FFP2 masks that have already been used can continue to provide effective protection against corona - these models are suitable

Created: 12/29/2021, 05:29 PM

By: Leyla Yildiz

An FFP2 mask can be reused by drying it in the oven.

(Symbol picture) © Armin Weigel / dpa

FFP2 masks can effectively protect against corona infection.

This also applies to certain masks that have already been used - they just need to be dried.

Munich - five minutes and three meters away - that's enough for a person to be infected with a corona infected person with almost 100 percent certainty.

This is what researchers at the Max Planck Institute found out.

They published the results at the beginning of December.

New study: masks can effectively protect against corona infection

But - and that's the good news - the risk of infection can be significantly reduced.

This is made possible either by a well-fitting medical mask or an FFP2 mask.

If both the infected and the non-infected wear a well-closed FFP2 mask, "the maximum risk of infection after 20 minutes, even at the shortest distance, is hardly more than one per thousand", as stated in a message from the institute.

That translates to 0.1 percent.

However, if the masks are not close to the face, the probability increases to four percent.

If both of them wear surgical masks, there is a ten percent chance that the virus will be transmitted within 20 minutes.

FFP2 masks used several times in the test: This is how they cut off

However, all types of masks should only be worn once.

Nevertheless, FFP2 masks can be used again by drying in the oven at 80 degrees Celsius, thus significantly reducing the risk of infection.

Researchers at the Munich University of Applied Sciences looked into it and published their results shortly before Christmas.

They came to the conclusion that the filter performance had decreased significantly in eight of the 15 masks tested, but it was still within the prescribed range.

Twelve of the masks can be used multiple times.

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