Understanding Disposable Protection Masks

FFP1 Dust Masks

FFP1 Dust Masks protect against low levels of dust, as well as solid and liquid aerosols. It protects against materials in concentrations up to 4x occupational exposure limit (OEL) or4x assigned protection factor (APF).

FFP1 Dust Masks are suitable for hand sanding, drilling, and cutting.

What does a P1 filter protect against?

Protects against low levels of dust.
Protects against solid and liquid aerosols.
Can be used for hand sanding, drilling, and cutting.
OEL: Protects against materials in concentrations 4x limit.
APF: Protects against materials in concentrations 4x limit.

FFP2 Dust Masks

FFP2 Dust Masks protect against moderate levels of dust, as well as solid and liquid aerosols.
FFP2 Dust Masks have a higher level of protection than FFP1 – FFP2 masks protect against materials in concentrations up to 12x OEL or 4x APF.

FFP2 masks are ideal for plastering and sanding.

What does a P2 filter protect against?

Protects against moderate levels of dust.
Protects against solid and liquid aerosols.
Higher protection than FFP1
Can be used for plastering and sanding.
OEL: Protects against materials in concentrations 12x limit.
APF: Protects against materials in concentrations 10x limit.

FFP3 Dust Masks

FFP3 Dust Masks protect against higher levels of dust. They also protect against solid and liquid aerosols. FFP3 masks protect against materials in concentrations up to 50x OEL or 20x APF.

FFP3 masks are suitable for handling hazardous powders, such as those found in the pharmaceutical industry.

What does a P3 filter protect against?

Protects against higher levels of dust.
Protects against solid and liquid aerosols.
Higher protection than FFP1, and FFP2.
Can be used for handling hazardous powders such as those in the pharmaceutical industry.
Recommended when in doubt of protection needed.
OEL: Protects against materials in concentrations 50x limit.
APF: Protects against materials in concentrations 20x limit.
Can be used as an Asbestos mask
Current NHS guidelines stipulate FFP3 face masks for virus and bacterial infection control when the contagion is spread through aerosol (coughs, sneezes etc)