Dust masks cannot be washed

Non-woven masks cannot be cleaned

Dust masks should be worn tightly against the face and must be used when exposed to dust. While wearing a mask does not guarantee complete protection from illness, it significantly reduces the risk.

“Pneumoconiosis and silicosis are among the most common occupational diseases in our city,” said officials during a recent awareness campaign held at Chengdu East Railway Station. Experts from the disease control center emphasized the importance of proper occupational disease prevention and warned that regular gauze masks are not suitable for dust protection. Specialized dust masks should not be washed with water, as this can damage their filtering ability.

Workers without work injury insurance can report issues

Yang Guangchang, Director of the Occupational Health Division at the Municipal Work Safety Supervision Bureau, explained that occupational diseases like pneumoconiosis often have long incubation periods, meaning many workers may not show symptoms until later in life. Many individuals working in mines, both within and outside the province, suffer from similar conditions.

With numerous factories in the city involved in leather and shoe production, Yang urged employees to be more aware of their health and safety. If they find that protective measures are lacking or that their employer fails to provide work injury insurance, they can report the issue to relevant departments such as supervision, disease control, and social security authorities.

“The mortality rate for occupational diseases is around 90%,” Yang noted. He advised those working in high-dust or toxic environments to seek medical attention if they experience any physical discomfort. Over 30 hospitals and institutions, including the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of West China and the Provincial and Municipal Disease Control Center, are authorized to diagnose occupational diseases.

Proper use of masks is crucial, but misunderstandings still exist

City health experts reminded that using a dust mask correctly is key to preventing illness. However, many workers still have misconceptions about their usage. In 2000, the former State Economic and Trade Commission clearly stated that gauze masks are not effective for dust protection. Specialized masks should bear the manufacturer’s logo, certification level, standards, and product code.

Most dust masks on the market use meltblown non-woven materials made of polypropylene, which are electrostatically charged to trap dust particles. These masks are not designed for washing, as water can destroy their electrostatic charge and reduce effectiveness. In high-dust environments, engineering controls should be implemented to lower dust levels before using masks. Masks should always be worn snugly against the face and only removed when no longer needed.

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