Face Masks With Built-in Filters Give Extra Protection From Swine Flu, According To Clinova Statement

Main Category: Swine Flu
Also Included In: Medical Devices / Diagnostics;  Flu / Cold / SARS;  Public Health
Article Date: 01 May 2009 - 8:00 PDT

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People who want to take extra precautions against swine flu should look for masks with built-in filters, according to Dr Robin J Harman, a pharmaceutical and regulatory expert," There has been much debate about the benefits of wearing a mask to prevent infection with swine flu. Ordinary surgical masks provide some protection from airborne particles, but the UK Department of Health has stated that `basic face masks don't protect people from becoming infected'. However, masks with built-in particle filters that are CE marked and meet the European Standard class FFP3 have efficiency of 99% or more." A filtering facepiece (FFP3) device is a mask that provides a high level of filtering capability and face fit, and generates an effective barrier to both droplets and fine aerosols.

Swine flu virus is spread when miniscule droplets emitted by coughing and sneezing or deposited on hands and surfaces reach the nose or mouth. If you block the particles from being inhaled, for example, with a mask with a built-in particle filter, you can help reduce your risks of becoming infected.

A scientific study has shown that 20-85% of virus particles can penetrate two ordinary types of surgical mask, and potentially expose the wearer to infection(2). But masks with FFP3 respirators, such as the Covaflu FFP3 face mask, will block more than 99% of airborne virus droplets that are 0.3 microns in size - the majority of swine flu-infected droplets will be larger than this.

UK manufacturer, Clinova, has seen a surge in demand in the past week for Covaflu FFP3 face masks, which meet World Health Organisation, US Centers for Disease Control, and the UK Health and Safety Executive standards for use in influenza pandemics. "Our Covaflu FFP3 face masks meet the highest criteria for preventing harmful particles entering the system, which could result in infection. We have increased production by 10,000% to meet demand and set up a special order form on our website, so that people who want to take extra measures to protect themselves in a pandemic will have access to the best possible protective masks," said Jim Tremouliaris, MRPharmS MPharm, Pharmacist and Chief Operating Officer, Clinova Ltd.

Source
Clinova

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