The core differences between surgical masks and ordinary masks are reflected in three aspects，material structure, protective performance and applicable scenarios.
Surgical masks are usually composed of three layers of non-woven materials. The outer layer is a waterproof non-woven fabric that can block droplets and liquid splashes; the middle layer is a melt-blown fabric that efficiently filters bacteria and tiny particles through the principle of electrostatic adsorption; the inner layer is a skin-friendly moisture-absorbing layer to ensure wearing comfort. Ordinary masks mostly use a single-layer or double-layer fabric structure, mainly filtering large particles of dust or pollen, and lack a directional protection design.
In terms of protective performance, surgical masks must pass the medical device certification standards, such as meeting the requirements of YY/T 0969 or GB 19083, bacterial filtration efficiency (BFE) ≥ 95%, and some surgical masks can also reach 30mmHg anti-blood penetration test, while ordinary masks are not required to meet the medical protection level.
There is a significant difference between production standards and usage scenarios. surgical masks must be produced in a sterile workshop and must be sterilized with ethylene oxide. They must be sealed and stored. They belong to the category II medical device management. Ordinary masks are daily necessities. They do not require sterilization during production and mainly meet basic dust and cold protection needs.
In actual use, surgical masks are suitable for environments with pathogen exposure risks such as hospitals and laboratories, or for protection in public places during the peak period of epidemics, while ordinary masks are more suitable for blocking non-biological particles such as pollen and dust, such as spring allergy sufferers or daily riding dust protection.
In terms of wearing time and protection timeliness, surgical masks are usually recommended to be used continuously for no more than 4-6 hours due to the high density of the material, and they must be replaced immediately in case of liquid contamination. Ordinary masks are more breathable, so although they can be worn for a longer time, their protective effectiveness decays rapidly as the fiber structure relaxes.
In addition, surgical masks are often equipped with a plastic metal strip at the bridge of the nose to ensure a close fit with the face, while ordinary masks are often fixed only by ear straps, and the sealing is relatively insufficient. This structural difference directly affects the actual protective effect. Especially in environments with higher risks of aerosol transmission, the comprehensive protective advantages of medical masks are more significant.