European respirator standards#FFP2 mask

The EN 149 standard defines performance requirements for three classes of particle-filtering half masks: FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3. The protection provided by an FFP2 (or FFP3) mask includes the protection provided by a mask of the lower-numbered classes.

A mask conforming to the standard must have its class written on it, along with the name of the standard and its year of publication, as well as any applicable option codes, e.g. “EN 149:2001 FFP1 NR D”. Some manufacturers use in addition the colour of the elastic band to identify the mask class, however, the EN 149 standard does not specify any such colour coding and different manufacturers have used different colour schemes.

File:US Navy respirator fit test.jpg

European standard EN 143 defines the 'P' classes of particle filters that can be attached to a face mask. These filters are typically used on reusable respirators, like elastomeric respirators.{{cite web|url=https://www.esst-inrs.fr/3rb/ressources/ed105.pdf|title=Fiche pratique de sécurité ED 105. Appareils de protection respiratoire et métiers de la santé |access-date=7 April 2020 |work=inrs.fr|publisher =INRS}}

Both European standard EN 143 and EN 149 test filter penetration with dry sodium chloride and paraffin oil aerosols after storing the filters at {{Convert|70|C|F}} and {{Convert|-30|C|F}} for 24 h each. The standards include testing mechanical strength, breathing resistance and clogging. EN 149 tests the inward leakage between the mask and face, where 10 human subjects perform 5 exercises each. The truncated mean of average leakage from 8 individuals must not exceed the aforementioned values.{{Cite web|url=https://www.boutique.afnor.org/norme/nf-en-149a1/appareils-de-protection-respiratoire-demi-masques-filtrants-contre-les-particules-exigences-essais-marquage/article/692690/fa163713|title=NF EN 149+A1|date= September 2009|publisher=www.boutique.afnor.org}} [http://cnse.gov.cn:8080/userfiles/792e4c4686f142d8934c11730ec979d9/files/teckSolution/2019/06/EN149%2BA1-2009Respiratoryprotectivedevices-Filteringhalfmaskstoprotectagainstparticles.pdf alternative source]{{rp|at=§ 8.5}}

File:Corona Face mask FFP1 (50576542218).jpg

It is the least filtering mask of the three.

• Aerosol filtration percentage: 80% minimum
• Internal leak rate: maximum 22%

It is mainly used as a dust mask (for example for DIY jobs). Dust can cause lung diseases, such as silicosis, anthracosis, siderosis and asbestosis (in particular dust from silica, coal, iron ore, zinc, aluminium or cement are common particulate risks).

{{multiple image|align=right|direction=vertical|image1=2009Julija-210.jpg|image2=Corona Face mask FFP2 (50577401782).jpg|width1=250||width2=250|footer=FFP2 face masks with and without exhalation valve}}

• Aerosol filtration percentage: 94% minimum
• Internal leak rate: maximum 8%

This mask offers protection in various areas such as the glass industry, foundry, construction, pharmaceutical industry and agriculture. It effectively stops powdered chemicals. This mask can also serve as protection against respiratory viruses such as avian influenza or severe acute respiratory syndrome associated with the coronavirus (SARS), as well as against the bacteria of pneumonic plague and tuberculosis.{{cite web |url=http://www.sante.gouv.fr/risques-infectieux-en-milieu-de-soins-masques-medicaux-ou-appareils-de-protection-respiratoire-jetables-quel-materiel-choisir.html |title=Risques infectieux en milieu de soins - masques médicaux ou appareils de protection respiratoire jetables : quel matériel choisir ? |access-date=16 June 2015 |date=27 August 2009 |website=sante.gouv.fr |archive-date=13 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413020240/http://sante.gouv.fr/risques-infectieux-en-milieu-de-soins-masques-medicaux-ou-appareils-de-protection-respiratoire-jetables-quel-materiel-choisir.html |url-status=dead }} It is similar to the US-standard N95 respirator.

File:Corona Face mask FFP3 (50560133268).jpg

• Aerosol filtration percentage: 99% minimum
• Internal leak rate: maximum 2%

The FFP3 mask is the most filtering of the FFP masks. It protects against very fine particles such as asbestos and ceramic. It does not protect against gases and in particular oxides of nitrogen.{{cite web|url=http://blog.velib.paris.fr/blog/2014/03/15/velib-et-pollution-les-reponses-du-docteur-jean-luc-saladin/|title=Vélib' et pollution, les réponses du docteur Jean-Luc Saladin|access-date=1 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140917051236/http://blog.velib.paris.fr/blog/2014/03/15/velib-et-pollution-les-reponses-du-docteur-jean-luc-saladin/|archive-date=17 September 2014 }}

EN 149 defines laboratory tests, field tests and certain requirements to ensure the conformity of the masks. The following points are analyzed:

• Packaging
• Materials: resistance to manipulation
• Practical performance test
• Leakage: total leakage inwards and penetration of the filter material

There are some European organizations that issue an examination certificate confirming conformity and specifying the characteristics of the products:

• INRS then APAVE in France
• INSPEC in Great Britain
• Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the German Social Accident Insurance{{cite web |last1=European Commission |title=Notification |url=https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/nando/index.cfm?fuseaction=country.nb&refe_cd=EPOS_43443 |access-date=2021-02-19}} in Germany
• CIOP-PIB in Poland {{cite web|url=https://www.ciop.pl/CIOPPortalWAR/appmanager/ciop/en?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=P7400113781340609629707&html_tresc_root_id=16378&html_tresc_id=16387&html_klucz=6811&html_klucz_spis=|title=Department of Personal Protective Equipment|author=CIOP-PIB}}

With the publication of the 2009 version of the standard, the designation of the respiratory protection mask is now "particulate filtering half mask". The abbreviation NR or R is added after FFP1, FFP2, FFP3:

1. NR (not reusable): if the use of the filtering half-face mask is limited to one working day. It is not reusable.
2. R (reusable): if the filtering half-face mask can be used for more than one working day, so it is reusable.

Additional suffixes include:

• Anti-clogging NR masks (D). When the half mask has passed the dolomite dust test, a letter D can be added to indicate that the service life may exceed 8 h.{{cite web|url=http://fiprotec.com/fichiers_niveau2/40/Moldex_FFP_3305_3405_3505.pdf|title=La série 3000 FFP|author=MOLDEX-METRIC}} Example: FFP3 NR D.
• Valve. The presence of a valve can be indicated by the letter V.{{cite web|title=2016 Catalogue|publisher=VENUS Safety & Health Pvt. Ltd.|url=http://www.mannengineers.com/assets/pdf/venus_brochure_1_60.pdf|access-date=2020-04-08|archive-date=2020-02-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227210442/http://www.mannengineers.com/assets/pdf/venus_brochure_1_60.pdf|url-status=dead}}{{Citation needed|reason=Letter V is not mentioned in EN 149:2001 or EN 149:2001+A1:2009|date=November 2020}}
• Particulate type. The letters S or L respectively specify the filtration of solid dust (NaCl-only) or liquid mist (paraffin oil). Example: FFP3 SLV.{{Cite web|title=BLS Zer0 30 FFP3 Carbon Valved Face Mask|url=https://www.1stopweldingshop.com/Catalogue/Safety-Fume-extraction/Face-Masks/FFP3-Face-Masks/BLS-Zer0-30-FFP3-Carbon-Valved-Face-Mask-S1472-BLS|access-date=2021-02-19|website=AES Industrial Supplies Limited|language=en-GB}}

Masks manufactured before the new standard was taken into account may still have the old marking.

FFP respirators are a type of personal protective equipment (PPE). Here is the notice that should appear on every mask :

• Manufacturer's name
• Mask
• CE number of the certification body (only FFP3) + EN 149: 2009 + the mask class (FFP1, FFP2 or FFP3) + acronym (NR or R) (Note: in case of FFP1 the conformity assessment procedures are done by the manufacturer itself as per Annex IV (Module A)

The marking must comply with European Union Directive 89/686 / EEC on PPE. If any of these entries are missing, the mask will be considered non-compliant.

EN 149 tests the ability of masks to protect the wearers against inhaling liquid and dry aerosols. It makes no statement about, and does not specifically test the suitability of such masks for, infection control against airborne transmission of pathogens through respiratory droplets. Nevertheless, FFP2 and FFP3 masks are commonly used for this purpose in medical practice. A researcher at the MRC Biostatistics Unit at Cambridge University claimed in 2021 that switching to FFP3 in Addenbrooke hospital in Cambridge may have cut ward-based Covid infection of staff to zero.{{cite news |author1=Nicola Davis |author2=Denis Campbell |title=Cambridge hospital's mask upgrade appears to eliminate Covid risk to staff Hospital: infection study shows use of FFP3 respirators at Addenbrooke's 'may have cut ward-based infection to zero' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/29/cambridge-hospitals-mask-upgrade-appears-to-eliminate-covid-19-risk-to-staff |access-date=June 29, 2021 |work=The Guardian |date=June 29, 2021 |quote=“Once FFP3 respirators were introduced, the number of cases attributed to exposure on Covid-19 wards dropped dramatically – in fact, our model suggests that FFP3 respirators may have cut ward-based infection to zero.”}}

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EN 14387 is the European chemical cartridge standard.{{cite web|url=https://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/433598O/european-standards.pdf|title=LEGISLATION AND STANDARDS - 3M}} It is similar in scope to ANSI K13.1-1973.

{{main|Mechanical filter respirator }}

Several regions use standards based on nearly identical tests and thresholds as those in EN 149, but with different markings:

• Russia (GOST R 12.4.191-2011): identical.
• South Korea (KMOEL - 2017–64): considered identical to pre-2009 version. FFP1 is called "2nd grade" or KF80, FFP2 "1st grade" or KF94, and FFP3 "special grade" or KF99.{{cite journal |last1=Jung |first1=Hyejung |last2=Kim |first2=Jongbo |last3=Lee |first3=Seungju |last4=Lee |first4=Jinho |last5=Kim |first5=Jooyoun |last6=Tsai |first6=Perngjy |last7=Yoon |first7=Chungsik |title=Comparison of Filtration Efficiency and Pressure Drop in Anti-Yellow Sand Masks, Quarantine Masks, Medical Masks, General Masks, and Handkerchiefs |journal=Aerosol and Air Quality Research |date=2014 |volume=14 |issue=3 |pages=991–1002 |doi=10.4209/aaqr.2013.06.0201 |doi-access=free}}
• Australia and New Zealand (AS/NZ 1716:2012): similar grades with a different test agent, with the exception of FFP3 which has no equivalent. Grades are written simply "P".
• Brazil (ABNT/NBR 13698:2011): identical to pre-2009 version. Grades are written as "PFF".{{cite web|title=ABNT/NBR 13698:2011 E quip amento de proteção respiratória — Peça semifacial fi ltrante para partículas|language=pt-BR|url=https://www.zambini.org.br/pdfs/ABNT%20NBR%2013698-2011%20%20-%20Equipamento%20de%20prote%C3%A7%C3%A3o%20respirat%C3%B3ria%20%E2%80%94%20Pe%C3%A7a%20semifacial%20filtrante%20para%20part%C3%ADculas.pdf}}

Other regions use similar tests that (in parts) resemble more closely the 42 CFR 84 requirements in the United States:

• Japan (JMHLW-Notification 214, 2018): similar grades with a different coding scheme for NR/R and S/L types. Written with a two-letter prefix D/R and S/L that maps to NR/R and S/L respectively. Leakage requirement not present.{{cite web |title=Standard for Dust Mask |url=https://www.jniosh.johas.go.jp/icpro/jicosh-old/english/law/DustMask/index.html |website=JICOSH Home |access-date=2020-04-30 |archive-date=2020-05-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200525114043/https://www.jniosh.johas.go.jp/icpro/jicosh-old/english/law/DustMask/index.html |url-status=dead }}
• Taiwan (CNS 14755): D1/D2/D3 grades for 80/95/99 efficiency. No requirements for inward leakage.

• Gas mask
• NIOSH air filtration rating
• Respirator
• Surgical mask
• Face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic

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Category:European Union

Category:Mechanical standards

Category:Respirators

Category:Medical masks