Does the mask with exhalation valve provide protection?

A small friend sent me a popular post on Weibo, saying, “The basic requirement of GB19082 for medical protective masks is that they cannot have an exhalation valve, so masks with an exhalation valve do n’t need to be considered. Do n’t buy it. It is not anti-virus.” This statement is incorrect.

First of all, the standard of medical protective masks is GB19083 , not GB19082 .

Secondly, medical protective masks can't have an exhalation valve, but it does not mean that a mask with an exhalation valve cannot be anti-virus.

The exhalation valve is unidirectional. It closes when inhaling and opens when exhaling, which can reduce the resistance during exhalation and improve comfort.

The medical protective mask (Medical N95) does not allow an exhalation valve, considering the special needs of the medical environment . For example, the exhalation valve may expel droplets or bacteria from the wearer of the mask out of the mask, thereby threatening the patient or others , And the exhalation valve part may not meet the requirements of preventing liquid splashing, etc.

therefore:

• Medical staff or direct contact with sick patients should use medical protective masks (medical N95) without breathing valves ;
• Ordinary people block droplets on a daily basis, and there is no obvious difference in the protective effect of the exhalation valve ;
• Infected or suspected infected persons , considering the need to protect others, masks should not have an exhalation valve.

The masks in the pictures in the People's Daily public account are equipped with exhalation valves :