Below, Lisa Brosseau, ScD, an industrial hygienist and associate professor in the Division of Environmental and Occupational Health at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, explains who these devices were designed for; what protection they can offer; and when their use is appropriate.
What are some types of protective facemasks?
Surgical masks are designed for healthcare professionals to wear to protect patients. They are worn to catch very large droplets that health providers might emit when they cough or talk, and are really not designed to protect the wearer. As a result, surgical masks have filters that are much less efficient than facemasks with respirator filters.
Another big problem with most surgical masks is that they have extremely poor fit. If all you are doing is trying to capture the big stuff that gets emitted by the mouth or the nose, your mask doesn't really have to fit very well. You don't have to worry so much about what's emitted around the sides of the mask.
Respirators, which are devices that protect the respiratory system, are designed and certified to wear in occupational settings, so that governs most of their certification and use. They are not necessarily meant for the everyday person.
