Prevention Masks, The First
Line of Defence
Governments, health officials and organizations around the world are on
high alert because of increasing concerns about the prospect of an influenza
pandemic. Many experts believe an outbreak to be inevitable.
Certainly, the threat must be taken very seriously
and there is no doubt that, in the event of an outbreak, we can all help
ourselves and our families by being properly equipped and well prepared
to assist in stopping the spread.
The UK Government have issued guidelines and the use of
the approved Products available on this site.
Information concerning the protection from Avian Flu (also called Bird
Flu)
The danger connected to the possible pandemic spread of the Avian Flu
has increased demand for respiratory protection devices worldwide. The
Word Health Organisation (WHO) issued an interim recommendation dated
January 26 2004 for protection of persons involved in the mass slaughter
of animals infected with avian flu.
Appropriate personal protection for workers in that area include N95 and
European P2 respirators.
In Europe masks with the following protection efficiency are applicable.
- Filter efficiency FFP3 EN149: 99% of all particles
are retained.
On the basis of present European legislation and
the recommendation of the WHO we recommend the following respiratory protection
masks:
- When in direct contact with infected persons or animals
we recommend a P3 mask.
- If there is no indication of an infection, wearing
a P2 mask as a precaution is advisable.
- Medical or hygienic masks cannot be recommended as
they offer only minimal protection.
- Respiratory protection can reduce the danger of infection
by viruses but not complete prevent it.
- When wearing a mask it is imperative for the efficiency
to make sure the mask fits the face properly.
- Biologically active hazards can enter the body by way
of skin or eyes so that other measures of protection then wearing a
mask might be necessary.
Above recommendations are made on the basis of guidelines
in respiratory and reflect the present legislation and knowledge. It is
the users responsibility to select the right product for the hazard in question.
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