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Face mask regulations change frequently; check out the latest rules across Australia. Masks are compulsory on flights and at airports. Even when masks aren't mandatory, they help reduce transmission and protect the vulnerable.
DS2 and DL2 are Japanese standards for dust masks. DS2 and DL2 masks are disposable and consist of a filter, facepiece and headband. They filter the air as you inhale and release exhaled air through an exhalation valve.
Both masks filter over 95.0% of particles. The only difference between the masks is the method used to test their filtering efficiency.
While you can technically order DS2 and DL2 masks online from Japan, they're not widely availably. It's much easier to find the Australian equivalent, P2 masks.
P2 masks offer the same level of protection and filtration and are much more widely used in Australia.
When it comes to choosing a face mask, it can be difficult to determine the difference between types. According to respirator company 3M, P2, FFP2, KN95 and N95 masks are all very similar, though they do vary slightly in performance.
You can check out the differences below:
Certification/Class | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Filter performance | ≥ 95% | ≥ 95% | ≥ 95% | ≥ 94% | ≥ 94% | ≥ 95% |
Test agent | NaCl | NaCl and paraffin oil | NaCl | NaCl | NaCl and paraffin oil | NaCl |
Flow rate | 85 L/min | 95 L/min | 85 L/min | 95 L/min | 95 L/min | 85 L/min |
Total inward leakage (TIL) | N/A | ≤ 8% leakage | ≤ 8% leakage | ≤ 8% leakage | ≤ 8% leakage | Inward Leakage measured and included in User Instructions |
Inhalation resistance | ≤ 343 Pa | ≤ 70 Pa (at 30L/min)≤ 240 Pa (at 95 L/min)≤ 500 Pa (clogging) | ≤ 350 Pa | ≤ 70 Pa (at 30L/min)≤ 240 Pa (at 95L/min) | ≤ 70 Pa (at 30L/min)≤ 240 Pa (at 95L/min) | ≤ 70 Pa (w/valve)≤ 50 Pa (no valve) |
Flow rate | 85L/min | Varied – seeabove | 85L/min | Varied – seeabove | Varied – seeabove | 40L/min |
Exhalation resistance | ≤ 245 Pa | ≤ 300 Pa | ≤ 250 Pa | ≤ 120 Pa | ≤ 300 Pa | ≤ 70 Pa (w/valve) ≤ 50 Pa (no valve) |
Flow rate | 85L/min | 160L/min | 85L/min | 85L/min | 160L/min | 40L/min |
Exhalation valve leakage requirement | Leak rate ≤ 30mL/min | N/A | Depressurization to 0 Pa ≥ 20 sec | Leak rate ≤ 30mL/min | Visual inspection after 300L /min for 30 sec | Depressurization to 0 Pa ≥ 15sec |
Force applied | -245 Pa | N/A | -1180 Pa | -250 Pa | N/A | -1,470 Pa |
CO2 clearance requirement | N/A | ≤ 1% | ≤ 1% | ≤ 1% | ≤ 1% | ≤ 1% |
Each mask is also subject to various regulatory standards around the world which means that, depending on where you live, one particular type of mask will be the most common. In Australia and New Zealand, for instance, the P2 mask is the most common, while in China it is the KN95 mask.
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