As Americans approach a full year of facial protection to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, a technical standards organization has released the first national standard for consumer facial masks, CNN reports.
The new standards from the American Society for Testing and Material cover aspects such as the minimum requirements for fit, design, performance and testing for facial masks, CNN noted. They would also require user instructions, package labeling, and a permanent label.
“This standard adds value by specifying minimum design, performance, and testing requirements and allows end-user products to be compared where current guidelines have been limited,” according to the approved ASTM standard.
To obtain certification, masks must be tested in accredited laboratories, registered and use the appropriate labeling system described by ASTM.
Labels must show two test criteria: breathability and filtration efficiency. Filtration usually makes perspiration difficult.
According to the guidelines, a level 1 design would filter at least 20% of the particles, but would have easier transpiration.
A level two certification would filter at least 50% of the particles, but would allow for less breathability.
Ventilation, valves or any other device that allows the passage of air without filtering through the mask is not allowed according to the rules.
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