In recent times, the phrase “active carbon mask“ or “activated carbon medical mask“ is no longer too strange to us. And recently, there is also a lot of information about fake active carbon masks, affecting the health of users. Still do not know how to distinguish active and regular masks? So do not ignore our useful information below!
What is active carbon mask?
Active carbon mask, full name is activated carbon medical mask is a special product produced from filter cloth containing activated carbon to help protect the health of users.
Do you know what activated carbon is here? That is the carbon processed at the temperature of steam from 900 – 1000 degrees C in an anaerobic environment, creating a carbon with a very large capillary structure that increases the contact surface area, low density.
According to the advertisement, products containing activated carbon in general and activated carbon masks have many outstanding features, preventing dirt, chemicals and harmful gases such as SO2, CO2, H2S, … And activated masks usually contain activated carbon or are made from activated carbon fiber.
However, in recent times, there has been a lot of information about fake active carbon masks. Does not contain activated carbon as advertised or does not contain full 4 layers as theoretical. This incident caused confusion for people in buying and using active carbon masks.
Regular masks
The common mask that we want to mention here is a cheap fabric mask made with industrial rags. This fabric often contains unhealthy dyeing impurities. If the wearer does not disinfect before use, it will be easy to be infected with skin infections, respiratory diseases, etc.
A normal mask can only block the sun, prevent dust with a large size, and prevent the smell of car smoke. And completely ineffective in filtering harmful gases (smoke, gas fumes, oil, coal, …)
I have seen a colleague go out on the street and buy a regular mask on the side of the road. She is also subjective that she just tore off the packaging, did not pay attention and wore it, as a result, she felt dizzy for a while and she felt like sick.
It is just one of many cases of using common masks with unknown sources causing health consequences. And we believe that many people are still wondering: Why do I go to the street wearing a careful mask and still suffer from respiratory diseases caused by smoke and pollution?
How many types of active carbon masks?
Activated carbon masks are divided into 2 types: types with active fibers woven fabric, sewn together and one with activated carbon sheets placed between 2 layers of fabric.
Activated fibers here are fabrics that are impregnated with activated carbon and only work after 2 washing times. For the activated carbon mask advertised as a year-long charcoal liner is completely incorrect because that activated carbon liner may be “full” after a few days of use.
As for the active carbon masks that you find have a bad smell, it is because the manufacturer has used glue to spray the activated carbon particles together. And it is the colloidal particles surrounding the coal particles that will make the coal layer lose its adsorption effect.
