Wearing a face mask in public is now a way of life for many people worldwide. A mask is mandatory for those living in Victoria and New South Wales for several public indoor settings. As a community, it’s important we take this safety measure seriously and do our part to prevent the spread of COVID-19, especially with the new omicron variant running rampant in our country.
While there are several different kinds to choose from, many people opt for face masks with a pocket for a disposable filter layer. These filters can provide extra protection for the wearer by filtering out large air particles. For these filters to be effective, they need to be changed regularly. So, if you’re looking for the ultimate instructional guide on face mask filters, you’ve come to the right place.
How effective are face masks?
By now, we’re well aware that wearing a mask is beneficial to everyone and a growing body of evidence favours them. This meta-analysis of 172 studies was published on the 1st of June 2020 and found that wearing masks significantly reduces the transmission of viral infections. The study looked at COVID-19, SARS and MERS transmission and found the same result consistently. In short, wearing a mask is always a good thing.
Another thing we know? Some carriers of coronavirus are asymptomatic, meaning they don’t show any symptoms. While there’s evidence to suggest that wearing a mask protects you, there’s actually stronger evidence to suggest it protects everyone else around you. If you’re an unknown carrier and you routinely wear a mask, it dramatically minimises the likelihood of someone else catching the virus from you. Infected people can spread the virus just by talking, so masks are imperative to stopping the spread at this point.
Why do face masks need filters?
It’s worth noting that slapping on a mask doesn’t automatically make it effective. In fact, there are a lot of factors you need to consider. From disposable to reusable, store-bought to homemade — there are a lot of different ways you can approach mask-wearing. If you decide to go down the reusable route (which is far more economical/eco-friendly), you’ll need to invest in filters.
According to research, adding a filter to face masks could offer extra protection to the wearer – not just those around them. And when it comes to reusable face masks, the more layers, the better.
How often should filters be changed?
There’s a variety of replaceable filters currently available, from cloth to carbon. For them to work effectively, you need to ensure your mask is fitted snugly around your face with no gaps for air to escape. If worn correctly, the combination of your mask and filter can prevent even the most minuscule of particles from getting through.
However, the more you use your filter, the less effective it will become. To ensure you’re always prioritising your safety, you’re advised to change your filter and wash your mask every day, waiting until it’s completely dry before using it again. Just be sure you’re buying masks that have built-in filter pockets for you to replace them.
It’s important to remember that a mask by itself is not enough to protect you from coronavirus. You’ll need to practice social distancing, and enforce the 1.5m rule and try to maintain hand hygiene.
Where to buy replaceable filters:
If you’re interested in buying replacement filters or reusable face masks that come with filters, we’ve rounded up a few here.
30PCS Activated Carbon Filter Mask Insert ($10.25)
Looking for multiple inserts and quick delivery? You’ve found it.
50PCS PM 2.5 Activated Carbon Filter 5 Layer Replaceable Insert ($13.00)
A five-layer filter system guarantees maximum protection against dust, pollutants and pollen allergens. PM 2.5 is the size of common carbon particulates — so a PM 2.5 filter will stop these from getting through.
100PCS PM 2.5 Activated Carbon Anti-Pollution Filters ($18.99)
If you’ve got a large family and want to make sure there are enough filters to go around to keep all of your masks as effective as possible, this 100 pack is the perfect family size that’ll last you ages. You can also grab ’em in kids sizes if you’ve got any tinies.
200PCS PM 2.5 Activated Carbon Filter ($11.99)
It’s no secret buying in bulk is always an economical choice. Masks look like they’ll be sticking around for a long while into the future anyway, so there’s a good chance you’ll end up using them all.
Face Mask with Breathing Valve and Activated Carbon Filters ($18.88)
Two face masks fitted with exhalation valves and four carbon filters to protect against most pollutants. What more could you want?
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