The word "mask" means an object with slots for the eyes (and sometimes for the nose and mouth) covering the face. The purposes of its use are various: from participation in ceremonies to protection against dangerous infections. Facial masks are also cosmetic, that is, in this case we are talking about applying to the skin certain mixtures of ingredients that provide nourishing and restoring effects.
The main theme of this article is a protective face mask, the purpose of which is to prevent contact of the skin, eyes and upper respiratory tract with harmful and dangerous substances and microorganisms.
What masks are there and what are they for?
Face mask can be presented in different forms. There are half masks designed to protect only the respiratory system (respirators), glasses that protect only the eyes, and combined protective equipment that covers the face completely. There are masks whose main purpose is to prevent injury. They cover the whole face, but are ineffective in protecting the respiratory system from harmful and dangerous substances (for example, a hockey goalkeeper mask).
Medical masks are designed to prevent infectious agents from getting into the skin of the face, eyes and respiratory tract. For this purpose goggles and respirators are used. The latter can be either disposable (this option is preferable) or reusable (they must be subjected to special processing methods after use that destroy microorganisms hazardous to health).
A face mask is indispensable in production, for example, when performing welding work, when working in a room with a high concentration of dust and other dangerous substances in terms of the development of occupational lung diseases (asbestosis, anthracosis and other pneumoconioses).
Protective masks used by the military can only be used to prevent injuries to the face and head, or to prevent recognition or to perform the function of protection against toxic substances (gas masks).
Protective masks include breathing masks for pilots and divers. They are designed to provide breathing in an oxygen-free environment.
Personal protective equipment, affordable and convenient to use.
Face protection mask (transparent) is widely used in various fields (for example, construction, medicine) and is designed to protect against flying small objects (dust, chips, etc.), as well as from contact with the skin and mucous membranes of biological materials (blood, saliva etc.). It is made of polymeric materials, which makes it easy and safe to use (there is no risk of breaking it and getting injured by fragments). Of course, this mask is not suitable for the role of a respirator, that is, it does not prevent inhalation of dangerous substances and microorganisms.
It can be in the form of glasses (and protect only the eyes) or in the form of a shield covering the entire face. To protect the upper respiratory tract, it is additionally required to wear a mask made of filter materials or having a system of replaceable filters. Plastic glasses, for example, often provide for sharing with a respirator, so their shape is maximally adapted for this purpose.
Pneumoconiosis Prevention
Inhalation of many substances is detrimental to health. The consequences can occur immediately or after a certain period of time. To avoid this, you should use face masks from dust. Most often they are presented in the form of half masks that cover only the mouth and nose and imply the additional use of glasses to protect the eyes, if necessary.
How to protect yourself from hazardous chemicals?
Working with certain substances jeopardizes human health. Chemistry face masks are designed to minimize the risk of contact of such materials with the skin and mucous membranes. Working with toxic products implies the possibility of personal injury if personal protective measures are not followed. Chemical compounds can cause burns and poisoning. Therefore, to avoid contact with them, the use of masks that reliably protect the face, as well as preventing the inhalation of volatile toxic substances, is required.
In this case, a combination of a respirator with goggles or a protective transparent shield is often used. When working with particularly hazardous substances, there is a need for complete isolation from external factors. For this purpose, for example, gas masks are used. The absorbing and neutralizing ingredients in them are activated carbon and special chemical absorbers.
Medical masks
Their main purpose is to protect against infectious agents. A face mask in medicine is usually presented in the form of a respirator or plastic glasses. The use of disposable masks made of filtering materials is a common practice in all medical institutions. They are used not only by medical personnel, but also by patients. These products provide good protection against infectious agents entering the respiratory tract and also prevent the spread of pathogens from the carrier. The only pity is that the effect does not last long. Ideally, these masks should be changed every two hours.
SARS: how to protect yourself?
Face masks for the prevention of influenza may be different. For this purpose, you can use disposable medical masks, which were discussed above, or use gauze dressings made by yourself. Wearing a respirator for protection against dust is also not forbidden.
The influenza virus is transmitted by airborne droplets, i.e. with droplets of saliva from a sick person during sneezing and even talking. Wearing a mask covering your mouth and nose significantly reduces the risk of infection. The main thing is to follow certain rules:
- Follow the instructions. If it is said that the mask should be replaced after two hours, then you need to do just that.
- Do not reuse disposable masks.
- Gauze dressings should be changed every four hours. Used must be washed and ironed for disinfection.
- The mask should fit snugly to the face, leaving no gaps where possible.
- Touching the mask with your hands is not recommended. If this happens, wash your hands thoroughly.
And, of course, we should not forget about other preventive measures for more complete protection against possible infection.
Infection prevention
Medical personnel are at daily risk of exposure to dangerous infectious diseases. AIDS and hepatitis have long been considered occupational diseases of physicians. Infections transmitted by airborne droplets (influenza and SARS) also cause temporary disability of doctors. How to protect yourself?
A face mask against infections is essentially the same disposable medical mask described above. When used correctly (replacing with a new one every two hours), it can effectively protect the respiratory tract from the entry of pathogenic agents into them.
However, this is not enough if we talk about the prevention of infections, the infection of which is carried out by contact with the patient’s blood. In addition to a face protection mask, plastic glasses must be used without fail. Do not forget about other protective measures, such as the use of disposable gloves, thorough hand washing, a surgical apron, and replaceable work clothes that are regularly disinfected.
Protection is required at any age.
Children's face masks are primarily medical masks, the principle of which does not differ from those for adults. The difference is only in size. Like adults, children's products vary depending on the goals for which they were created. In addition to medical ones that prevent infection by contact with a sick person, there are, for example, sports masks that protect the face from injuries, as well as children's gas masks and respirators, the task of which is to prevent life-threatening gases from entering the lungs.
Summarize
The main task that the protective mask performs is to prevent contact of the skin and mucous membranes with potentially dangerous agents, whether it is sports equipment, combustion products or pathogens. There are masks for all cases, designed for use not only by adults, but also by children.
The choice of personal protective equipment is wide and allows you to choose exactly what can reliably and effectively prevent damage to health.