The Importance of Changing Face Mask Filters

The Importance of Changing Face Mask Filters

Wearing a face mask comes with several benefits including protection from bacterial and viral aerosols, air pollution, and allergens. While the post-pandemic era has inculcated the habit of routine mask-wearing among many people, what’s critical to understand is the right method of wearing them. 

For maximum protection, scientists recommend the usage of face mask filters that have the ability to trap the smallest of submicron particles including infectious agents, dust, pollutants, and gases. These filter inserts can be attached to the inside of the mask for an additional layer of protection. Filters also improve the overall mask fit and close the gaps around the mask to prevent any air leakage. 

The right practice – when it comes to using filters with reusable masks – involves changing or replacing the filters at the right time. 

Why You Should Use Sustainable Face Mask Filters

From providing the highest level of protection to protecting our environment, using sustainable filters come with several benefits. Cloth masks or regular surgical masks devoid of filters can fail to provide adequate protection to the wearer. This is largely because regular filter-less masks are not dense enough to trap harmful particulate matter that is smaller in diameter. These masks also leave gaps around the nose and the mouth which lets the pollutants enter the throat and the respiratory tract. Using efficient filter media, on the other hand, can filter out the minutest particles (including the finer PM0.1 particles) so you can breathe in only the cleanest air. 

Disposable masks that are manufactured using plastic materials can linger in the environment for many centuries. According to The Guardian, “disposable masks floating like jellyfish” had been seen in the Mediterranean. Since masks have become a daily essential for a large chunk of the population, more and more people are now oscillating towards reusable masks with replaceable filters. This approach to mask-wearing is not only economical but also contributes to a healthier environment. 

When and Why You Should Change Face Mask Filters

As a general rule, face mask filters can be used up to 7 times. That said, several brands have different specifications for the duration of filter usage. AusAir, for example, creates high-filtration, sustainable filters that can be used for up to 15 days. When buying a mask filter, it’s important to follow the supplier’s guidelines for the filter’s usage and replacements. 

Air Filtering Masks

While filters offer increased protection from particles and aerosols, they must be replaced from time to time. This is because filters accumulate different kinds of germs that can remain trapped inside, spreading into the mask’s layers. Using the same filter for longer than a specified period of time can expose you to these germs, causing multiple health problems. 

AusAir say that they provide the world’s most breathable filters that come with refreshing botanical infusions. Certified by an FDA-approved MedTech lab, our filters cancel out more than 99% of bacterial, viral, and PM0.1 particles. While shifting to reusable masks with filters comes with many positives, it’s critical to consider the importance of changing them appropriately to enable maximum mask efficiency.