N100 is an American safety standard (NIOSH) and the equivalent of the UK safety standard FFP3 Face mask. Honeywell 5000 Speciality Series Dust Masks – With a large internal breathing cavity to reduce heat and moisture build up and allow for communication, these masks are rated FFP1 or FFP2 protection level and also have an AV rating against acid vapour.

The Valmy SPIREOR series brings you an unparalleled FFP3 face mask with a next-gen filtration mechanism. The National Deaf Children’s Society in the UK has put together a list of tutorials showing you how to make your own. The Plan B guidance for the UK, including the wearing of face coverings in schools, seems unlikely to change before January 26–when the regulations are set to expire.FFP2 face masks differ from cloth masks in that they have to adhere to certain standards – including the amount and size of particles they can successfully filter, composed of at least three layers of synthetic non-woven materials, use of different layer thicknesses and filtration layers.

This is despite overwhelming evidence that standard surgical masks are not highly protective against infection. The World Health Organization greatly emphasizes wearing FFP masks as masks help in effective interruption of airborne infections. The masks, which are commonly used by medics, are classified for single shift use – marked NR (not reusable) or R, re-usable (more than one shift).

This is the only protective grade that will protect to an adequate level against a virus with the filter media able to filter down to circa 0. You can learn more about which mask is more suitable for you in our handy blog post: What's the difference between FFP1, FFP2, and FFP3 face masks? The WHO guidance recommends FFP2 or FFP3 masks during outbreaks of infections such as SARS, Avian Flu and Coronavirus. Any face covering is better than nothing, but in the UK the government hasn’t informed people about the most effective protection, or ensured that they have access to it. Uniqlo's sell-out mask launched in Japan back in June, then hit the US end August – but the UK had to wait until October.