Quick Guide To Respirator Masks: Europe, US and Asia
We examined the different protective respirator masks available globally, comparing key specifications and lab test results, including bacterial and particle filtration efficiency (BFE/PFE), total inward leakage during exercise, and international equivalents. These are summarised below for quick reference.
Europe
European grade masks are referred to as a filtering facepiece (FFP) respirator or mask, and are certified in the EU by the EN 149 standard. The mask should bear the manufacturer’s name and CE number of the certification body for compliance. There are three classes of filter efficiency — FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3. The acronym NR (not reusable) or R (reusable) is routinely added after the class name.
FFP1 mask:
- Specified filtration of at least 80% (BFE/PFE) >0.3 microns size
- Offer least filtration of the three available levels
- Highest total inward leakage rate of all FFPs – a maximum of 22%
- Moulded polypropylene and Folding formats available
FFP2 mask:
- Specified filtration of at least 94% (BFE/PFE) >0.3 microns size
- Similar to a N95 (US standard) and KN95 (Chinese standard)
- Total inward leakage is a maximum of 8%
- Moulded polypropylene and Folding formats available
FFP3 mask:
- Specified filtration of at least 99% (BFE/PFE) >0.3 microns size
- Similar to a N99 mask (US standard)
- Lowest total inward leakage rate – a maximum of 2%
- Moulded polypropylene and Folding formats available
US
US grade respirator masks are approved and certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, marked as NIOSH-42CFR84. They are classified according to their percentage of filtration.
N95 respirator mask:
- Specified filtration of at least 95% (BFE/PFE) >0.3 microns size
- Similar to FFP2 (EU standard) and KN95 (Chinese standard)
- Not tested for total inward leakage
- Moulded and Folding-pleated variations are available
- Labelled as single-use device*
N99 respirator mask:
- Specified filtration of at least 99% (BFE/PFE) >0.3 microns size
- Similar to FFP3 (EU standard).
- They are not tested for total inward leakage.
- Are identical to N95 masks in other respects
- Moulded and Folding-pleated variations are available
- Labelled as single-use device*
*ASTM standards refers to the American Society for Testing and Materials Standards for PPE.
Asia
Asian grade respirator masks are certified by the GB2626-2006 in China, (with masks bearing similar nomenclature to the US), in Japan by JMHLW-Notification 214, 2018, and in South Korea by the KMOEL- 2017-64 standard.
China KN95 respirator mask:
- Specified filtration of at least 95% (BFE/PFE) >0.3 microns.
- Subtle difference to similar sounding N95 (US standard) in test parameters. Examples include: – Inhalation resistance <343 Pa for N95; <350 Pa for KN95 – N95 not tested for total inward leakage (TIL); KN95 max TIL of 8%
- Similar to a N95 (US standard), and FFP2 (EU standard)
Korea 1st class mask:
- Specified filtration of at least 94% (BFE/PFE) >0.3 microns
- Similar to a FFP2 (EU standard), N95 (US standard) and KN95 (Chinese standard)
- Total inward leakage is a maximum of 8%
- Alternative name KF94
Japan DS2 mask:
- Specified filtration of at least 95% (BFE/PFE) >0.3 microns
- Similar to FFP2 (EU standard), N95 (US standard) and KN95 (Chinese standard)
- Inward leakage included in individual user instructions