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Table 2 Surgical masks versus FFP2, specification according to EN standard

From: Risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission by aerosols, the rational use of masks, and protection of healthcare workers from COVID-19

Certification/ Class (Standard)

FFP2 (EN 149)

Type II Surgical Mask (EN 14683)

Protection

Protection of the carrier against solid and liquid aerosols

Protection against droplet ejection from the carrier*

Application

Self protection / Industrial safety

External protection*

Filter performance – (must be ≥ X% efficient)

0.3 Microns ≥94%

3.0 Microns: ≥ 98%

0.1 Microns: No requirement

Total inward leakage

≤ 8% leakage (arithmetic mean)

No requirement

Exposure to of inert particles and live aerosolised influenza virus

Estimated 100-fold reduction**

Estimated 6-fold reduction**

  1. *This description meets the requirements of the EN standard. However, the evidence described in the body of the article and many years of experience show that surgical masks provide sufficient self-protection
  2. **According to the Health and Safety Laboratory for the Health and Safety Executive 2008, https://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrpdf/rr619.pdf