FFP2 mask or N95 respirator? That’s the question you’ll need to answer when choosing the right protective mask to wear during high-risk exposure. Both masks provide decent respiratory protection, but each one provides different levels of protection in different situations. The answer to which one you should wear depends on where you are and what you are doing. Read on to learn more about the differences between FFP2 masks and N95 respirators, so you can make an informed decision before heading out the door!
An Introduction to Respiratory Protection
Every day, people are exposed to harmful agents that need to be filtered out by a particulate respirator. In short, a respirator is an object which filters out harmful elements through specialized filters and offers protection against hazardous agents. The most commonly known respirator is an air-purifying respirator (APR) or dust mask. There are two types of APRs—an atmosphere-supplying respirator (ASR) and an elastomeric respiratory protective equipment (ERPE). Both APRs rely on compressed air for filtration, with ASRs also relying on oxygen cylinders for long-term use in oxygen-deficient environments.
2 Key Differences Between FFP2 and N95 Masks
The first is that they’re called different things; FFP2 stands for filter fabric, particulate class 2 while an N95 respirator refers to a type of mask that has been approved by NIOSH (the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health). The second difference is in their efficacy. An FFP2 respirator must have a filter efficiency of 95% or greater when tested according to OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.134, which means it must keep at least 95% of particles in its class from passing through.
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