11Sep
First-Res N95 Face Mask

Questions Raised Over Face Masks Used In Australian Hospitals

September 11, 2020By

Victorian and NSW public hospitals are using a batch of respirators that are at risk of tearing and may not meet Australian manufacturing standards.

The masks did not gain National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) certification as an N95 respirator until 7 June; however, many of the respirators currently in use across Victoria and New South Wales come from a batch manufactured on 5 May.

Wing You, General Manager of BYD Australia, told newsGP the respirator is ‘fully compliant with Australian standards’ and the batch is ‘definitely’ safe.

‘These masks were manufactured in May. They didn’t get approval from NIOSH, but they are the same model,’ he said.

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14Aug
First Res Face Mask

Coronavirus Update: Which Type Of Face Mask Is Most Effective Against COVID-19?

August 14, 2020By

Face masks are recommended as a simple barrier to help prevent respiratory droplets from travelling into the air and onto other people when the person wearing the mask coughs, sneezes, talks, or raises their voice. This is called source control.

So, which mask will best protect you and which will protect the community from unknowing carriers of COVID-19?

Face masks are no replacement for physical distancing and good hand hygiene. You should limit your travel and, where possible, avoid any large gatherings.

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05Aug
First-res face mask rules

Coronavirus Update: Countries Are Extending the Rules. You Might Have To Wear Face Masks Outdoors.

August 5, 2020By

Cases are ticking upwards in parts of Europe and the Americas are still battling to contain vast Covid-19 outbreaks.

The second wave of infections are starting to be felt, some governments are reaching for a new tool that many public health experts have been touting for months: stricter mask mandates.

In recent days, masks have become mandatory in all public spaces — indoors or outdoors — in Madrid, Greece, Portugal’s Madeira Islands and Hong Kong.

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07Jul
first-res face masks latest 2021

Coronavirus Update: Do Face Masks Really Reduce COVID-19 Spread?

July 7, 2020By

With the recent spread of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, people are looking to face masks as a way of protecting themselves and others from the virus, which causes the disease COVID-19.

But does wearing a face mask prevents the spread of coronaviruses?

Yes, wearing a face mask can help reduce the spread of the coronavirus by people who have COVID-19 but don’t realize it.

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12Jun
first-res BFE/VFE 2021

The Bacterial & Viral Filtration (BFE/VFE) Performance Of Breathing System Filters

June 12, 2020By

The Bacterial Filtration Efficiency (BFE) test is performed on filtration materials and devices that are designed to provide protection against biological aerosols, such as face masks, surgical gowns, caps, and air filters.

This test is used for FDA 510(k) submissions for surgical masks, is required by ASTM F2100 and EN 14683, and complies with ASTM F2101 and EN14683.

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