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RiskyBusiness  
#1 Posted : 24 February 2016 10:04:32(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
RiskyBusiness

A quick query for my colleagues in the health care profession...
Having had a look at the masks being worn in the photos here http://www.thescottishsu...ital-for-third-time.html it looks as though a number of the masks are fitted with exhalation valves.
As such, they would offer little/no protection to 3rd parties, as opposed to protecting from hazards external to the wearer of said RPE.
Is this a different type of disposable filtering face piece respirator?



JHF  
#2 Posted : 24 February 2016 11:08:58(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
JHF

The valves you mention don't make any difference to the use (efficiency) of the masks - some have them, some dont.
RiskyBusiness  
#3 Posted : 24 February 2016 11:38:23(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
RiskyBusiness

OK - my understanding is that the exhausted breath displaces a membrane and does not pass through the filter i.e. a mask fitted with an exhalation filter is providing filtration in one direction only. It provides protection to the user, but - if that is the intention - it does not provide protection from the user.
I was seeking clarification as to whether FFPRs provided for medical use have filtration for exhaled breath.
RiskyBusiness  
#4 Posted : 24 February 2016 11:44:30(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
RiskyBusiness

Sorry..1st sentence should have read "exhalation valve", not "exhalation filter"!
Ron Hunter  
#5 Posted : 24 February 2016 11:49:44(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Ron Hunter

The last photograph in the article suggests a lack of credible risk control. Note the fully suited and booted "evac crew" accompanied by 2 local staff wearing plastic aprons, and some random bloke in the background wearing...............a fleece jacket.



Reminds me of an asbestos cement roof dismantle I witnessed some years back. Those at height were fully suited and booted etc. and were engaged in carefully handing roof sheets down to the labourer at ground level who was wearing.......... a football shirt.
Graham  
#6 Posted : 24 February 2016 12:06:51(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Graham

Err
Perhaps I've got this wrong but Pauline Cafferkey is wearing the mast to protect everyone else, not herself.

So an exhaust valve is totally inapproprite - I'm not sure what type of RPE there is that protects the environment from an infected person.

RPE is to protect the individual from the environment not the other way round.

Looks like this is something that needs further consideration to me.
walker  
#7 Posted : 24 February 2016 15:12:51(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
walker

Graham wrote:
Err
Perhaps I've got this wrong but Pauline Cafferkey is wearing the mast to protect everyone else, not herself.

So an exhaust valve is totally inapproprite - I'm not sure what type of RPE there is that protects the environment from an infected person.

RPE is to protect the individual from the environment not the other way round.

Looks like this is something that needs further consideration to me.


I agree, clearly no one thought this through
Its just there for "show" isn't it?





walker  
#8 Posted : 24 February 2016 15:28:20(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
walker

..............unless its to prevent her picking up other infections (maybe her immune system is weak).
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