A leap forward in personal protection

Facemasks usually fall within one of three categories: FFP, medical masks, and fabric masks. Medical masks offer the highest protection; FFP offer better adherence; cloth masks are the most environmentally friendly. All three are breeding grounds for bacteria if not used properly. In this context, the  Livinguard PRO MASK created a class of its own, offering the best of each of these three categories with the highest safety, adherence and sustainability profile, plus the power of self-disinfection.

FFPs are designed as disposable masks for occupational safety and are certified as particulate respirators according to the European standard EN 149:2001. They provide perfect adherence to the face and two-way protection, filtering both outgoing and incoming air. The level of protection provided by an FFP mask is determined by the type of filter used. FFP2 masks provide at least 94% filtration, but are not designed to be reused. They should only be worn for up to 75 consecutive minutes at a time and for a total of up to four hours per day, as they can make it difficult for the wearer to breathe.

Medical masks comply with the European Medical Device Directive EN 14683:2019 and are designed to protect third parties from droplet transmission. These masks provide at least 95% filtration. They usually do not provide a snug fit around the mouth and nose, meaning that the wearer is not correctly protecting herself, as particles can enter easily on both sides of the mask. The performance of both FFP2 and medical masks is measured by the possibility of the passage of particles and by their materials. In addition to the risk of transmission and droplets for the wearer and third parties, the medical mask carries a risk of contamination, as the material allows viruses to adhere to the surface of the mask. For this reason, disposable surgical and FFP2 masks are single-use products that must be replaced every four to six hours.

Non-medical masks are usually made of textile fabrics and are reusable and washable. These masks are not subject to special standards, but they must ensure that the mouth and nose are covered. Their most significant limitations are related to the risk of infection contamination masks and the lack of filter performance. Moist tissue is a breeding ground for bacteria, and so are masks which are not properly stored or washed.