A N95 FFP2 Mask is Your #1 Strategy to Beat Omicron/COVID-19

It’s always been right in front of your face, and yet, like everything else, we’ve failed to follow the science.  You guessed it right, it’s the infamous mask.  Not any mask though, but a well fitted N95 FFP2 certified mask. Even if you are buying one, what is the FFP2 particle size it filters?

Cause you can only beat science with science.  So, lets discuss the science for a change. Have you ever wondered how many microns is the omicron virus/COVID-19 virus? The average COVID/omicron particle size is 0.12 microns.  So, essentially we need a mask that creates a barrier for COVID/omicron micron size 0.12. Keep in mind that while the virus may mutate and we’ll see variants, the actual particle size will not change.

Here is a Breakdown of What an N95 Mask is:

N: This is a Respirator Rating Letter Class. It stands for “Non-Oil” meaning that if no oil-based particulates are present, then you can use the mask in the work environment.

95: Masks ending in a 95, have a 95 percent efficiency.

0.1 Microns: While traditional N95 masks only filter down to 0.3 microns with a >95% efficacy, due to COVID-19, a new class of masks has recently emerged using nanofiber media that has >95% filtration efficacy down to omicron particle size up to 0.1 microns.

FFP2: FFP stands for “filtering face piece”. It is a European standard for mask efficiency - FFP2 masks filter > 94% of all aerosols, including airborne viruses such as covid-19. When a mask is labelled as FFP 1, FFP2, and FFP3, micron size that it can filter differs. So with a FFP3, micron size it can filter would be the smallest, followed by FFP2 particle size being bigger and the biggest particle size for FFP1.

 A study published in December by the Max Planck Institute, a German research organisation, found well-fitting FFP2 masks reduced the risk of infection with COVID-19 to 0.1%.

In a recent updated guideline from the CDC, they have upped the standards for masks on filtration efficacy, comfort and fit.  We can’t emphasize the fit enough and the need for masks in different sizes for adults and kids.  Nanofiber filters also solve the problem or comfort as they come with the lowest inhalation and exhalation resistance.

Nirvana Being has been at the forefront on mask science and introduced reusable/washable Airific & Nirvana N95 FFP2 community masks with nanofiber filters back in April, 2020.  In a Country with the worst air pollution and communicable disease record on the planet, we felt strongly about delivering the highest filtration efficacy, to drive safety and well-being, for the larger community. Our masks are tested and certified in India, Europe and USA.

So know we know how many microns is the omicron virus, we must select mask according to the FFP3 and FFP2 particle size filtration capacity. Remember, no one is safe until everybody is safe. Let’s please #followthescience.