Not everything has unlimited resources or availability, one of them is time and mask. A disposable mask offers the best prevention and protection services as compared to a normal nuisance mask that stays longer. Disposable masks however have a time span of 8 hours before their significance is over.
Changing your dust mask on time will help you get better protection against pollutants in the air. Not only do they keep in particles, but they also help clean up any particles that get in between the mask and your face. The order is to wear your respirator even when you don’t have to.
You Should Change Your Dust Mask When –
When It Is Dirty
Be good to yourself, once the mask’s color is transforming into some brownish or black substance from its original color then you should replace it immediately. Some dirt may have come into contact with your mask while you were wearing it.
When these small particles are transferred into your mouth or nose that can lead to a variety of health problems. To prevent this, remove the mask, spit it out and give it a good wash before putting it back on. Alternatively, there is a replacement option, just buy a new mask if you’re not in an area accessible for washing it.
When It Is Damaged
Dust masks can be damaged easily depending on the model. The majority of ones are crafted from fabric hence a lighter nature. Sometimes, it might even be because of business the cheaper you buy the lesser the quality. To be secure, you should be ready to replace it once you’ve seen any damage to your mask.
The distorted mask will prevent the mask from collecting dust particles, which can lead to respiratory infections. One thing you should never attempt is trying to fix the broken or torn mask. There’s no proven method that has ever been advised to employ if you’re mask is damaged. Don’t use any tape or glue or even fixing using your hand just replace it. Often this can cause even more damage.
When It Is Shared
Sharing a replacement breathing mask is never a good idea since germs could easily spread from one individual to the next. Bear in mind even when you’re not using the mask it is best to keep all dust masks separate to avoid contamination. There’s no love or family issue when it comes to using or sharing masks. If someone has tried using the mask that you’ve worn already, don’t hesitate to buy a new one. Renowned health organizations such as CDC also discourage this habit strongly.
When It Is Used for More than 8 Hours Straight
It doesn’t matter if your mask is clean, unbroken, and unshared don’t prolong its usage past 8 hours.
Such things as bacteria and germs may have accumulated without you seeing with your naked eyes. Also as mentioned earlier, the quality of these materials was not designed to stand the tough of times, most of these products fade slowly as they’re being used.
There will be severe effects if you become a victim of a condition due to exposure to dust and dirt. After 8 hours of usage, your mask will start to get dirty and smelly and smell like chlorine if it’s not replaced after that time limit. During this time mask filtering has stopped, and you are exposed to extremely high levels of dust. In fact, after one day’s use of a mask, a particle count of 5000 may accumulate! If not alert, you’re about to burst a lung!
FAQs
1. How should I clean my mask?
Ans. Obtaining excellent results after cleaning your mask is your health protection. To wash your mask, avoid water that can cause inflammation on the face as well as your nose dilute that water to make it less viscous. Use very warm water and soap. Just like how toothpaste was used in your childhood to protect your teeth, soap is a must in your mask-washing routine. It also has an antimicrobial effect on the skin, thus improving the infection-resistant qualities of your mask.
However, the absence of a washing machine should never frustrate you; you can still use your hand to clean your mask gently with a bar of bathing soap. After all is clean, store your mask in a clean and dry place for at least 3 days.
2. Will a face mask keep me safe from viruses on a plane?
Ans. The UV filters on an airplane’s typical air-conditioned space can act as natural germicidal disinfectants, keeping nasty stuff like the flu and cold at bay. But in an open-air plane, things can get trickier. Face masks can reduce or prevent viruses from getting to you, as wearing something is better than nothing. If an infected person has exposed the virus on the plane, they might remain active for quite some time; hence anybody who will make contact in the plane by touch or even reckless breathing may not be safe.
3. Can dust masks be reused?
Ans. Yes, the respirator is reusable on certain terms and conditions. If you’re staying or working in a close to zero dust environment with no pollution or your mask has neither dust nor soil you may re-use it. Only bear in mind that you should not wear it more than 8 hours straight. If you can fulfill the mandate of cleaning the mask well, you can also re-use it as mentioned above. And if you will clean it well and fix the dust clogging with certain washing chemicals, the mask can be reused for 1-2 days through re-washing.
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