Do You Know The Difference Between A Face Covering & A P2 Respirator?

P2 Respirators Offer A Standardised Level Of Protection

Prior to 2019 and the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, you probably never considered the difference between a cloth face covering and and Australian Standard Approved P2 respirator. 

Since the start of the Covid-19 outbreak we have all been faced with a new reality where face coverings have become part of our daily life. 

Keep reading to learn more about the different types of face coverings, masks and respirators and what to consider when knowing how to protect yourself and others. 

Does A Face Covering Or Single-Use Face Mask Provide The Same Protection As A P2 Respirator?

No. Short and sweet.
 
A simple way of explaining it is a P2 respirator will protect you while you breathe in, filtering the air as it passes through the respirator, whilst a face covering or single-use mask will only protect those around you as you talk, cough or sneeze. 
Essentially a P2 respirator protects against air coming in and air going out, whilst a face covering or single-use mask only protects against air going out. 

Because face coverings and single-use masks fit loosely on the face, they do not provide respiratory protection to the wearer since small particles in the air (from a cough, sneeze etc.) can leak in around the edges. 

When correctly fitted, disposable P2 respirators can help reduce your exposure to airborne particles. P2 respirators form a tight seal around the wearers face therefore making it harder for particles to be inhaled by the wearer. 

Because of their protective capabilities, P2 respirators play a crucial role for healthcare workers and first responders on the front line of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Key Differences Between Face Coverings, Single-Use Masks, Surgical Masks & P2 Respirators

								Cloth Face Coverings Cloth face coverings are a convenient option for everyday use like shopping, in the office etc.  Cloth face coverings may help prevent large particle droplets being expelled by the wearer from reaching others when speaking, coughing, sneezing etc. Cloth face coverings are generally washable and can be found at many common retailers
								Single-Use Face Mask Similar to cloth face coverings, single-use face masks may help prevent large particle droplets being expelled by the wearer from reaching others when speaking, coughing, sneezing etc. Single-use face masks do not create a seal around the face Single-use face masks as the name suggests are designed and intended to be worn once and thrown away
								Single-Use Surgical Mask Single-use surgical masks are used by healthcare workers as a barrier to help protect against liquid splashes and sprays, such as blood, that they may be exposed to when performing certain medical procedures Single-use surgical masks may  help prevent large particle droplets being expelled by the wearer from reaching others when speaking, coughing, sneezing etc. Single-use surgical masks do not create a seal around the face and therefore do not provide respiratory protection
								P2 Disposable Respirator P2 respirators are tight fitting and therefore create a tight seal around the wearers face, covering their mouth and nose P2 respirators filter at least 95% of airborne particles The entire surface of the respirator is a filter
								P2 Surgical Disposable Respirator P2 surgical respirators meet additional standards to comply with TGA standards P2 surgical respirators are tight fitting and therefore create a tight seal around the wearers face, covering their mouth and nose P2 surgical respirators filter at least 95% of airborne particles P2 surgical respirators are used by healthcare workers as a barrier to help protect against liquid splashes and sprays, such as blood, that they may be exposed to when performing certain medical procedures