During the time of raging air pollution or respiratory disease, medical masks are indispensable when going out. Currently, many people tend to use medical masks so that they can be discarded immediately after use, without wasting time washing and drying. These types of medical masks have from 2 to 5 layers, the number of different layers will have different uses. So how is that difference? Join us to find out!
Structure of medical masks
With a completely different design compared to ordinary fabric masks, medical masks usually have from 2 to 5 different layers.
2-layer medical mask
Two-layer medical masks are the thinnest, least-layer and least-used medical masks. This medical mask structure usually has only 2 layers: a waterproof non-woven fabric outside and a moisture-absorbing non-woven fabric inside. Therefore, two-layer medical masks are only effective against large particles such as soil, sand, but not against viruses, bacteria or fine dust. This type of mask usually has a rather thin design, some can see through the mask fabric, so the price is also the cheapest among medical masks.
3-layer medical mask
3-layer medical masks are the most popular and used medical masks today. The 3-layer medical mask structure is basic protection with:
- The outer layer is a waterproof non-woven fabric that prevents water from seeping inside as well as blocking most of the large size dirt, this layer Usually the colored layer to distinguish it from the innermost desiccant layer.
- Next is an antibacterial filter cloth made of Polymer fiber, which can minimize harmful bacteria and dirt with the size of less than 10 micrometers
- The last layer is a nonwoven layer with strong moisture absorption ability, helping to prevent drops from the user’s nose, mouth when speaking, coughing, sneezing … from spreading around.
3-layer medical masks are used in many hospitals, community health centers, and centralized medical isolation areas because they are cheap enough to meet the most basic preventive measures.
4-layer medical mask
In order to enhance the ability to filter dust for medical masks, manufacturers have launched a line of medical masks with 4 layers, namely: The waterproof non-woven fabric on the outside, then a layer of fabric. dust filter, antibacterial, followed by a layer of activated carbon and finished with a layer of moisture resistant to mold.
In general, the 4-layer medical mask is not much different from the 3-layer medical mask, the biggest difference lies in the activated carbon filter cloth. Activated carbon has long been used in the treatment of impurities in water, air … Therefore, it is also used in the production of page exports to increase the effect of fine dust filtration and prevent some types of chemicals. toxic substances and gases such as: CO2, SO2, H2S … thereby minimizing the harmful effects on human health.
Activated carbon masks today are usually divided into two main categories, including: The type with activated carbon sheet is placed between two layers of fabric and the type with woven fabric from activated fiber, sewn together.
5-layer medical mask
Compared with the medical masks with 2, 3 or 4 layers, the 5-layer medical mask is a step forward to bring more superior effects. The most popular 5-layer medical mask structure today includes layers: breathable layer, activated carbon layer, electrostatic dust filter layer (fine dust PM2.5), small dust filter layer, waterproof non-woven fabric layer country.
The highlight of the 5-layer mask is the electrostatic dust filter layer that can remove PM2.5 fine dust, a type of dust with a very small size, when entering the body and entering the cells through the bloodstream will destroy autoimmune mechanism of the body, causing many acute diseases and permanent damage to important organs such as lungs, heart, brain …
