SKYLOTEC is launching new medical face masks that exceed the standard requirements with a filtering performance of over 99 per cent, have an optimal fit and are still very breathable. The German manufacturer of protective equipment thus offers a solution for healthcare workers that is certified according to EN 14683:2019+AC:2019 and can also be worn in everyday life. This helps to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Those who wear a medical face mask – colloquially also called a mouth-nose protector – prevent the spread of possible pathogens that are in the exhaled air in the event of their own infection with COVID-19. These masks are not to be confused with simple mouth-nose coverings - so-called everyday masks or community masks - without a legal standard on filtering properties. These only slow down pathogens in droplet form. For the various applications in the health sector, however, medical masks are divided into different protection classes, whereby masks of type IIR, for example, must demonstrate a bacterial filtering capacity of 98 % and protect the wearer against splashes of liquids.
“Optimal filtering properties, very low breathing resistance, ergonomic fit and soft comfort ear straps make it easier for professionals, patients and private users to wear the certified protective masks even over longer periods of time.“
SKYLOTEC has now developed a type IIR mouth-nose protector that offers greater protection than other medical face masks and also features that go beyond normative requirements. For example, the model achieves a bacterial filtering performance of over 99% while remaining breathable. This is an advantage because when users have difficulty breathing, masks are usually not worn tightly enough. This often happens with FFP2 masks, as they have a higher breathing resistance. However, FFP masks that are not perfectly selected for the respective face shape or are tightly fitted hardly protect their wearers. For type IIR masks, the breathability must be less than 60 Pa / square centimetres according to EN 14683. SKYLOTEC's model is below 40 Pa / square centimetres and thus at a value that applies comparatively to simpler type I and II masks. This is achieved by SKYLOTEC using the same filter fleece as in its FFP masks, but in a thinner version and in combination with specially selected cover layers.
With standard-compliant splash protection
“Medical face masks are also worn by emergency personnel in the ambulance or rescue service.“
The medical face masks are designed for use in operating theatres and healthcare facilities, as well as for emergency responders or paramedics. They prevent droplets from exhaled air from entering a patient's open wounds and provide standard-compliant splash protection in accordance with EN 14683:2019. When fitted tightly, they can also protect the wearer, even though this is not their actual function. Therefore, for the general treatment and care of ill persons, a mouth-nose protection is currently considered sufficient by the Robert Koch Institute - provided that staff and the ill person each wear a medical face mask.
Comfortable for long wear
Employees who have to wear their masks for several hours a day on the job attach importance to wearing comfort, ergonomic fit and, above all, breathability. After all, they have to concentrate on their work. At the same time, the mask should hinder them as little as possible - and not tire them prematurely due to difficult breathing. SKYLOTEC's medical face masks are made with meltblown filter fleece, which is also the core of SKYLOTEC's FFP masks. They also have a nose bow made of hardened aluminium wire, which retains its shape for a long time and thus seals tightly, and newly developed soft-comfort ear straps. These are highly elastic, skin-friendly and attached to the outside of the masks to prevent seam pressure points on the face, even when worn for long periods. In addition, the masks are latex-free, making them suitable for people with latex allergies, and they have been tested for cytotoxicity by the Hohenstein Laboratories. According to this, they do not contain any chemical substances that cause irritation through cell damage when they come into contact with the skin.
“To contain the Corona pandemic, medical face masks can also be worn on public transport.“
A multi-layered, tight-fitting mouth-nose protection such as a type IIR mask is not only useful in professional life. It also offers more reliable protection in private environments than the so-called everyday masks. In addition, medical face masks can also be advantageous over FFP2 masks: This is because they are an occupational safety product for which instruction is required by law to ensure their function. If wearers are not familiar with them, there is an increased risk of not using these masks correctly. An FFP2 mask should be selected so that its shape fits the wearer's face. It must be put on correctly and checked by the wearer for a tight fit. If this is not done, air will flow past the mask. It is useless or at least largely ineffective. Due to the higher breathing resistance of FFP masks, they are often put on more loosely or pulled off the face in between. In such cases, the protective effect is also non-existent. The same applies to beard wearers, for whom such masks are not intended.
Short distances, reliable supply
Type IIR medical face masks like SKYLOTEC's models also make a contribution in schools to provide face-to-face teaching in pandemic times.
As a globally active company and a brand previously known for fall protection, SKYLOTEC expanded its programme last year to include light respiratory protection and will produce medical face masks and masks for respiratory protection (FFP masks) beyond the Corona pandemic. To this end, the family-owned company has invested in setting up state-of-the-art machinery and received a subsidy for the acquisition costs from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. Already this year, up to 300 million medical face masks can be produced according to EN 14683:2019+AC:2019. Machines that are among the fastest and most innovative in the world will help. They enable fully automated production with automatic defect detection of 800 masks per minute. To ensure a reliable supply of raw materials, SKYLOTEC has meanwhile concluded long-term contracts with suppliers from Europe and set up its own testing laboratory for regular quality checks. By shortening supply chains to occupational safety and medical product distributors, SKYLOTEC increases supply security and helps to reduce inventories and time as well as transport costs. Last but not least, this protects the environment because production in Germany and Europe noticeably reduces CO2 emissions.