For protection, which mask should children choose?

Children’s masks are available in a variety of categories, with varying prices. So, how to choose safe, effective and high-quality masks? What kind of mask is suitable for children? How to make intuitive judgments based on appearance, materials, etc.?

In 2020, my country released the recommended national standard “Technical Specifications for Children’s Masks”, which makes special regulations on materials, wearing, use and other indicators. The “Technical Specifications for Children’s Masks” proposes 19 main performance indicators, including safety, protection, comfort, etc., with safety as the main premise. The standard specifies two types of products: children’s protective masks and children’s hygienic masks. While clarifying that the particle filtration efficiency is not less than 95% and 90% respectively, it also puts forward higher requirements for the selection of raw materials for production companies.

For protection, what kind of mask should children choose?

For protective masks for special groups of children, only GB/T 38880-2020 “Technical Specifications for Children’s Masks” is applicable. This standard is a recommended national standard officially released by the State Administration for Market Regulation on May 6, 2020, and will be implemented as soon as it is released. The “Technical Specifications for Children’s Masks” applies to masks worn by children aged 6 and above to 14 and below. Children’s masks are divided into “children’s protective masks (F)” and “children’s hygiene masks (W)” according to their performance; according to the size of children’s heads and faces, they are divided into small (S), medium (M) and large (L). .

How to quickly distinguish between children’s protective masks and children’s hygienic masks?

According to standard requirements, children’s masks will have their type and code printed on the packaging, such as children’s protective masks (F) and children’s hygienic masks (W). In addition to the logo, a preliminary intuitive judgment can also be made from the appearance and structure of the mask. For example, children’s protective masks must be three-dimensional in design, while children’s hygiene masks are mostly flat.

Are children’s masks less protective than medical masks?

Children’s masks that comply with GB/T 38880 have no lower filtration performance and protective power than medical masks. For example, children’s sanitary masks have better filtration performance than medical surgical masks, and have lower resistance, making them safer and more comfortable for children to wear; children’s protective masks have the same filtration performance as medical protective masks (N95 level), and the resistance is significantly lower, making children more comfortable to wear. By standardizing your wear, you can achieve both comfort and protection. The biggest difference between children’s masks and medical masks is the “hemodialysis” test. Medical surgical masks and medical protective masks need to pass the hemodialysis test. This performance mainly protects doctors from blood splashing into the mouth and nose in invasive situations, while ordinary consumers do not. There is no need for such usage scenarios. In addition, the standards for children’s masks also stipulate formaldehyde, color fastness, etc., which is more conducive to protecting children’s physical and mental health.

What is the most important difference between children’s masks and adult masks?

Children are in the stage of physical growth and development, and their head and face size and respiratory system capabilities are smaller than those of adults. Special attention must be paid to the ventilation performance of masks. Consumers should pay special attention to the respiratory resistance and other parameters marked on the product when purchasing. Do not focus only on the protective performance and ignore the use experience to avoid feeling depressed when wearing it.

Compared with adults, the important difference between children’s masks is that they pay more attention to reducing the burden on the heart and lungs. A safe mask requires a strong “heart”, that is, the melt-blown cloth must be low enough and efficient enough. While putting forward clear requirements for particle filtration efficiency, bacterial filtration efficiency, etc., the GB/T 38880-2020 “Technical Specifications for Children’s Masks” standard specifically states that children’s protective masks require that both the exhalation resistance and inhalation resistance should not be higher than 45Pa; children Hygienic masks require ventilation resistance no higher than 30Pa. In terms of wearing comfort, it is recommended to use adjustable mask straps.

What should children pay attention to when wearing masks?

a) Children with breathing difficulties are not recommended to wear masks. If they need to wear masks, they should follow medical advice or wear other suitable respiratory protective equipment.

b) When using the mask, the mask packaging materials and other items that are not related to the wearing of the mask should be cleaned up in time.

c) Children should wear masks under adult supervision, and caregivers should observe and educate children to wear masks correctly. Children should not play around or engage in moderate or higher-intensity exercise while wearing a mask, and should not disassemble the breathing valve and its internal parts; if symptoms such as respiratory discomfort or skin allergies occur during wearing, the mask should be removed in time, and the mask should be taken off immediately if necessary. Seek medical attention.

d) The mask should be kept dry, avoid getting wet during use, and should be replaced in time when necessary.

e) It is not recommended to reuse masks after washing.

f) Used masks should not be exchanged with others.

Tips for purchasing children’s masks

When purchasing a mask, you must check the appearance. There should be no sharp points and sharp edges that can be touched. You should not purchase a lace-up mask. The breathing valve of a mask equipped with a breathing valve should be firm and not deformed.

According to the standards, children’s masks need to be marked with wearing safety warnings on the packaging. For example, children should not play around or engage in moderate or above-moderate intensity exercise while wearing the mask. If symptoms such as respiratory discomfort or skin allergies occur during wearing, they should be removed in time. Take off and wait.

GB/T 38880-2020 “Technical Specifications for Children’s Masks” unites the Beijing Institute of Labor Protection Science, Beijing Institute of Medical Device Inspection, China Institute of Standardization, Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Inspection, Testing and Certification Group Co., Ltd., Guangzhou Customs Technology The center, Donghua University, key enterprises and other units and scientific research institutes have organized experts in personal protection, medical hygiene, ergonomics, textile materials and testing to analyze the head and face dimensions, respiratory system and other physiology of children of different ages. Conducted a lot of research on the characteristics of masks and designed a mask index system and testing methods that meet the characteristics of children.

At the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, in accordance with the requirements of the State Administration for Market Regulation, the preparation process was urgently accelerated, the standard framework system was enriched and improved, and it was finally completed after extensive attention and solicitation of opinions from the society.

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