The earloop protection masks. How do we test them?

Masks and protection in the ongoing sanitary crisis

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Luiza Moldovan, 18.11.2020, 14:00

The SARS-COV2
infections can also be transmitted through the saliva drops generated when
somebody coughs, sneezes, sings, speaks or breathes. Specialists recommend the
wearing of an ear-loop mask made of at least three layers, capable of
preventing or mitigating the transmission of the virus causing the COVID-19
infection. Therefore, the key function of a mask is to reduce the transmission
of those drops, a relevant function, especially in the case of asymptomatic
persons who feel fine and who are not aware of the dangers those around them
are exposed to. We’re actually speaking about some sort of social dynamics entailing
responsibility and awareness. Wearing the ear-loop protection mask improperly
my cause infection. Shortly after the breakout of the sanitary crisis, textile
factories swiftly changed their production lines and began manufacturing the
so-called fashion masks, which, apart from their attractive aspect, do not have
any other quality. These are reusable masks, which casts doubt over their
efficiency. How much protection do these masks offer, and how should an
ear-loop masks be like, in keeping with the medical standards? An answer to
these questions comes from the president of the ProConsumers Association,
professor Costel Stanciu.

Costel Stanciu:

A breathing protection mask, in order to be efficient against the SARS-COV2
virus must be made, must be manufactured observing one of the existing
standards, the one pertaining to the filtering half-masks against particles and
the one pertaining to the medical half-masks. Unfortunately, a third category
can be found on the market (the so-called fashion masks) that does not offer
protection against SARS-COV2. These are reusable masks, they need to be washed,
ironed, provided all instructions are observed, included by the manufacturer on
the tag. Disposable ear-loop masks come in two categories: filtering half-masks
against the particles, which in turn fall into three types: FFP1 (they provide
an 80% protection or more, in terms of bacterial filtering), FFP2 (cu o with at
least 94% efficiency) and FFP3 (with a bacterial filtering efficiency standing
at more than 95%). As for the ear-loop half-masks of medical use, they are of
two types: type 1, with a 95% bacterial filtration efficiency, and type 2, that
is 2R, where the bacterial filtration efficiency stands at more than 98%.

Filtration
efficiency varies a great deal, in keeping with the quality of the fabric the
mask is made of. At any rate, those who buy masks must read the tag, checking
the bacterial filtration efficiency standards the produce complies with. There
is a great number of non-compliant ear-loop
masks on the market.

Costel Stanciu:

Unfortunately, Romania has not tested any breathing protection mask so
far, at the level of the European Commission there is a platform known as
Safety Gate (the rapid alert system for dangerous non-food products) where EU
member states upload alerts targeting breathing protection masks which are
non-compliant. Three parameters are being tested for the ear-loop masks
providing protection against SARS-COV2: the bacterial filtering efficiency,
breathing resistance and the resistance against drops. There are several state
institutions that get involved in the testing of protection mask compliance.
The first one is the General Customs Directorate. The non-compliant masks ought
to be stopped at the customs, with the documentation accompanying the
respective masks batch being checked, especially if a certificate of conformity
exists, issued by a body notified by one of the EU member states. And at this
point, I’m speaking about the imported masks, since more than 80% of the masks are
being imported from China. Producers and mask importers must test each batch
that was imported from that country and, when the checking operation is
underway at the customs point and the customs inspectors does not find that
certificate of compliance, the respective batch is turned down, it is not
allowed to enter Romania. Other European countries have found a great many
non-compliant batches in the customs checkpoints, Romania has found only 3,
maybe 4 such batches. The second institution which should get in volved in the
testing of breathing protection masks compliance is the Healthcare Ministry, through
the National medicine and Medical Devices Agency. The agency merely manages a
database including importers of medical ear-loop masks and has not performed
any determination regarding the compliance of such masks.

Another
institution with related responsibilities is the National Consumer Protection
Authority, which is entitled to check of those masks comply with the
legislative standards. Actually, on November 13, through RAPEX, the rapid alert
system for dangerous, non-food product, enabling quick exchange of information
between the European Commission and the EU member states, Romania issued an
alert for non-compliant masks that are available on the market, having the CE
tag but which are not certified, the general manager with the National Consumer
Protection Authority Paul Anghel announced. The produce has the CE tag, but it
is not certified as protection equipment by a competent body. Recently, the
Agency has temporarily removed from sales more than 31 million protection
masks. The president of the institution, Eduard Cozminschi, stated those masks
had been removed from sales until the remedy of deficiencies is completed,
while other 90,000 masks have been completely removed from sales. One of the
constant flaws was the lack of the CE mark – the certificate of compliance
agreed by the EU. Flaws pertain to total or partial information, the CE tag was
not applied, so the produce does not comply with the European standards, it was
not certified by an authority which is recognized at European level, there were
no certificates of conformity to go with them, there are no instructions for use
and no manipulation or storage instructions. Unfair commercial practices have
also been detected, meaning that through certain labels the consumer was misled
into buying that produce, allegedly providing healthcare protection, Cozminschi
explained.

According
to the president of the ProConsumers Association, Costel Stanciu, the efficiency
of wearing an ear-loop protection mask has been scientifically proven, yet we
must take into account the quality of the mask: not just anything, not from
anywhere, it should matter how, as for the fashion masks, they do not protect
us from the virus.

Costel
Stanciu:

Unfortunately, the fashion masks are not individual protection masks,
they cannot offer protection against SARS-COV2. Most of the producers mention
that on the tag. These masks are rather anti-allergy masks, so they can be used
by the individuals who are allergic to dust, pollen and that’s pretty much it.
They are more like dressing accessories.

(Translation by Eugen Nasta)