Jul. 08, 2024
By Autumn Sprabary
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Face shields are popular among people who find it hard to breathe in a mask. However, it&#;s important to know that on its own, a face shield does very little to protect you against COVID-19.
Your best chance at staying healthy is to wear a mask under your face shield and practice social distancing.
COVID-19 spreads through respiratory droplets that are released from an infected person via sneezing, coughing and talking. The goal of the clear plastic face shield is that it should block the droplets from being inhaled by the wearer and infecting them.
Although face shields add extra protection when paired with a face mask, they offer little to no protection when used alone. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains that the role of a face shield is to safeguard the eyes from infection, not the nose or mouth.
When you look at someone wearing a face shield head-on, the person&#;s face may appear completely covered. However, the shield itself sits several inches from the face, which leaves gaps around the sides and bottom of the shield, near the nose and mouth.
Due to these gaps, if the person wearing the shield were to cough or sneeze, their respiratory droplets could escape through the gaps and expose others to infection. Similarly, if someone nearby were to cough or sneeze, the person wearing the shield could still inhale the droplets through the gaps and risk becoming infected.
Before you rely on a face shield as your only line of defense against infectious disease, please understand that wearing a face shield does not replace wearing a mask.
In a study done to compare how well different face coverings block respiratory droplets, researchers determined that wearing a face shield and no other protective covering only blocked 2% of respiratory droplets.
To replicate how humans spread respiratory droplets, researchers used a cough aerosol against various face coverings to see how well they blocked the aerosol.
Results showed an N95 mask blocked 99% of the aerosol, making it the most effective at filtering harmful particles. Surgical masks, cloth masks and single- or double-layered gaiters filtered similar percentages that were less than the N95 mask. However, they all did a much better job blocking aerosol particles compared to the face shield alone.
Wearing a face shield leaves users susceptible to 98% of airborne droplets, making them pretty useless as a means of protection on their own.
While N95 masks block nearly all potentially harmful droplets, you can also achieve maximum safety by double masking.
The CDC released information in February that explained the benefits of wearing a cloth mask or gaiter over a surgical mask. Researchers conducted lab testing with dummies to measure how effective the double mask method was in filtering aerosol particles. Results showed that wearing two tightly fitting masks filtered around 95% of aerosols.
Besides wearing a face shield or mask, you can prevent the spread of COVID-19 by washing your hands regularly and avoiding people who are sick. When in public, wear a mask (or two) over your nose and mouth and keep six feet of distance between yourself and others.
SEE RELATED: 7 ways to avoid foggy glasses while wearing a face mask
If you plan to use a clear face shield when around other people, follow the recommended tips below to get the most protection:
As mentioned earlier, wearing a face shield by itself will not protect you or others. If you plan to wear a face shield, be sure to pair it with some type of face mask.
Face masks provide closer coverage, which makes them more effective in blocking contagious particles. Face shields cover the eyes and provide an added layer of defense against infection via the eyes.
An additional perk of a face shield is that it discourages people from touching their faces with contaminated hands or fingers &#; a habit that the CDC says can transmit the virus.
It&#;s important to keep your face shield clean by disinfecting it after every use. The CDC recommends following the cleaning instructions provided by the face shield&#;s manufacturer.
If manufacturer instructions are not available, the CDC offers their own face shield cleaning instructions.
The CDC recommends wearing a face shield that wraps around the sides of your face and extends down below your chin. While this makes the face shield somewhat better at blocking infectious air particles, a mask is still recommended for ideal protection.
For some people, wearing a face shield is more for necessity than convenience. Having a mask that covers the nose and mouth can cause difficulty in certain situations, such as:
People who read lips because they are deaf or hard of hearing
People with certain health issues and disabilities
Students learning a new language who benefit from seeing their teachers&#; mouths
Children or students who are learning to read
People who need to observe mouth shape to determine how to pronounce certain vowels, such as when singing
Fortunately, there is an option that allows the world to see your face while providing better safety than a face shield alone. ClearMask is a fully transparent, FDA-cleared mask that provides thorough protection and clarity when communicating.
The mask has a patent-pending design focused on comfort and breathability, while providing guaranteed protection. The ClearMask has secure yet comfortable bumpers on the top and bottom of the mask, along the chin and nose, that seal any potential gaps. Its transparent, anti-fog barrier blocks sprays, fluids and aerosols while making your face visible to others.
If you&#;re interested in adding a face shield to your COVID-19 uniform, you can easily purchase them online or in-store for a reasonable price. Big box stores, including Walmart and Home Depot offer multi-packs and various face shield designs.
As far as online shopping goes, Amazon has a large selection of face shields with varying features and price ranges.
Again, wearing a face shield without also wearing a mask does not protect you or anyone else against the spread of COVID-19. So, before you venture out, pair your new face shield with your favorite mask, and explore the world safely.
READ MORE: Is your face mask causing eye problems?
Having trusted protection for healthcare, commercial, industrial and other busy environments can be critical to protecting employees&#; and visitors&#; health. Face shields and face masks are standard solutions to enhance worker safety at a work site or facility. This personal protective equipment serves a critical purpose across industries, and you may be wondering which option works best for face protection.
Can you wear a face shield instead of a mask to protect yourself against contaminants, viruses, chemicals and other potentially harmful airborne substances? The answer primarily depends on your applications and appropriate uses for the situation. Face shield protection, surgical masks or face shield with mask options are all available for users, but each works best in different applications. Read on to explore face shield vs. face mask options and find the ideal choice for your work site.
A plastic face shield covers the entire front and sides of your face to protect it from direct-splash contact. It is ideal for guarding against airborne contaminants, liquid chemicals, respiratory droplets and other hazardous chemicals. It will not interfere with your vision or hearing, making it convenient for many types of applications.
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Most face shields fasten with elastic, adjustable headbands for a comfortable and secure fit. They have ample space between the visor and the face to keep you comfortable and provide room for glasses, goggles or face masks underneath.
There are two primary types of face shields for specific uses.
Shatterproof and transparent, these face shields are lightweight but provide full-face coverage for the user. The medical-grade face shield protection is ideal for hospitals, healthcare facilities and public environments where airborne pathogens may be present. Many come with a hinged design, so you can flip them up or down for convenient use.
Direct-splash face shields can protect from airborne contaminants in public spaces, chemicals in laboratory settings and other similar situations. They are usually available with an anti-fog coating to provide complete visibility during continuous wear. They can also rotate 180 degrees if you need to remove them momentarily.
A face mask is a barrier face covering that prevents you from inhaling or exhaling respiratory droplets and other airborne contaminants through your mouth or nose. These coverings can come in several different materials and thicknesses, depending on their applications. Some are for general use, while others are appropriate for medical-grade protection, even though masks are not medical devices.
In many medical applications, this type of mask is common. To avoid breathing in germs and allergens, you can also use surgical masks for safety in public places during cold, flu and allergy seasons.
Dental, isolation, surgical operations and other medical procedures regularly implement surgical masks to prevent the spread of sprays, splashes and large-particle droplets that could contain viruses or bacteria. These masks can also help prevent the wearer&#;s exposure to airborne contaminants and bacteria in the environment.
Made from nonwoven fabrics through a melt-blowing process, these masks fall under 21 CFR 878. regulatory standards from the CDC. While they can provide adequate protection in some cases, their loose fit means that they cannot fully protect the wearer from respiratory droplets and other airborne hazards.
As a multipurpose face mask, the N95 respirator provides optimal protection because of its close fit and highly effective filtration of airborne particles. Also known as professional respirators, these masks can minimize the wearer&#;s exposure to airborne droplets containing bacteria or viruses.
N95 respirators are ideal in healthcare settings, where a tight seal of protection against airborne particles is vital for workers&#; daily safety.
Because they come from many different manufacturers and do not have to meet any regulations, general cloth face masks vary widely in quality and protection. Depending on their design, they may not fully filter air or serve as an adequate barrier, and are not medical devices. They are appropriate for public use, but it&#;s essential to consult CDC recommendations to find the safest option.
In many industries, face shields protect workers in areas where debris, chemicals and contaminants might be flying through the air. Eye protection from debris and sensitive facial skin protection from airborne particles are vital for many applications, and face shields can meet safety standards for the work site.
Face shields may be part of a workplace injury prevention program, helping protect the face from impact hazards. OSHA does not classify face shields as adequate protection from flying hazards by themselves, but they can be highly effective coupled with other protective gear such as safety glasses. These double layers of protection can guard your eyes against impact from objects that could get underneath your face shield or hit it with excessive force.
If workers use chemicals or other hazardous materials, face shields can also help provide adequate protection from these risks.
Face shields in laboratories can help protect your face from heat burns, caustic chemicals and other hazards that may be present. As workers handle potentially dangerous experiments, sharp tools and other materials, a face shield can provide optimized protection for their entire face. The full coverage it offers without impeding vision is beneficial for laboratory requirements.
In the medical field, face shields can provide additional barrier protection for the facial area, preventing contaminating respiratory droplets, fluids or other hazardous materials from reaching a healthcare provider. This solution is critical to protecting users as they work with possibly contagious patients or shielding patients from potential viruses or bacteria their health provider may carry.
Widespread use across dental, surgical, orthodontal, specialty and general practitioner services helps medical professionals maintain safety for themselves and their patients.
Across various industries, face masks fulfill several critical purposes for worker protection and operational requirements. Many people use them in public life and in industry-specific settings to protect themselves from various airborne health risks.
Many different airborne pathogens can risk workers&#; safety in healthcare settings. Face masks protect wearers&#; noses and mouths, helping block dangerous contaminants and preventing workers with contagious illnesses from spreading them. To help control infection rates in high-risk settings, people can also wear face masks for protection from the community&#;s spread of illnesses.
In highly dusty environments, such as manufacturing, face mask protection can prevent workers from inhaling debris. Some manufacturing settings process wood, metal and other materials that can send high levels of dust and debris into the air around workers. Excessive dust and manufacturing byproducts can cause permanent damage to the lungs, so adequate protection is vital for workers who may be in these environments for hours every day.
Effective face masks block debris from the wearer&#;s nose and mouth, protecting them from inhaling any harmful substances into their lungs.
In laboratory settings, dangerous airborne chemical fumes, pathogens and other potentially harmful materials may be circulating throughout the air. Face masks are standard in these fields to protect workers on the job. This equipment can prevent them from inhaling liquid chemicals, debris or bacteria and viruses in the air.
When using face shields, wearers need to be aware of some of the advantages and disadvantages of the equipment. In any situation, understanding the correct applications for face fields shields is critical for effective and safe use.
For many situations, face shields offer a highly effective method of protection for wearers. Here are some of the benefits of the equipment.
At the same time, face shields provide some notable disadvantages that make them unfit for some applications.
Face masks are versatile, easy to use and convenient for many different medical and industrial requirements. They offer some distinct benefits but also have some disadvantages for certain situations. You&#;ll need to evaluate your specific requirements and environment to decide what&#;s best for your needs.
Users choose face masks for many reasons and in many different settings.
While face masks can address many needs for protection from airborne materials, some drawbacks make them inconvenient in specific circumstances. If your operations require face masks for worker safety, it&#;s essential to address these potential issues proactively.
Do you primarily need a face shield to protect from flying objects? In that case, a face mask will probably not be necessary because it can&#;t offer much additional protection from a blunt impact. However, if you require protection against smaller particles in the air, combining the two types of equipment can be highly beneficial.
Studies have shown combining a face shield with a mask can improve overall respiratory protection against airborne pathogens. Face masks and face shields each provide partial protection against pathogens, creating a barrier against harmful airborne particles.
This double protection can enhance workers&#; safety in highly hazardous conditions with these advantages.
At SUNLINE Supply, we offer trusted solutions for your operational requirements. We sell PPE in bulk to help protect workplaces across industries from the risk of health hazards. As a company, we only supply the best-quality PPE to offer maximum protection to your employees. We have 24/7 sales availability to discuss your applications, answer questions and help you find the best options. With bulk purchase options and cost-effective pricing, we can help you get the best-value PPE.
Regardless of your bulk purchasing supply needs, we&#;re here to fulfill them. We prioritize fast and effective shipping to supply your organization as quickly as possible. Our quick turnaround times and quality services help make your supply process convenient and fast.
Work with us to get trusted face masks and equipment, including shields and goggles, for your applications. For more information, contact us online or call us at 866-607-.
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