Which side to wear a medical mask for effective protection against viruses
'16.01.2021'
Source: Life hacker
Life hacker explains why it is important to wear a medical mask with the correct side on.
A standard disposable mask has a multi-layer structure, and each layer has its own purpose and characteristics.
Taking a conventional surgical mask as an example, it consists of:
- external moisture-repellent layer;
- a middle filter layer that traps pathogenic particles (microbes and viruses);
- inner layer that absorbs moisture and protects against the accumulation of vapors under the mask.
If you put on the mask inside out, its protective effect will be noticeably reduced. The outer layer, once inside, will repel particles of moisture formed during breathing, and they will begin to scatter in different directions from under the mask. That is, a person can easily infect others. Side effect: if you wear glasses, they will instantly fog up.
The inner layer, being outside, will also harm. After all, it will absorb particles from the surrounding air, including those with pathogens. Such a mask will quickly become dirty and dangerous.
To distinguish the outer and inner layers from each other, they are color coded.
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Which side to wear a two-color medical mask
In a WHO training video, Dr. April Buller explains that the inside of the mask is “usually white”.
Actually, this is the standard that manufacturers of surgical masks adhere to.
The white (or smoother) side is the inside, in contact with the skin. Colored is always facing outward.
The information is provided from the instruction manual of the leading American manufacturer of medical protective equipment Primed.
In general, if you come across a two-tone mask, wear it with the white (lighter) side to your face.
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Which side to wear a one-color medical mask
In theory, no difference.
If the sides are not color-coded, then most likely the mask has not a three-layer, but a two-layer structure.
The filtering middle layer is sandwiched between two identical outer layers. Therefore, such a protective device can be worn by either side. Just make sure the bridge of the nose bridge is on top.
For perfectionists: you can check which of the same layers has a smoother and softer surface. If there is such a difference, wear the mask with the soft side to the skin.
