Advantages of a half face mask with P3 particle filter compared to a FFP3 Mask

Differences and advantages of a half face mask with P3 particle filter compared to a FFP3 Mask

The facepiece is the part of the respiratory protection device that establishes the connection to the wearer. This connection is naturally associated with leakage, the extent of which is determined by the type of facepiece and the facial shape and facial characteristics of the wearer. The maximum permissible leakage of a facepiece is specified in the respective standard and is considered, along with other influencing factors, when defining the protection levels of respiratory protective devices. 

According to DGUV Rule 112-190 in Germany, the assigned protection level is 30 for both half masks with a P3 particle filter and FFP3 masks. . 

The protection level does not correspond to the commonly used term “protection factor,” which represents the reciprocal of the maximum permissible leakage. Low leakage means that only a small amount of hazardous substances can enter the inside of the facepiece. .

To ensure adequate protection, the protection level of the respiratory protection device must be at least as high as the measured multiple of the occupational exposure limit value of the present hazardous substance. This ensures that the exposure limit value of the hazardous substance remains safely below the permissible threshold in the inhaled air. 

The protection level can only be achieved if the respiratory protection device is in perfect condition, used as intended, and the selected half face mask (facepiece) fits the wearer properly.

Protection performance

The protection performance of a half face mask with a P3 particle filter, which requires a separation efficiency of 99.95%, is higher than that of an FFP3 mask, which only achieves a separation efficiency of 99.00%. The high separation efficiency of 99.95% is even exceeded by BartelsRieger’s high-performance filter 30 P3+, which reaches 99.99%.

The combination of a respiratory half face mask and the 30 P3+ filter is used for particularly harmful substances such as radioactive dusts or highly potent hormone preparations. 

Pendulum Breathing

Another important difference is the avoidance of so-called pendulum breathing through targeted control of inhalation and exhalation air.

Even in FFP3 masks with an exhalation valve, parts of the exhaled air always returns into the filter medium. This causes the mask to become moistened, which negatively affects separation efficiency and breathing resistance. This leads to poorer leakage values

These negative effects are eliminated in half masks with P3 filters due to the airflow control using inhalation and exhalation valves. The filter is not additionally burdened by moist exhaled air.

Flexibility 

Another difference lies in flexibility. The BartelsRieger half face mask is equipped with a standard round thread according to EN 148-1, which means that a large variety of different particle, gas, and combination filters can be selected depending on the hazardous substance and its concentration, as long as their weight is <300 g.

Especially when combinations of hazardous substances occur, as is often the case with solvents, an FFP3 mask offers no protection, since it can only retain particle aerosols, not gaseous vapors.

Sustainability 

There are also economic and ecological differences regarding sustainability, reusability, and durability.

Unlike FFP3 masks, half masks with P3 particle filters are designed for multiple reuse., FFP3 masks are generally designed as disposable products, and disinfection and decontamination are not intended for such devices., they should be discarded when leaving the workplace. The half mask, on the other hand, consists of a robust, durable mask body that can be easily cleaned and disinfected. Only the respiratory filter needs to be replaced when necessary.

This has several advantages: 

• Sustainability: By reusing the half face mask multiple times, significantly less waste is produced. Only the respiratory filters need to be replaced, which greatly reduces resource consumption.
  
  
• Cost Savings: The half face mask also offers economic advantages. Although the initial investment is higher than for an FFP3 mask, the purchase costs quickly pay off due to the long service life and the low cost of replacement filters. 
  
  
• Hygiene and Safety: Reusable half masks can be professionally cleaned, ensuring hygienically flawless and safe use over a long period.

In conclusion, half face masks with replaceable P3 particle filters are not only the more powerful solution but also the more sustainable and economically sensible option for professional occupational safety.

Please feel free to contact us if you would like more information, whether regarding half face masks and respirator filters or FFP3 masks by BartelsRieger. 

We look forward to your inquiries.

Information is based on the German DGUV rule 112-190 “use of respiratory protective devices” as well as the European standards EN 149 “respiratory protective devices – filtering half face masks to protect against particles – requirements, testing, marking” and EN 14387 “respiratory protective devices – gas filters and combined filters – requirements, testing, marking.”