FFP2 Masks | The best of 2022
Read also: Masks for children | The best of 2022 If used correctly, the mask is an excellent means of defense and, as you know, there are different types of the latter. In this article we will talk about the FFP2, which are the ones that guarantee an excellent compromise between security and price. An FFP2 certified mask, in fact, filters at least 95% of bacteria, but to be sure that it is truly effective, it is necessary to rely on solutions whose exact origin is known and the materials with which they were made, with the relevant European standards.
After the Coronavirus infection spread rapidly around the world, a huge amount of masks were produced, many unfortunately of dubious origin and without certification. Due to the limited time available, it is often difficult to recognize if a model is valid or not, and that is why we have selected for you what we believe to be the best FFP2 masks. By purchasing one of the models mentioned below, you are guaranteed to wear safe masks that are truly capable of protecting you from viruses and bacteria.
General Francesco Paolo Figliuolo, former extraordinary commissioner for the implementation and coordination of the measures necessary for the containment and contrast of the current Covid-19 infection, issued a protocol inviting pharmacies to sell masks FFP2 at 0.75 cents each. Despite this, not all pharmacies have shown their willingness to sell these protective devices at the aforementioned amount, since we are not faced with a law, so pharmacies reserve the right to sell FFP2 at the price they set. In our product selection we have tried to include low-cost solutions, but always with an eye to certification which, we remember, remains the most important factor when purchasing any type of mask.
The best FFP2 masks
Sicura Protection Idoit STM ANNEW MEZORRISONSicura Protection
Certified and made in Italy, the Sicura Protection are certainly among the most reliable FFP2 masks on the market. Their bacterial filtering efficiency reaches 99%, thanks to the 4 layers and the TNT fabric. In addition to ensuring excellent protection from viruses, they offer comfort that will allow you to wear them throughout the working day without experiencing discomfort or getting tired, thanks to the comfortable and perfectly adherent elastics. Each individual mask receives strict security checks and is individually sealed.SEE ON AMAZON
Idoit
Among the best FFP2 masks on the market, those made by Idoit also stand out. , just like the previous ones, they are offered in different colors. Certified and comfortable to wear, these models boast a 5-layer filter, which further improves the level of protection typical of a FFP2, thus making them even safer and suitable for those looking for maximum filtering efficiency. Whether you are a driver, a public service staff or belonging to any other sector, you will always enjoy a high level of comfort, thanks to the 3D structure based on the shape of the human face.SEE ON AMAZON
STM
Another mask that will guarantee you maximum protection is the one produced by STM. Also being of high quality, it shares the typical characteristics we have come to know with previous models, namely a three-dimensional design with nose clip, extremely comfortable elastic straps and a 4-layer filter approved by a notified body of the European Union. Despite having excellent protection, you will have limited breathing resistance, which means that you will not feel the lack of oxygen even after prolonged use.SEE ON AMAZON
ANNEW
Generic photos. With a 5-layer filter, the FFP2 Annew masks are just as great and are among the ones that boast the best value for money, since the math says that the cost for a single mask is less than 1 €. As usual, we are talking about safety devices at the top of the category, with certifications that attest to the quality of the materials and the filtering of pathogens. Extremely comfortable even for those who wear glasses, with the comfort that is confirmed to be at the top during any daily activity.SEE ON AMAZON
MEZORRISON
Generic photos. If you want to save money without sacrificing personal safety, there is probably nothing better than Mezorrison brand solutions. In fact, you will be happy to know that the pack of 50 FFP2 masks is sold for only € 24.90, which is equivalent to only € 0.50 each. We do not know if the seller will continue to offer them at this price in the future, which is why we recommend buying as many as possible in order to stock up and use them at the appropriate time. The price is negligible but the certifications are all there, so safety is guaranteed. In addition, the masks are packaged in 10 convenient sachets.SEE ON AMAZON
How to choose the FFP2 mask
Since the mask is a protective device designed to safeguard people's health, it is necessary to check that they are certified. In our case, the certification must take into account the European standards, in particular that relating to the technical standard EN149: 2001. Basically, this is the only factor to consider when buying an FFP2 mask, but we invite you to continue reading for those who want to learn more.How to read the certification of FFP2 masks?
Although in most cases the presence of the certification is authentic, the most doubtful may seek further confirmation. If you are among them, our advice is to check some details that we will illustrate below. First, select an image of the product in which the mask is shown from the front. At this point you should be able to read various abbreviations and codes, which should contain:The manufacturer's name The product code The technical standard referred to EN149: 2001 The level of protection, in this case FFP2 The CE marking followed by the number of the Notified Body If the mask has the above information, then it most likely means that it is an authentic and effective device. However, if you want you could go even further and carry out a sort of litmus test. To do this, you will need to enter the NANDO database, where you will find the list of authorized notified bodies. At this point, in the “Notified Body” section, click on the group of numbers corresponding to the 4-digit number after the CE mark on the mask you are evaluating. A list with all the numbers will open, where you will have to click on the column with the abbreviation NB preceding your 4-digit number. By opening the file you will have found the body that certified your mask, as well as the list of certifications, which should contain "Regulation (EU) 2016/425 Personal protective equipment" If everything is in the standard, it means that the mask belongs to a notified body.
The comfort of FFP2 masks
In certain circumstances, such as in the workplace, the mask must be worn for many hours, which is why you should buy a model capable of keeping firmly on the face and equipped with soft elastics will be essential, even for the speech concerning the prerogative of the lenses. Usually, the best mask manufacturers report in the description whether or not their models have particular precautions and details, aimed at improving wearability.Can FFP2 masks be reused?
As you know, unlike surgical masks, which must be thrown away instantly after use, FFP2 models can be reused. The latter are identifiable by the presence of the letter R in front of the certification, which certifies the fact that you can sanitize them by only replacing the filters (according to the manufacturer's instructions regarding the number of hours insured) or by washing them at 60 ° with a common detergent, always taking into consideration the manufacturer's indications regarding the maximum number of washings recommended.How important is the brand of an FFP2 mask?
Since the quality of an FFP2 mask is certifies with a few and small precautions, including certification, the brand takes on negligible importance if at all. Although there are excellent Italian brands such as Sicura Protection, therefore, our advice is not to focus too much on this aspect, paying attention to other factors reported in this article.How to use FFP2 masks ?
Even if thanks to our guide you now know which are the safest FFP2 masks, as well as the methods that will allow you to verify with certainty whether a particular product is certified or not, we still want to give you further suggestions regarding its use. In fact, many people wonder how long the mask can be worn before changing it. According to the rules of use in the world of work, it should be replaced after 4 hours but, obviously, this is not sustainable for a number of reasons, first of all the expenditure in terms of money.In any case, a lot it depends on the context. If you usually wear it outdoors, you can easily change it after several days. It is different, however, if you work in a hospital where, especially in this Covid period, it is recommended to change it twice a day. For those who work in the office, however, it is suggested to change it only once a day. Another method you may want to consider to know when to replace it is to evaluate your breathing. If you notice that you are starting to find it hard to breathe, it means that the time has come to change it and wear a brand new one. faith, could expose them to contagion risk. We obviously talk about not wearing it in the right way or taking it off all the time, which obviously should be avoided if you want the mask to perform its role correctly. It is therefore necessary to make them adhere well to the face and always use the hook behind the neck.
All masks, including FFP2 and FFP3, become useless if the most important hygiene principles are neglected. For example, if you return home after a long bus or train ride, where you have touched the handrails and handles, removed the mask and scratched your nose, the sense of wearing it disappears. If you type on your computer keyboard all morning and then go to lunch without washing your hands first, you are taking a high risk. Again, wearing it on the workstation would have been useless.
Better one or two FFP2 masks?
Especially during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, some have advised wearing more than one mask at the same time, superimposing them on top of each other. While this may seem like a good idea, the benefits are actually almost useless if you take the main hygiene measures mentioned above. Furthermore, the use of several masks simultaneously will lead to an inevitable increase in waste of resources, so our advice is to wear only one, but use it respecting the standards set by the regulations, without forgetting normal daily hygiene.What is the filtering capacity of the FFP2 masks?
In the initial part of the article we had already anticipated what the filtering capacity of the FFP2 masks is, but now let's go into more detail, also discovering the differences compared to a surgical model and the most filtering FFP3.Surgical masks are disposable medical devices, usually having 3 overlapping layers of non-woven fabric (TNT), which provide a very limited protection against viruses and bacteria. These models, in fact, are able to stop only the droplets of secretions, also called droplets, but they are totally ineffective against aerosol systems, which usually contain small infectious particles. Having said that, this type of masks should only be used in the presence of small crowds and in non-contaminated environments.
The FFP2 models, on the other hand, guarantee a filtering capacity equal to or greater than 95%, making them suitable for operators health workers who assist infected individuals or the population, should the latter be in contagion conditions. However, their structure still allows viruses to enter, albeit in a much less risky way.
Finally, there are the FFP3s which, as you know, are the ones that provide the best protection from viruses and bacteria. In this case, the protection will be almost total, as this type of mask guarantees a filtering capacity equal to or greater than 98%. Furthermore, the layers of which it is composed are smaller than viruses, making it highly recommended during maneuvers that produce aerosols. Their high filtering capacity, however, considerably limits the person's breathing, making the latter much more tiring, especially after a certain threshold of use. Unfortunately, it is a price to pay if you want to obtain absolute protection, even if we believe it is not recommended to wear it to a person already suffering from breathing difficulties.
To conclude, we inform you that the FFP2 and FFP3 masks can be sold or not with the valve, which has the purpose of emitting unfiltered air. Since this filters only the incoming air, you will have the advantage of expelling most of your breath, but this inevitably involves damage to others, if they come into contact with a virus that could have come out of your respiratory tract, which is why we do not recommend. to rely on a model equipped with a valve, unless you work in close contact with fine dust and toxic substances.
