The meaning of the FFP protection classes

Aerosols and fine dust particles are among the most insidious health risks in the working environment; they are almost invisible in the air we breathe. Particle-filtering half masks offer protection against such dangers – they are divided into three protection classes: FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3.

The importance of breathing protection

Hazardous particles can be carcinogenic or radioactive, others damage the body’s respiratory system over decades and lead to the long-term development of serious diseases. At best, workers only have to deal with unpleasant odours. Respiratory masks protect in three classes against aqueous and oily aerosols, smoke and fine dust at work; their protective function is standardized throughout Europe according to EN 149. They are referred to as particle-filtering half masks or fine dust masks and are divided into protection classes FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3.

How does a respirator work?

Respiratory masks protect against respirable dust, smoke and liquid mist (aerosol), but not against vapour and gas. The classification system is divided into three FFP classes, the abbreviation FFP stands for “filtering face piece”. A breathing mask covers the nose and mouth and is made up of various filter materials and the mask itself. They are mandatory at workplaces where the occupational exposure limit value (OEL) is exceeded. This is the maximum permissible concentration of dusts, smoke and aerosols in the air breathed that does not lead to damage to health. If it is exceeded, breathing masks are mandatory.

What do respiratory masks protect against?

The protection classes FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3 offer respiratory protection for different concentrations of pollutants, depending on the total leakage and the filtering of particle sizes up to 0.6 μm The total leakage is caused by the filter permeability and leaks on the face and nose, which uvex respirators avoid as far as possible by following the human anatomy. Thanks to innovative filter technology, breathing resistance also remains low and breathing is not impeded by trapped particles in the filter, even if the respirator is used several times.