Respirator has the same level of protection against Covid-19 as the non-valve type. But if you have SARS-CoV-2 and do not know it, you can infect others if the face mask contains valves.
The CDC has formally recommended that Americans wear a face mask when traveling in public to help reduce the spread of corona virus, it is important to follow those guidelines while also being aware of the face mask you are wearing.
Respirators with valves should not be used during the Covid-19 pandemic
Face mask valves are commonly found on respirators, such as the N95 respirator. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), N95 respirators filter out “at least 95% of all airborne particles, including large and small particles”, while other face masks are only as protective. minimal protection against large splashes. And while many N95 face masks do not have valves and are suitable for wearing, experts at the CDC say that the Covid-19 pandemic should not be used.
“The N95 respirator with an exhalation valve will provide the same level of protection for the wearer as the no-valve type,” notes the CDC. “Respiratory gas face masks with an exhalation valve should not be used in cases where a sterile environment must be maintained as the exhalation valve allows unfiltered exhaled air to escape into a sterile environment.”
This means that while you can protect yourself from corona virus infection, if you are already sick and don’t know, you can infect others if your face mask has valves.
According to 3D Company, the check valve filters the inhaled air, but can allow droplets contaminated with viruses from the exhaled air to escape through the valve on exhalation. And with an estimated 25% of infected people likely to have no symptoms, widespread use of a valve face mask will not help prevent the spread of Covid-19.
So why does the face mask have these valves if they don’t protect against germs? Valve face mask s were originally designed in the 1970s for use in factories and coal mines. Workers should wear face masks to avoid inhaling harmful dust.
However, as many face mask-wearers in the current Covid-19 pandemic can attest, these face masks are not really comfortable.
We can all agree that wearing a face mask during work shifts, especially in coal mines, would be extremely uncomfortable because the face mask keeps heat from the mouth. As a result, valves are made to allow heat to escape from the face mask , so workers are cooler and more comfortable working in the mines and in the factory. Of course, for this purpose, the air they breathe out is not a problem.
Today, many protective tool stores sell N95 respirators with valves for use in construction projects, as they help protect users from sand, sawdust and dust from insulation, while still reducing accumulation of heat inside the face mask . So while many may argue that these face masks are a suitable way to maintain comfort in public while still preventing COVID-19, they are not. In fact, the California Bay Area has banned the use of valve face masks because they do not meet face face mask ing requirements.
