03-23-2022, 10:02 PM
What you need to know about masks
What are face masks?
Face masks such as cloth or fabric masks act as a
simple barrier and work as “source control”.
“Source control” refers to preventing the wearer’s respiratory droplets from traveling into the air
and onto other people when the person wearing the mask coughs, sneezes, talks, etc.
These are not suitable for use during medical and surgical procedures in healthcare facilities, where
exposure and risk of transmission of infection are higher. These masks may be used by the general public
and in community settings. Please refer to MOH’s guidance and FAQs on the use of
masks.
Face masks are not regulated as medical devices under the Health Sciences Authority (HSA). Therefore,
the quality and effectiveness of face masks are not regulated by HSA.
How to choose a face mask?
For greater effectiveness, choose face masks that have good filtration capability. Examples of such
masks include those distributed by the People’s Association and Temasek Foundation.
When selecting a face mask, look for the following specifications:
Masks with at least 2 to 3 layers of fabric. As a general guide, the material should not be
see-through when held against the light.
Layers should preferably be made with different fabrics, including:
Water-repellant outer layer
Middle filter layer to remove particulates – this can be disposable filter inserts
Absorbent inner layer to absorb droplets from wearer’s mouth
Fabrics with better filtering efficiency
Fabrics with enough permeability to allow breathing
Appropriate fit around the face and chin, with complete coverage of the nose and mouth, to prevent
leakage of exhaled droplets
Do not choose masks with exhalation valves, as these allow the escape of exhaled droplets from the
wearer and expose others to the risk of infection.
Are face masks useful?
Disposable 3ply face mask
with good filtering efficiency help prevent people who have COVID-19 from spreading the virus to others by
acting as a “source control”. Wearing a mask in public places limits exposure to respiratory droplets and
large particles and reduces the risk of community spread of infection. This is especially relevant for
asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic infected wearers who feel well and may be unaware that they are infectious.
These masks are particularly useful in public settings (e.g. when using public transport) when strict
adherence to safe distancing may be challenging.
As the contagious Delta variant of COVID-19 continues to spread in the U.S., you need to mask up—even
if you're vaccinated. Here's how to find the right face mask for you.
What Are N95 Masks?
The N95 respirator is considered the gold standard of face coverings in the medical world, and even in
the construction industry. These face coverings diverge from surgical masks in that the edges are designed
to fit snugly to your face.
N95 masks are made of tough, yet flexible non-woven polypropylene fiber. They're mostly
round with a protrusion near the top to help cover your nose. Elastic strings stretch around your head to
hold the mask in place. N95s sometimes feature a valve to make inhalation and exhalation easier, but
they're not required. The mask should be labeled with "N95" on it. Watch out for
typos, as these could be counterfeits.
What Are KN95 Masks?
KN95s are closely related to N95s, but only the latter is approved for use in medical settings in the
U.S., and the reasoning is pretty simple: N95s are the U.S. standard, while KN95s are the Chinese standard
for these close-fitting filtration devices. Both are rated to filter out 95 percent of very small
particles.
Due to the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the U.S. at the start of the
pandemic, the CDC has authorized the use of KN95 masks as a suitable alternative for N95
masks. However, a number of hospitals and other KN95 wearers have pointed out some discrepancies in
quality.
KN95 face masks are better than
surgical masks or cloth masks, according to ECRI. These are most appropriate in cases where you don't
expect to come into contact with bodily fluids. Non-certified masks that use head and neck straps will also
serve you better than those with ear loops.
As the contagious Delta variant of COVID-19 continues to spread in the U.S., you need to mask up—even if
you're vaccinated. Here's how to find the right face mask for you.
Disposable nitrile, natural latex, PE, and vinyl gloves, often referred to as thin-mil gloves, are used
in a variety of distinct applications. Understanding the truths about glove performance is important in
selecting the right glove for each application.
Myth #1: More Texture Means Better Grip
One of the most common misconceptions about
disposable gloves is that more texture results in better grip. In fact, texture has very little
effect on grip. It is possible to make an extremely textured glove with a low grip and a smooth-surfaced
glove with a high grip.
Surface treatment is the most significant factor in the grip level of a glove. Natural latex is
inherently sticky, or tacky, much like glue. Without proper processing, natural latex sticks together like
a large ball of adhesive. To reduce this tack, the surface must be treated. The most common surface
treatments are surface chlorination and coating. Chlorination changes the surface properties and creates a
hard, lower-tack shell around the glove. Coating technology adds a new, lower-tack layer to the glove.
Reality: Surface tack, or grip, can be controlled by the level of chlorination or the
characteristics of the coating.
Myth #2: Gloves Remain Safe Throughout Use
Throughout use, gloves can develop holes due to degradation and wear. According to one study, after
only 12 minutes of simulated clinical use, natural latex and vinyl glove defect rates increased to 9
percent and 35 percent, respectively. Without proper curing and cross-linking, nitrile can swell and
develop holes or defects over time. Failure is commonly observed in the crotch between the thumb and
forefinger.
In addition to formulation and process, use factors, such as average wear time and application, affect
the inuse defect rate. Buyers should consider the potential defect rate increase and the risk imposed. They
should ask their glove suppliers for supporting studies on in-use testing. Buyers and users can perform a
representative test themselves by wearing a pair of new, tight-fitting gloves for the prescribed use time
and then removing and filling the gloves with water to see whether a hole developed.
Myth #3: Gloves Can Be '100%' Nitrile, Natural Latex, or Vinyl
Glove suppliers frequently claim glove composition of "100%" of the respective materials.
Without additives, it is practically impossible to produce a usable glove of any of these materials. Adding
curatives, cross-link agents, and accelerators to nitrile and natural latex is essential to making a
strong, durable glove. Vinyl requires plasticizers and activation agents. Surfactants, which help with film
formulation, are another additive found in most gloves. Formulations typically require 4-10 percent of
additives to make a good glove.
Reality: Claims of "100%" nitrile, natural latex, or vinyl are not accurate.
Myth #4: Fillers Always Diminish Glove Performance
Fillers are used broadly in gloves. Most manufacturers use or have the ability to use fillers to help
reduce the cost of making a glove. Fillers are often difficult, but possible, to detect through advanced
technologies such as Thermal Gravimetric Analysis.
Fillers help to reduce the cost of a glove and, up to certain amounts, actually can improve specific
performance characteristics. For example, tear strength is significantly improved in natural
disposable latex gloves
when a moderate amount of calcium carbonate is added. The keyword is "moderate." Fillers up to
about 15 percent are tolerable; anything above that can become detrimental to the performance and quality
of the glove in use. Some manufacturers have experimented with up to 50 percent filler, with limited
success.
Myth #5: All Allergy Issues Can Be Addressed by Using Nitrile or Vinyl Instead of Natural Latex
Glove-related allergies are a primary concern to many glove users. The belief that glove-related
allergies are caused only by natural latex is a common one. Latex allergies are the most serious glove
allergies because they can be systemic and cause anaphylactic shock. Latex allergies are also the most
common type of glove allergies.
Some users confuse chemical allergies with latex allergies. There are often components in both nitrile
and vinyl gloves that can elicit a chemical allergy. For example, nitrile gloves, like natural latex
gloves, often use carbamates or thiazoles, which can cause a skin allergy. Certain vinyl gloves use
activation agents that can also cause skin allergies. In all cases, the less a glove is washed, the more
chemical residue is available for potential contact to the user. Users should consult their physician if
they suspect an allergy to gloves.
Reality: Natural latex is not the only glove material that can cause allergies.
Myth #6: 'Powder-free' Means 'Clean'
Surface treatment is the most common way to remove powder from a glove. Two types of surface treatment
are chlorination and the addition of a wax or polymer coating. Chlorination is the traditional process and
requires gloves to be washed prior to packing. The washing process is designed to rid the gloves of
residual chemicals.
Wax and polymer coatings allow a glove manufacturer to "strip and pack," avoiding the
chlorination and washing process. Wax and polymer coatings can leave residual chemicals that have not been
properly washed. Though not always harmful, the residual chemicals can contribute to skin sensitivity or
process contamination.
Myth #7: Chemical Resistance of Powder-free Natural Latex is Similar from Glove to Glove
As discussed in myth #6, the powder is removed from gloves by chlorination or coating treatment. The
treatment type, or lack thereof, can affect the chemical resistance properties of the glove. For example,
natural latex gloves achieve better overall chemical resistance when chlorinated. Chlorination changes the
surface properties and creates a hard shell around the glove. This "plasticized" shell has proper
ties slightly different from natural rubber and provides additional chemical resistance that would
otherwise not be available. On the downside, over-chlorination can damage gloves, making them brittle and
unusable.
Myth #8: All Disposable Gloves are Basically the Same
Disposable gloves come in several different material types. The most common types are made from
nitrile, natural latex, and vinyl. Each of these types is based on commodity raw materials with price
fluctuations that depend on specific market factors. In general, nitrile is often considered premium to
latex, which in turn is often considered premium to vinyl. The fact is that materials are not equal in
performance in all applications. Nitrile has better puncture resistance of the three and resists more
chemicals overall, including oils and solvents. Latex has better tear resistance, often fits better, and
provides better dexterity. Vinyl has the best electrostatic dissipation properties and resists sulfuric
acid better than nitrile or latex.
Even within the same material, there are significant differences from manufacturer to manufacturer.
Other factors influencing glove performance are raw materials, formulation, process, and washing. These
vary significantly from glove to glove and can result in performance differences in most applications.
Typically, standards for the different materials also are not harmonized. ASTM exam glove standards have
different tensile strength requirements for latex, nitrile, and vinyl. Vinyl has the most relaxed strength
requirement, followed by nitrile, while latex has the highest tensile strength requirement of the three,
and disposable PE gloves
can withstand strong pulling and are not easy to break.
Myth #9: Lower Priced Gloves Always Result in Cost Savings
One of the biggest mistakes made by disposable glove buyers is buying based solely on price. The
overall value of a glove is much more complicated than just the price of a box. In addition to price,
buyers should consider durability in the application, safety risks, and productivity.
Should protective suits be used when managing COVID-19 patients?
In its recommendations for the rational use of PPE, the WHO stated that coveralls (sometimes
called Ebola PPE) are not required when managing COVID-19 patients. Headcovers (hoods) that cover the head
and neck, used in the ontext of filovirus disease outbreaks, are not required either.
The CDC recommends that healthcare personnel put on a clean protective suit upon entry into the patient room or area. However,
if coveralls are used as an alternative to gowns, the CDC also recommends that healthcare
workers put on a clean garment before performing patient care, with a new coverall required for each
patient.
Should protective suits be worn when testing for the coronavirus?
In its guidance on the appropriate use of testing for smart healthcare providers, the CDC recommends PPE that includes a
gown for baggers and swabbers. Specimen transporters need only a glove and facemask.
Similarly, gloves and facemask (if more than 6 feet from the person being tested) are required for the
registrar and labeler responsible for registration, consent form and labeling the test kit.
In addition, all participants undergoing testing should wear a facemask or cloth face
covering throughout the process, only removing it during swabbing. All masks must be produced by
professional mask making machine and in
strict accordance with hygiene standards.
What are face masks?
Face masks such as cloth or fabric masks act as a
simple barrier and work as “source control”.
“Source control” refers to preventing the wearer’s respiratory droplets from traveling into the air
and onto other people when the person wearing the mask coughs, sneezes, talks, etc.
These are not suitable for use during medical and surgical procedures in healthcare facilities, where
exposure and risk of transmission of infection are higher. These masks may be used by the general public
and in community settings. Please refer to MOH’s guidance and FAQs on the use of
masks.
Face masks are not regulated as medical devices under the Health Sciences Authority (HSA). Therefore,
the quality and effectiveness of face masks are not regulated by HSA.
How to choose a face mask?
For greater effectiveness, choose face masks that have good filtration capability. Examples of such
masks include those distributed by the People’s Association and Temasek Foundation.
When selecting a face mask, look for the following specifications:
Masks with at least 2 to 3 layers of fabric. As a general guide, the material should not be
see-through when held against the light.
Layers should preferably be made with different fabrics, including:
Water-repellant outer layer
Middle filter layer to remove particulates – this can be disposable filter inserts
Absorbent inner layer to absorb droplets from wearer’s mouth
Fabrics with better filtering efficiency
Fabrics with enough permeability to allow breathing
Appropriate fit around the face and chin, with complete coverage of the nose and mouth, to prevent
leakage of exhaled droplets
Do not choose masks with exhalation valves, as these allow the escape of exhaled droplets from the
wearer and expose others to the risk of infection.
Are face masks useful?
Disposable 3ply face mask
with good filtering efficiency help prevent people who have COVID-19 from spreading the virus to others by
acting as a “source control”. Wearing a mask in public places limits exposure to respiratory droplets and
large particles and reduces the risk of community spread of infection. This is especially relevant for
asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic infected wearers who feel well and may be unaware that they are infectious.
These masks are particularly useful in public settings (e.g. when using public transport) when strict
adherence to safe distancing may be challenging.
As the contagious Delta variant of COVID-19 continues to spread in the U.S., you need to mask up—even
if you're vaccinated. Here's how to find the right face mask for you.
What Are N95 Masks?
The N95 respirator is considered the gold standard of face coverings in the medical world, and even in
the construction industry. These face coverings diverge from surgical masks in that the edges are designed
to fit snugly to your face.
N95 masks are made of tough, yet flexible non-woven polypropylene fiber. They're mostly
round with a protrusion near the top to help cover your nose. Elastic strings stretch around your head to
hold the mask in place. N95s sometimes feature a valve to make inhalation and exhalation easier, but
they're not required. The mask should be labeled with "N95" on it. Watch out for
typos, as these could be counterfeits.
What Are KN95 Masks?
KN95s are closely related to N95s, but only the latter is approved for use in medical settings in the
U.S., and the reasoning is pretty simple: N95s are the U.S. standard, while KN95s are the Chinese standard
for these close-fitting filtration devices. Both are rated to filter out 95 percent of very small
particles.
Due to the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the U.S. at the start of the
pandemic, the CDC has authorized the use of KN95 masks as a suitable alternative for N95
masks. However, a number of hospitals and other KN95 wearers have pointed out some discrepancies in
quality.
KN95 face masks are better than
surgical masks or cloth masks, according to ECRI. These are most appropriate in cases where you don't
expect to come into contact with bodily fluids. Non-certified masks that use head and neck straps will also
serve you better than those with ear loops.
As the contagious Delta variant of COVID-19 continues to spread in the U.S., you need to mask up—even if
you're vaccinated. Here's how to find the right face mask for you.
Disposable nitrile, natural latex, PE, and vinyl gloves, often referred to as thin-mil gloves, are used
in a variety of distinct applications. Understanding the truths about glove performance is important in
selecting the right glove for each application.
Myth #1: More Texture Means Better Grip
One of the most common misconceptions about
disposable gloves is that more texture results in better grip. In fact, texture has very little
effect on grip. It is possible to make an extremely textured glove with a low grip and a smooth-surfaced
glove with a high grip.
Surface treatment is the most significant factor in the grip level of a glove. Natural latex is
inherently sticky, or tacky, much like glue. Without proper processing, natural latex sticks together like
a large ball of adhesive. To reduce this tack, the surface must be treated. The most common surface
treatments are surface chlorination and coating. Chlorination changes the surface properties and creates a
hard, lower-tack shell around the glove. Coating technology adds a new, lower-tack layer to the glove.
Reality: Surface tack, or grip, can be controlled by the level of chlorination or the
characteristics of the coating.
Myth #2: Gloves Remain Safe Throughout Use
Throughout use, gloves can develop holes due to degradation and wear. According to one study, after
only 12 minutes of simulated clinical use, natural latex and vinyl glove defect rates increased to 9
percent and 35 percent, respectively. Without proper curing and cross-linking, nitrile can swell and
develop holes or defects over time. Failure is commonly observed in the crotch between the thumb and
forefinger.
In addition to formulation and process, use factors, such as average wear time and application, affect
the inuse defect rate. Buyers should consider the potential defect rate increase and the risk imposed. They
should ask their glove suppliers for supporting studies on in-use testing. Buyers and users can perform a
representative test themselves by wearing a pair of new, tight-fitting gloves for the prescribed use time
and then removing and filling the gloves with water to see whether a hole developed.
Myth #3: Gloves Can Be '100%' Nitrile, Natural Latex, or Vinyl
Glove suppliers frequently claim glove composition of "100%" of the respective materials.
Without additives, it is practically impossible to produce a usable glove of any of these materials. Adding
curatives, cross-link agents, and accelerators to nitrile and natural latex is essential to making a
strong, durable glove. Vinyl requires plasticizers and activation agents. Surfactants, which help with film
formulation, are another additive found in most gloves. Formulations typically require 4-10 percent of
additives to make a good glove.
Reality: Claims of "100%" nitrile, natural latex, or vinyl are not accurate.
Myth #4: Fillers Always Diminish Glove Performance
Fillers are used broadly in gloves. Most manufacturers use or have the ability to use fillers to help
reduce the cost of making a glove. Fillers are often difficult, but possible, to detect through advanced
technologies such as Thermal Gravimetric Analysis.
Fillers help to reduce the cost of a glove and, up to certain amounts, actually can improve specific
performance characteristics. For example, tear strength is significantly improved in natural
disposable latex gloves
when a moderate amount of calcium carbonate is added. The keyword is "moderate." Fillers up to
about 15 percent are tolerable; anything above that can become detrimental to the performance and quality
of the glove in use. Some manufacturers have experimented with up to 50 percent filler, with limited
success.
Myth #5: All Allergy Issues Can Be Addressed by Using Nitrile or Vinyl Instead of Natural Latex
Glove-related allergies are a primary concern to many glove users. The belief that glove-related
allergies are caused only by natural latex is a common one. Latex allergies are the most serious glove
allergies because they can be systemic and cause anaphylactic shock. Latex allergies are also the most
common type of glove allergies.
Some users confuse chemical allergies with latex allergies. There are often components in both nitrile
and vinyl gloves that can elicit a chemical allergy. For example, nitrile gloves, like natural latex
gloves, often use carbamates or thiazoles, which can cause a skin allergy. Certain vinyl gloves use
activation agents that can also cause skin allergies. In all cases, the less a glove is washed, the more
chemical residue is available for potential contact to the user. Users should consult their physician if
they suspect an allergy to gloves.
Reality: Natural latex is not the only glove material that can cause allergies.
Myth #6: 'Powder-free' Means 'Clean'
Surface treatment is the most common way to remove powder from a glove. Two types of surface treatment
are chlorination and the addition of a wax or polymer coating. Chlorination is the traditional process and
requires gloves to be washed prior to packing. The washing process is designed to rid the gloves of
residual chemicals.
Wax and polymer coatings allow a glove manufacturer to "strip and pack," avoiding the
chlorination and washing process. Wax and polymer coatings can leave residual chemicals that have not been
properly washed. Though not always harmful, the residual chemicals can contribute to skin sensitivity or
process contamination.
Myth #7: Chemical Resistance of Powder-free Natural Latex is Similar from Glove to Glove
As discussed in myth #6, the powder is removed from gloves by chlorination or coating treatment. The
treatment type, or lack thereof, can affect the chemical resistance properties of the glove. For example,
natural latex gloves achieve better overall chemical resistance when chlorinated. Chlorination changes the
surface properties and creates a hard shell around the glove. This "plasticized" shell has proper
ties slightly different from natural rubber and provides additional chemical resistance that would
otherwise not be available. On the downside, over-chlorination can damage gloves, making them brittle and
unusable.
Myth #8: All Disposable Gloves are Basically the Same
Disposable gloves come in several different material types. The most common types are made from
nitrile, natural latex, and vinyl. Each of these types is based on commodity raw materials with price
fluctuations that depend on specific market factors. In general, nitrile is often considered premium to
latex, which in turn is often considered premium to vinyl. The fact is that materials are not equal in
performance in all applications. Nitrile has better puncture resistance of the three and resists more
chemicals overall, including oils and solvents. Latex has better tear resistance, often fits better, and
provides better dexterity. Vinyl has the best electrostatic dissipation properties and resists sulfuric
acid better than nitrile or latex.
Even within the same material, there are significant differences from manufacturer to manufacturer.
Other factors influencing glove performance are raw materials, formulation, process, and washing. These
vary significantly from glove to glove and can result in performance differences in most applications.
Typically, standards for the different materials also are not harmonized. ASTM exam glove standards have
different tensile strength requirements for latex, nitrile, and vinyl. Vinyl has the most relaxed strength
requirement, followed by nitrile, while latex has the highest tensile strength requirement of the three,
and disposable PE gloves
can withstand strong pulling and are not easy to break.
Myth #9: Lower Priced Gloves Always Result in Cost Savings
One of the biggest mistakes made by disposable glove buyers is buying based solely on price. The
overall value of a glove is much more complicated than just the price of a box. In addition to price,
buyers should consider durability in the application, safety risks, and productivity.
Should protective suits be used when managing COVID-19 patients?
In its recommendations for the rational use of PPE, the WHO stated that coveralls (sometimes
called Ebola PPE) are not required when managing COVID-19 patients. Headcovers (hoods) that cover the head
and neck, used in the ontext of filovirus disease outbreaks, are not required either.
The CDC recommends that healthcare personnel put on a clean protective suit upon entry into the patient room or area. However,
if coveralls are used as an alternative to gowns, the CDC also recommends that healthcare
workers put on a clean garment before performing patient care, with a new coverall required for each
patient.
Should protective suits be worn when testing for the coronavirus?
In its guidance on the appropriate use of testing for smart healthcare providers, the CDC recommends PPE that includes a
gown for baggers and swabbers. Specimen transporters need only a glove and facemask.
Similarly, gloves and facemask (if more than 6 feet from the person being tested) are required for the
registrar and labeler responsible for registration, consent form and labeling the test kit.
In addition, all participants undergoing testing should wear a facemask or cloth face
covering throughout the process, only removing it during swabbing. All masks must be produced by
professional mask making machine and in
strict accordance with hygiene standards.