NIOSH is recommending a new standard in face masks for workplaces, called
- Workplace Performance and
- Workplace Performance Plus masks
Manufacturing masks that comply with the new NIOSH criteria can help protect people in the workplace from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. These masks CANNOT be used as a replacement for respiratory protection when it is needed. The new mask criteria and ASTM Specification for Barrier Face Coverings, F3502-21(ASTM Standard) determine an expected level of source control performance for workers when wearing the mask according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
To fully meet the new NIOSH criteria, masks must conform to all of the design requirements and meet the performance criteria stated in the ASTM Standard. They must meet additional NIOSH performance criteria AND undergo testing, which are both described below.
Manufacturers of these masks should provide the minimum labeling criteria and information about proper use, and have a system in place to maintain the consistency of mask quality.
The ASTM design requirements state the mask must:
- Cover the wearer’s nose and mouth and fit snugly against the sides of the face and nose without gaps, as determined by the design analysis.
- Have a means for keeping the mask over the nose and mouth for the expected period of use and range of activities.
- Have non-irritating and nontoxic materials where the mask contacts the skin.
- Be either disposable (single use) or reusable (multiple use).
- Be able to be worn by individuals with a range of fit characteristics (excluding children under age 2), or designed with multiple sizes to allow fit for a wide variety of people in the end-user population.
The ASTM performance criteria address filtration and breathability. NIOSH adds criteria for leakage and labeling. The following table includes the required criteria.
| Type of Mask | Filtration | Breathability | Leakage* | Labeling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Workplace Performance Mask | ASTM F3502 Level 2 at ≥50% | ASTM F3502 Level 1 | Leakage ratio of ≥5 | MEETS WORKPLACE PERFORMANCE |
| Workplace Performance Plus Mask | ASTM F3502 Level 2 at ≥80% | ASTM F3502 Level 1 | Leakage ratio of ≥10 | MEETS WORKPLACE PERFORMANCE PLUS |
*A higher leakage ratio number means that fewer particles escape around the edges, indicating products provide better source control across users with a variety of facial sizes
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