment to workers - gas masks. Therefore, they enjoy a certain popularity among customers.
Respirators in a broad sense are lightweight personal protective equipment. They effectively protect the respiratory tract and lungs in the event of dust formation:
- metal;
- woody;
- concrete;
- radioactive.
Any modern respirator against dust very reliably protects the respiratory tract, but due to the variety of models, it is necessary to use a respirator in accordance with the safety instructions developed at each individual enterprise. Working in such protective equipment is comfortable and safe. They have less resistance to breathing than gas masks and exert minimal mechanical pressure on the head area. Despite the obvious fact of reduced protective properties, the use of respirators in certain situations - at construction sites, production - is fully justified. The filtering part of respirators purifies the air by means of filtration. That is, depending on the type of RPE, it passes through the perchlorovinyl fibers or fine-fiber materials.
Personal protective equipment is resistant to aggressive environments, alkali, acid. They are endowed with hydrophobicity, resistance to high temperatures - up to 60 ° C, the property of high filtration to all existing aerosols. Also on the list of advantages of modern respirators are complete autonomy, in terms of protection from respiratory allergies through filtration, the presence of electrostatic charges to improve the efficiency of air purification, including from the influence of aerosols. The choice of respirators depends on the working conditions or the established regulations indicated in the safety instructions.
