Detectamet unveils metal detectable face masks

Detectamet FFP3 Blue Detectable Mask is designed for use in the food industry where ingredients such as flour, spices, coffee, dried egg and other additives are handled.

The company also supplies a fold flat FFP2 mask which is designed for use where less stringent FFP2 requirements apply, with the filter expecting to remove at least 94% of airborne particles.

The patent pending food production respirators offer more metal detectability, said the firm.

Filtering airborne particles​

FFP3 mask meets the FFP3 standard meaning that when correctly fitted it can protect workers in dusty areas by filtering at least 99% of airborne particles. 

It offers more metal detectability because the nose clip is detectable and all the plastic fittings are made from metal detectable plastic including the valve mount, and the bonded strap mountings.

The fabric of the mask is made from a blue material because there are not many blue foods, explained Derrick Blunden, marketing at Detectamet.

“The mask is based on a general design to reduce the level of dust people breathe in. It has the highest possible level of detectability in case bits get into the food,” ​he told FoodQualityNews.com.

“Wearing a mask in dusty areas reduces problems in terms of what is called, occupational asthma, it is dust in areas such as milling, flour handling packing coffee, dried herbs and spices, it is not the product that is the danger but the dust in the environment can irritate the lungs.​

“Firms are more health and safety conscious and the need for detectable products has grown in the food industry, where more people want everything possible to be detectable.”​

Blunden revealed the mask had been taken up by two bakeries in the past week.

Mask fitting​

The wide straps are fully adjustable to ensure an effective fitting of the mask without making it uncomfortable to wear throughout the working shift, said the firm.

The detectable bonded strap fittings avoid all the disadvantages of metal staples and the shaped fitting reduces the inconvenience of misting when wearing spectacles or goggles.

Both of the disposable masks have been inspected and tested to ensure they fulfil the standards in USA, in Australia and New Zealand and the European Union.