New Delhi (NVI): The Central Government has warned against the use of N-95 masks, especially with valved respirators, as it does not prevent the virus from escaping out of the mask.
Director General of Health Services Rajiv Garg in a letter to all the states and union territories said, “It is to bring to your knowledge that the use of valved respirator N95 masks is detrimental to the measures adopted for preventing the spread of coronavirus as it does not prevent the virus from escaping out of the mask.”
Garg also encouraged people to use homemade face masks .
He also referred to the advisory on the use handmade protective cover for face and mouth available on the website of Health Ministry.
Valved masks are typically used in industrial settings, where a user needs protection from the environment. While the masks filter in air that the user inhales, the valves help release exhaled air back into the environment.
When used to prevent the spread of COVID-19, valved masks would protect the user but could potentially end up harming others near them.
-CHK
