Talk:Surgical mask

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Usage in Japan

Earlier this year i visited japan and was shocked to see that people were still wearing these so called ’sars-masks’

Later on into the trip i learnt that whenever someone in japan was sick, they wore these mask as ‘respect’ for anyone around them. It is considered disrespectful to have a cold and ‘cough’ without a mask on.

There were 54 positive cases of the Influenza / Flu Virus this season. There were no reports of any deaths, but with a number that high, perhaps we should start taking on this fashion sense that japan is not ashamed to wear. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 195.188.112.2 (talk) 04:49, 27 April 2009 (UTC)[reply]

This is also a common practice in Korea. Not only to protect against the transmission of aersol germs/particulate air pollution but as a substitute for a scarf in cold weather. They are considered a fashion accesory by some and come in a wide variety of patterns and designs. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 110.47.172.81 (talk) 11:25, 31 December 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Interesting. I knew it had become a pop-fashion accessory in Japan, but didn't know it was also fashionable in Korea. Concerning the fashion aspect, I'd always assumed it grew out of Visual Kei and J-rock. But regardless of it's origin, I wouldn't be at all surprised if sufficiently decent sources could be found discussing the fashion aspect of surgical masks. If such a source is uncovered, I think a paragraph or so discussing it would be quite appropriate. -Verdatum (talk) 13:36, 31 December 2009 (UTC)[reply]

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/s_667198.html

It should be noted that masks are not at all popular during the summer months in either South Korea or Japan.

Effectiveness?

This article states that it is used by many people to protect themselves from disease yet then goes on to say that it is fairly ineffective of doing such a thing. What's the deal? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.202.89.125 (talk) 18:00, 27 April 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Apparently, as the article says, they're somewhat effective, but much less so than respirators. --IO Device (talk) 23:17, 28 April 2009 (UTC)[reply]
Whats the difference, does it have to N95 or better to be called respirators?

Also should the std, NIOSH N95 should be changed to "NIOSH N95 (or higher)" as this is what ref 1 says?

Also why is there a discrepancy between Euro and US recommendations, N95 (95%) vs FFP3(99%)? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 124.168.212.26 (talk) 09:23, 22 May 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Surgical masks are not intended to protect the wearer from disease, they are to protect the patient. In this they are effective. Devices to prevent inhaling pathogens are respirators, and thus off-topic for this article. -Verdatum (talk) 15:40, 22 May 2009 (UTC)[reply]
The article should be clear that the masks are less effective at stopping aerosols than the N95 standard respirators. This may or may not translate to more disease protection for the wearer. In fact, a study of hospital nurses found that the difference in effectiveness at preventing flu was less than one percent. "Surgical Mask vs N95 Respirator for Preventing Influenza Among Health Care Workers" Perhaps you should clarify the mention of effectiveness and add a source? --98.84.4.105 (talk) 04:59, 11 November 2009 (UTC)[reply]

External Medical Supplies

This last link goes to a commercial site that appears to sell masks. I've never seen that sort of link on Wikipedia before--is it legitimate for a Wikipedia article? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 129.6.224.185 (talk) 18:28, 29 April 2009 (UTC)[reply]

If all the link provides is a storefront to purchase masks, it is not appropriate. Per Wikipedia:External links, External links should give signifigant insight into the topic, that provides information that can not appropriately be reproduced in the article itself. Links that primarily serve commercial purposes (Not including official websites for a topic) are not welcome. It's called Linkspam. -Verdatum (talk) 20:33, 29 April 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Types of Masks

What other types (grades?) of masks are there? Are saw online N95, which are the most common, and N99. Are there any other? Also what is the difference between them?70.79.50.5 (talk) 09:32, 22 August 2010 (UTC)BeeCier[reply]

There are others, but these are respirators and not typically surgical masks. The N/R/P 95/99/100 are governmental standards for respirators. A few N95s are also cleared by the FDA as medical devices, and these are often known as Surgical N95s.

Surgical masks are pleated but also made from non-spun plastic fibres. The N95 mask (95% particles filtered) is equivalent to a P2 mask (particles down to 2.5 micron), are moulded into a cup shape, and made out of non-spun plastic fibres. Hedley 05:07, 2 April 2020 (UTC) — Preceding unsigned comment added by Hfinger (talk • contribs)

How Big?

How big are the holes that the air goes through in a surgical mask? This would be a great addition to the article.--MATThematical (talk) 21:41, 24 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

The filtration doesn't happen quite like a sieve. These non-woven fabrics have spaces much larger than the particles that are captured- theHEPA page has an explanation.

Application

We see many type or 'surgical type' mask available with different color of both side. Normally one side is white and another got blue or green color. What are the purpose of these color? And how exactly to wear mask for dual color 'surgical type' mask? White color inside(touch ur face) or otherwise? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 202.184.207.178 (talk) 04:54, 24 June 2013 (UTC)[reply]

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Coronavirus updates?

Surprisingly a quiet article with so many surgical masks being sold out world-wide. XiaoSiWoLe (talk) 01:56, 6 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]

An Oped piece in the New York Times referenced
Davies A, Thompson KA, Giri K, Kafatos G, Walker J, Bennett A (2013). "Testing the efficacy of homemade masks: would they protect in an influenza pandemic?". Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 7 (4): 413–8. doi:10.1017/dmp.2013.43.
Searching YouTube gives a South China Post video referencing or quoting the
"DIY Face Mask – 8 Steps in Making Protective Gear". Hong Kong Consumer Council. 17 March 2020.
"Reuse Mask? DIY Mask?". Hong Kong Consumer Council. 18 March 2020.
They also warn against using industrial alcohols that contain methanol for hand cleaners "Don't Use Industrial Alcohol to Make Hand Rub".. RDBrown (talk) 02:30, 19 March 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Surgical masks... confusion of viral protection.

I just read the Wikipedia article on surgical, one statement says..

A surgical mask, also known as a procedure mask, medical mask or simply as a face mask,[1][2] is intended to be worn by health professionals during surgery and during nursing to catch the bacteria shed in liquid droplets and aerosols from the wearer's mouth and nose. They are not designed to protect the wearer from inhaling airborne bacteria or virus particles and are less effective than respirators, such as N95 or FFP masks, which provide better protection due to their material, shape and tight seal.

But is then is confused by ..

A surgical mask is a loose-fitting, disposable device that creates a physical barrier between the mouth and nose of the wearer and potential contaminants in the immediate environment. If worn properly, a surgical mask is meant to help block large-particle droplets, splashes, sprays, or splatter that may contain viruses and bacteria, keeping it from reaching the wearer's mouth and nose. Surgical masks may also help reduce exposure of the wearer's saliva and respiratory secretions to others that could otherwise travel up to 26 feet.[7][8] Surgical mask also remind wearers not to touch their mouth or nose, which could otherwise transfer viruses and bacteria after having touched a contaminated surface.[6]

In particular the reference to viral protection. Bin Liddy (talk) 01:39, 6 April 2020 (UTC)[reply]

It is a barrier, just not a great one. For large biologic particles, especially if carried in fluid, the mask would help stop it. True airborne viruses and other infectious agents will pass right through. Wording needs adjustment. MartinezMD (talk) 12:40, 6 April 2020 (UTC)[reply]
Updated and clarified based on a couple of recent review articles of N95 versus surgical masks. Doc James (talk · contribs · email) 03:13, 8 May 2020 (UTC)[reply]
@MartinezMD: Just to be precise, some studies show that material of surgical masks can block from 60 to 80% of tiny particles, smaller than 1 micron.[1] Even though they don't provide a complete protection, that doesn't mean that virions can just pass through as if the mask wasn't there. --Amakuha (talk) 10:16, 8 May 2020 (UTC)[reply]
The new edit looks good. I think the old article didn't emphasize a mask is worn to prevent the wearer from spewing forth droplets, and can prevent some droplets from reaching the wearers mouth. The original design was created to prevent the operating field from being contaminated by medical personnel. Dominick (TALK) 12:06, 8 May 2020 (UTC)[reply]
The numbers vary greatly by model, but you are correct @Amakuha:; they do offer reduction. This study compared several masks on the market [2]. MartinezMD (talk) 13:47, 8 May 2020 (UTC)[reply]

The current reference link for this line "Surgical mask also remind wearers not to touch their mouth or nose, which could otherwise transfer viruses and bacteria after having touched a contaminated surface." doesn't appear to make any reference to proving what that line says. In fact general public wearing of masks seems to be demonstrating exactly the opposite - increased touching due to discomfort. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 102.65.54.41 (talk) 05:25, 17 October 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Child face mask

Why can’t I add an image of a child face mask? How is it not a “more typical example for lead image“? Zoe1013 (talk) 03:07, 18 October 2020 (UTC)[reply]

You can certainly add a child mask, if it's a true surgical mask. However, a child does not perform surgery so the mainstream surgical mask should be the lead image. MartinezMD (talk) 03:10, 18 October 2020 (UTC)[reply]
What is a a “true” surgical mask? Zoe1013 (talk) 03:44, 18 October 2020 (UTC)[reply]
One that is used for surgery. There are different filtering standards. MartinezMD (talk) 04:19, 18 October 2020 (UTC)[reply]
Exactly. Children do not do surgical procedures anywhere in the world. Ergo, there is no such thing as a "child's surgical mask". 174.212.238.165 (talk) 04:22, 18 October 2020 (UTC)[reply]

History

The section on history cites the Wikipedia article on Wu Lien-Teh. (Is it even permitted to cite another Wikipedia article as a source?) That article does not say that Wu Lien-Teh was the original inventor of the surgical mask. It says that he improved on surgical masks he had seen in the West, and mass produced masks for use during epidemics. I don't know who originally invented the surgical mask. Even though today's (2021-03-10) Google doodle suggests it was Wu Lien-Teh, Wikipedia's article does not make that claim for him. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.0.101.184 (talk) 20:02, 10 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]

From this Lancet article, it would seem more accurate to say that masks for use in surgery were developed in Europe (in several locations) in the late nineteenth century, as a result of increasing awareness of germ theory and the importance of antiseptic procedures in medicine. As above, Dr. Wu improved the face mask and championed its use to protect medical staff and the public during an epidemic in ~1910. Sgtbilko99 (talk) 00:21, 11 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]
Coincidentally: "History of Surgical Face Masks: The myths, the masks, and the men and women behind them" (John L. Spooner, AORN Journal) Mapsax (talk) 02:37, 12 May 2021 (UTC)[reply]
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