The rules on masks they have changed. To cope with the high contagiousness of Omicron, the Italian government has ordered the obligation to wear ffp2 bezels in certain contexts. This obligation will be in force until March 31st. But what are their characteristics, and why do they protect the most?
What are ffp2 masks
The ffp2 masks, where “ffp” stands for “filtering facepiece”, are governed by the technical standard UNI EN 149: 2009. If the ffp1 filter at least 80% of the suspended particles, for the ffp2 the percentage rises to 94% (99% filtering is guaranteed by ffp3 instead). Therefore, the ffp2 masks are used for stop airborne viruses just like Covid-19. In fact, they protect more than ffp1, generally used in the workplace to protect themselves from dust, but less than ffp3 which allow you to block even the smallest particles of 0,6 micrometers. What about surgical masks? Their function is, mainly, to prevent a Coronavirus positive from infecting. In fact, they block 95% of the particles coming out, but the protection in entry stops at 20%.
The ffp2 masks are made up of one internal layer in non-woven fabric which absorbs the humid particles emitted from the nose and mouth, to guarantee the wearer the right comfort. They follow two intermediate layers: the first holds the smallest particles electrostatically, the second is equipped with a polypropylene filter that captures the particles suspended in the air. Finally, it outer layer (water repellent) blocks larger particles from entering. Once much more expensive now the white ffp2 masks cost € 0,75 each (the price in pharmacies has been controlled by the government).
Where they are mandatory
The ffp2 masks are mandatory in a number of contexts. First of all, they must be worn to board:
- planes
- ships and ferries
- trains
- buses and coaches
- buses and coaches hired with driver
- cable cars, cable cars and chairlifts
- subways
- tram
In addition, they are mandatory for shows (outdoors or indoors) which take place in theaters, concert halls, cinemas, entertainment and live music venues and other similar venues. And, again, for those who attend a sport event (and therefore also at the stadium).
How much do the ffp2 masks protect?
To suggest how much ffp2 masks protect is a study conducted by the German research institute Max Planck. Considering a positive for Covid-19, and an unvaccinated person, it is enough that the two are closer than three meters for five minutes for the unvaccinated person to become infected. If both wear ffp2, however, the risk of contagion is drastically reduced: after twenty minutes, it is about 0,1%. A second study, published in the journal Jama Internal Medicine, finally found that cloth or surgical masks have an efficiency in the containment of viral particles ranging between 26% and 79%, the ffp2 instead reaches 98,4%.
Featured image from Pixabay
