The Hong Kong Gov
Hospitals in Hong Kong
Singapore
World Health Organisation
Centre for Disease Control
Occupational Health
and Safety
Download the SARS booklet pdf
The N95 made by 3M ( approx
USD$245 for 120 ).
NIOSH-approved ( National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health ) and is also recommended by the World Health Organisation as a
preventative measure for hospital staff against the spread of SARS.
It also meets the CDC standards for TB exposure control
and is designed specifically
for use in a health care environment.
- The smallest known weaponized anthrax spore begins at
one full micron.
- The N95 has been tested to keep out water-borne
particulate matter to a level larger than .4 - .7 microns.
- The known corona virus types are between .08 and .12
microns (80 to 120 nanometers).
- The other virus type that has been implicated (paramyxo
virus) is larger in size
- measuring .15 to .3 microns.
- This other group also includes mumps and measles. .
- Ultimately masks or filter systems will not keep out
virus particles.
Having said that the water droplets that the
virus'travels on (when you breath, sneeze, cough) are sufficiently large enough
to be caught in most medical masks as that is what they are designed to do.
The virus' doesn't travel on its own and doesn't last
very long on surfaces because they dry out and lose viability.
A mask has added benefit of making it difficult to
touch your mouth or nose which can and will limit the chance of infection.
Another precautionary measure on top of all the government recommendations would be to consider as I put operation here, install
outside your back door a plastic tray with a ribbed plastic insert with a small
amount of diluted bleach, by dipping your shoes after a trip to Central you can
avoid bringing contaminants into the house / workplace, I think most of us have
kids...
Make sure your trousers are not to long !!
Hope this helps".
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