NEW ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL STRAPLESS ADHESION RESPIRATOR (FACE MASK)
DECREASES EXPOSURE
to Swine Flu and other Respiratory Pathogens and Harmful Particles
Concern over the possibility of a swine flu pandemic is focusing people’s interest on strategies they can take to protect themselves. Frequent hand washing is not enough since the virus is easily transmitted via airborne droplets and aerosols; even distant from a cough or sneeze can result in infection. For individuals whose work or personal responsibilities put them into close contact with an infectious person, an effective respirator (face mask) is essential protection.
NIOSH approved filtering facepiece respirators with an N95 level of protection or HIGHER are being recommended by the CDC/National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health for protection against the H1N1 virus. However, no matter how efficient the filter, if a mask does not fit properly, then gaps between the mask and the face (the face-seal) will allow harmful/infectious particles to enter the wearer’s breathing zone.
Lessons learned from the SARS experience, have inspired Stanley Weinberg, inventor and Chairman & CEO of Wein Products Inc., to design and engineer an adhesion facemask addressing the shortcomings and limitations of conventional respirators that are held in place by straps, rubber bands and nose clips.
The FitsealTM Adhesion Filtering Facepiece Particulate Respirator (FFPR) represents a breakthrough in personal respirator technology. Co-developed by Canadian and American scientists and medical experts, this one-size-fits-all respirator is held in place by medical-grade adhesion technology that conforms and seals to the wearer’s face, thereby significantly reducing inward and outward leakage between the mask and the face.
The FitsealTM N99 offers at least 99% filtration efficiency against solid and liquid aerosols that do not contain oil. The structure and materials are designed with comfort in mind. It allows for easy breathing as well as clear speech and can be worn comfortably for up to eight hours. It is easy to don and remove, and will not interfere with glasses, or headgear.
Dr. Gabor Lantos, Director, of Personal Protective Equipment for FaceSeal Technologies, notes the level of respiratory protection recommended by authorities has evolved since the SARS outbreak of 2003. “The general population is not aware that loose fitting surgical masks covering the nose and mouth have significant face-seal leakage factors and are not recommended to protect the wearer against airborne infection. Dr. Lantos says, “The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) researchers and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have shown that respirator fit is critical to provide essential protection against airborne viruses and bacteria. The seal between the edge of the respirator and the face (the face-seal) is especially crucial, because leakage through any gaps will allow disease-causing viruses to enter one’s breathing zone inside the respirator….”
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) states that:
“Face-seal leakage is the weak link that limits a respirator’s protection ability.”
(Reference: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, December 30, 2005/54)
FitSealTM is the first and only adhesion respirator that has been approved by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and meets additional test requirements for new technology as part of respirator certification. Additional test requirements included a fit test in a corn oil atmosphere to test the face-seal integrity.
The FitSealTM Respirators will be launched in North America at the AIHce (American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Expo, held in Toronto ON, Canada, June 1 – 3, 2009 Booth 1606
1-888-420-6275 / www.facesealtechnologies.com
