Washable masks work great and protect those who use them. This was revealed by the Altroconsumo test on 19 products passed with flying colors
Don't store avocado like this: it's dangerousWashable masks work great and protect those who use them. This was revealed by the Altroconsumo test conducted on a sample of 19 reusable masks, which were passed with flying colors.
Among the best, at the top of the ranking with an "Excellent" rating, are the washable masks by Decathlon, Pompea and Colipra.
“We brought 19 washable masks from pharmacies, online and other stores to the lab. We have chosen them trying to cover the whole spectrum of masks that are on sale both as fabrics (cotton, stretch polyester, TNT ...), and as shapes (beak, with and without seams, with central folds ...), and as prices (the cheapest mask of our sample costs just over two euros, the most expensive one almost ten) ”, explains the consumer association.
All the products were then subjected to a series of tests, including the two main ones used to certify disposable surgical masks (filtering capacity, i.e. the ability of the mask to prevent the passage of microscopic droplets with an average diameter of 3 microns, and air permeability or "breathability").
And the results speak for themselves: they work great, even after 5 washes.
“The quality of a mask is given by the combination of filtering capacity and breathability. It is not enough that it has a superior filtering capacity, it also needs to be breathable enough to allow us to breathe without difficulty. Among the masks analyzed, those that climbed to the top of the ranking hit the target, ensuring good filtering capacity while allowing the wearer to breathe easily. Some products, on the other hand, while obtaining flattering judgments on the filtering capacity, were penalized by the low air permeability. The wearer will be led to breathe from the leaks or to adopt other stratagems to avoid discomfort, undermining their effectiveness. The air passes from the lateral gaps or next to the nose without being filtered or if you feel fatigued you tend to touch the mask, lower it, wear it badly, not adherent or even under the nose ”, concludes Altrocnsumo.
In short, excellent news also for the environment, given the enormous amount of disposable waste that we find ourselves having to dispose of with the massive use of surgical masks.
There is only one problem: you need rules. In fact, there is no official classification for these products, because today citizens are at the mercy of an unclear market where you can find everything and there are no indications on the label.
"We reported this with a letter to Minister Speranza and the president of the Brusaferro Higher Institute of Health asking the Government to introduce minimum effectiveness requirements also for washable and reusable" community "masks, which guarantee citizens a good ability to filtration and breathability. And that these requirements are easily identifiable thanks to a unique logo to be printed on the label, in line with what happened in other European countries ". And we hope he responds soon.
To read the test result click here
Source Altroconsumo
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