In view of the enquiries from consumers with regard to the use of activated carbon facemasks received today (April 16), the Consumer Council wishes to offer the following additional information:
First and foremost, in accordance with medical opinion, the use of 3-ply surgical facemasks is generally recommended for protection against droplets containing atypical pneumonia virus, with the outer layer water repellent, the filter in the middle and the innermost layer water absorbent.
Second, the use and purpose of activated carbon is to filter out dust and odour. It does not and cannot filter out droplets carrying the atypical pneumonia virus. Facemasks only with activated carbon, not designed for surgical purpose, are therefore unsuitable for use in the effective protection against droplets carrying this virus.
Third, in theory, the addition of activated carbon to surgical facemasks, however, will not affect the protection that a standard surgical facemask can achieve in filtering out the virus.
Fourth, in accordance with medical opinion, besides surgical facemasks there are available on the market other types of facemasks such as N95, which can also effectively filter out droplets carrying the atypical pneumonia virus.
Issued by
Consumer Council
April 16 2003