Respiratory masks provide protection against less toxic, solid and liquid particles that are harmful to health up to 30 times the MAK value The maximum workplace concentration (MAK value) indicates the maximum permissible concentration of a substance as gas, vapor or suspended matter in the (breathing) Air at the workplace which is not expected to be harmful to health, even if the concentration is usually 8 hours a day. Suitable for use against harmful dusts, smoke and aerosols.

What do the terms FFP mean:

FFP1 respirators may only be used in work environments in which no toxic or fibrogenic aerosols or dusts are present. The 4-fold occupational exposure limit (AGW) of FFP1 respirators must not be exceeded. With a degree of separation of 78%, a maximum of 25% of the particles in an FFP1 respirator may pass through the mask (total leakage). FFP1 masks are mainly used in the construction industry or in the food industry.

FFP2 In work environments in which there are harmful and mutagenic substances in the air, FFP2 respirators should be used. FFP2 respirators have a degree of separation of 92%. The occupational exposure limit (OEL) may be 10 times as high as the industry standard. FFP2 protective masks protect against less toxic dust, mist and smoking.

FFP3 respirators are suitable for toxic, carcinogenic and radioactive particles. With a degree of separation of 98%, the mask retains at least 98% of the particles if the mask is properly seated. FFP3 masks are used in laboratories when dealing with viruses and bacteria or when processing wood.

Read here what the Robert Koch Institute recommends regarding coronavirus.