Surgical masks FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3: the main differences

FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3 masks are face masks (the acronym FPP in English stands for Filtering Facepiece) made of fabric and filter material, designed to prevent particles of various sizes from contaminating the respiratory system.

The differences between FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3 masks

The progressive numbering (FFP1, FPP2, FFP3) indicates the air filtering capacity , both towards the outside and towards the wearer. FFP1 masks have a limited filtering capacity (equal to approximately 80%), as they are able to block only the largest particles in the breathed air, while FPP2 has a filtering efficiency of 95%. The FPP3, on the other hand, manages to filter 98% of particles, and is the best-performing mask in its category.

Before the Covid-19 pandemic, these Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) were mainly used in industry, to protect workers from fine dust, fumes and aerosols generated during the processing of toxic materials and substances.

However, since viruses are infectious agents of tiny dimensions, smaller than the so-called "fine dust" on which FFP masks are tested, it is not yet clear how effective the latter are against Covid-19. The Istituto Superiore di Sanità recommends that the population use surgical masks or community masks, that is, "disposable masks or washable masks, even self-produced, in multilayered materials suitable for providing an adequate barrier and, at the same time, that guarantee comfort and breathability, adequate shape and adherence that allow coverage from the chin to above the nose".  If the person has symptoms of respiratory infection, they will instead have to use masks certified as medical devices.

Medical personnel are recommended to use a surgical mask or, in case of direct contact with patients positive for the virus in an environment where aerosol-generating procedures (AGP) are performed, an FPP2 or FPP3 device.

In order to contain the contagion, masks with valves should be avoided, since they expel the air exhaled by the wearer without filtering it (bacterial filtration rate at exit of 20%), and therefore do not protect other people.

Surgical masks

They are medical devices used by healthcare personnel to protect patients from the transmission of infectious agents. They are divided into three categories based on the bacterial filtration efficiency (BFE):

• TYPE I (BFE  ≥ 95%);
• TYPE II (BFE  ≥ 98%);
• TYPE IIR (BFE  ≥ 98% with mechanical resistance to splashes).

However, surgical masks have a reduced filtering capacity from the outside towards the wearer ( incoming BFE of about 20% ) mainly due to the poor adherence to the face and the type of non-water-repellent fabric. Consequently, they are useful to prevent the wearer from infecting others, but do not guarantee adequate protection against virus particles coming from the outside.

In general, surgical masks should be used for a maximum of 4 hours , while disposable FPP2 masks should be used for 8-10 hours . After this period of time, they lose their filtering capacity.

Washable filter masks

These devices are made of washable fabric and are reusable. There are many models on the market, but it is preferable to choose only CE certified products registered with the Ministry of Health with the wording " CE medical device ", compliant with the requirements required by law and with effectiveness demonstrated by accurate clinical tests.

Herpaso Mask , for example, is a CE certified mask and registered as a CE class I medical device that has a bacterial filtration index (BFE) of 98.7% on entry (protection for the wearer) and 98.5% on exit (protection towards other people). Its filtering efficiency is therefore superior to the surgical mask and the FPP2, and drops to just 96% after the twentieth wash.

Unlike surgical masks, which can be irritating to the skin due to the presence of titanium dioxide, these devices are comfortable to wear , as well as more aesthetically pleasing, thanks to the different colors and patterns available. Furthermore, they are less polluting and more economical , because they can be reused many times before losing their filtering properties.