Disposable Masks

Disposable masks are a type of PPE mask that is meant to prevent the transmission of airborne pathogens and particles. A disposable mask is put over a wearer’s nose and mouth to filter through the air passing through, thus providing a barrier against harmful substances. Disposable masks are usually made from breathable fabrics like cotton or polyester and used for a limited period before being discarded.

What are the Importance of Disposable Masks?

Disposable masks have turned out to be one of the key tools in safeguarding our health in this world of airborne diseases and pollutants. Whether it is a medical profession or that of common man, disposable masks can provide simple yet effective protections from infection developments between an infected person and others. A worker in a hospital, public transports, and other daily routines may obtain extra layers of protection from the airborne pathogens with disposable masks.

History of Disposable Masks

Early Beginnings

Although masking to protect from airborne pathogens dates back to the 16th century, when doctors donned beaked masks stuffed with herbs and spices during the Black Death to ward off the plague, disposable masks only started to materialize in the early 20th century. In the context of the 1918 Spanish flu epidemic, health care providers wore cloth masks to protect themselves and their patients from infection.

History of Disposable Masks

Disposable masks have come a long way. The paper and cotton masks that were in vogue during the 1950s and 1960s were successful first-generation masks. Not even slightly effective, the early masks were practically laughable in terms of designing and providing protection. Current disposable masks are quite different from their predecessors, however, because, like all other aspects of technology and materials science, filtration has evolved along with technological development into an incredibly sophisticated product that, by default, protects the wearer as well.

Types of Disposable Masks

Surgical Masks

Surgical masks are generally throwaway, a very common type of mask where their utility is to cover the nose and mouth so that airborne pathogens cannot easily be spread. Such masks usually are three-layered, having an outer liquid-repelling layer, a filtering middle layer to remove particles, and an inner absorbent layer to acquire moisture.

Respirator Masks

The respirator masks, often called N95 masks, filter out a lot more than the surgical masks. Respirator masks can filter out at least 95% of airborne particles from larger droplets to smaller aerosol particles. It is applied in healthcare facilities and construction among other industries where workers expose their persons to hazardous materials.

Dust Masks

Disposable masks filter dust and other particles suspended in air but are not meant for protection against airborne pathogens, so they cannot be used in healthcare.

How Disposable Masks Work

Filtration Mechanism

Disposable masks filter airborne particles and harmful pathogens from the air by having a mechanism known as filtration. The fabric of the mask will capture as minute as 0.1 microns particles, which include bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms. The layers that make the filtration mechanism differ in size, from large particles to small-sized particles.

Breathing Resistance

Another factor that needs to be put into consideration is the breathing resistance level. This can be described as the level of resistance that a person experiences in an attempt to breathe through the mask. A good disposable mask should have a low breathing resistance, and therefore it can be worn for quite some time.

Advantages of Disposable Masks

Protection from Airborne Pathogens

The most significant benefit that disposable masks offer is that they protect the user from aerial pathogens. In other words, because disposable masks filter out pathogens and microorganisms, the wearer has less chance of infection or illness.

Comfort and Convenience

Disposable masks are made comfortable and easy to use. Disposable masks are generally light, breathable, and convenient to put on and remove.

Cost-Efficient

A disposable mask is a low-cost form of providing protection against airborne pathogens. Disposable masks are sometimes cheaper than reusable masks, and they are easier to discard and replace.

Selecting the Appropriate Disposable Mask Selection Factors

There are several types of disposable masks, filtration levels, and mask breathing resistances. The user will make a decision on the mask selected that depends upon mask type, filtration level, and breathing resistance.

Mask Performance Issues

For example, the fitting of a disposable mask, the quality of materials used in its production, and the behavior of the wearer could influence the functionality of a disposable mask.