[Click! Health] Yellow Dust on Full Swing in Clear Spring Weather... Which Mask Should You Wear?

As the weather turns fully spring-like, concerns about yellow dust occurrence are increasing. When going outside on days with severe yellow dust, wearing a mask is necessary, and we have looked into which specific masks should be worn.

Mask [Image source=Pixabay]

According to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety on the 5th, excluding masks for cold protection, masks managed as 'quasi-drugs' are classified into health masks, surgical masks, and droplet-blocking masks depending on their intended use. To prepare for yellow dust and fine dust, which frequently occur in spring, a 'health mask' should be worn.

A health mask is 'a mask intended to protect the respiratory system from particulate harmful substances such as yellow dust and fine dust or infectious agents,' and it has the performance to filter fine particles. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety urged that when wearing a health mask, one should check that the product is approved as a 'quasi-drug' and wear it accordingly.

On the packaging of health masks, particle blocking performance is indicated by ▲'KF80' ▲'KF94' ▲'KF99'. KF stands for 'Korea Filter,' and the higher the number following KF, the greater the effect of blocking fine dust particles, but breathing becomes correspondingly more difficult. KF80 can filter out more than 80% of fine particles averaging 0.6㎛ in size, while KF94 and KF99 can filter out 94% and 99% or more, respectively, of particles averaging 0.4㎛ in size.

Washing health masks will not maintain their performance, and used products may be contaminated with dust or bacteria, so reuse is not recommended. When wearing, the mask should fit snugly to completely cover the nose and mouth. Adding towels or tissues underneath may reduce effectiveness. The shelf life of quasi-drug health masks is generally three years from the manufacturing date.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety emphasized that even if a mask is worn, hygiene rules such as thoroughly washing the face, hands, and feet after going outside must be strictly followed.