"Lightweight and Breathable" Droplet-Blocking Mask Q&A

On the 7th, as early summer weather continues, customers visiting Emart Traders Starfield Hanam in Hanam-si, Gyeonggi Province, are purchasing disposable masks. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Starting today, individuals can purchase up to 10 public masks each. With the implementation of the public mask system stabilizing supply, the purchase limit has been expanded from 3 to 10 masks. As the weather has recently become warmer, lightweight and breathable droplet-blocking masks have been released, and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety emphasized that when caring for suspected COVID-19 patients, KF94 health masks should be used instead of droplet-blocking masks.

◆What if you already bought public masks? = Even if you purchased 3 masks between the 15th and 17th, you can buy an additional 7 masks by the weekend of the 21st. However, the duplicate purchase verification system remains in place, so an ID is required to buy public masks. Public mask sales locations remain the same: pharmacies, Hanaro Mart (excluding Seoul and Gyeonggi), and post offices (in Daegu, Cheongdo, and towns and townships).

◆Why is it difficult to buy droplet-blocking masks? = As of the 15th, five companies produce 400,000 droplet-blocking masks daily. Currently, 22 manufacturers have 40 approved products, so total production is expected to increase to about 1 million units by the end of this month or early next month. A Ministry of Food and Drug Safety official explained, "It takes preparation time to convert mask factory production lines from health masks to droplet-blocking masks."

◆How are droplet-blocking masks different from health masks? = Droplet-blocking masks have a particle blocking ability of 55?80% based on KF standards. Health masks, such as KF94, block 94% or more of particles averaging 0.4 micrometers, and KF80 blocks 80% or more of particles averaging 0.6 micrometers. Droplet-blocking masks have lower blocking performance against fine dust and yellow dust particles compared to health masks but are lightweight and breathable, making them easier to breathe through.

◆What is the difference from dental masks? = Dental masks fall under the category of quasi-drugs. They are made to prevent droplets from splashing during medical staff’s diagnosis, treatment, or surgery, or to protect from patients’ blood and bodily fluids. The problem is that general disposable masks are often mistaken for dental masks. Disposable masks have not been verified by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, so their effectiveness in blocking droplets is unconfirmed.

◆What should elderly or pregnant women use? = The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety currently recommends that pregnant women, the elderly, and expectant mothers be prioritized for droplet-blocking masks, as sufficient supply is not yet secured. A ministry official said, "Mask supply is insufficient compared to demand," and asked people to yield breathable masks to children, the elderly, and pregnant women. However, when caring for suspected COVID-19 patients, health masks must be worn.

◆Will droplet-blocking masks also be sold publicly? = The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety is currently leaving distribution to the private sector. However, depending on future market formation, they plan to comprehensively consider whether to implement a public system.