Non-woven masks cannot be cleaned
Dust masks should fit snugly against the face and must be worn whenever there is dust exposure. While wearing a mask does not guarantee complete protection from illness, it significantly reduces the risk of developing respiratory diseases.
"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. The event was organized by the Municipal Safety Supervision Bureau in collaboration with various departments. Experts emphasized the importance of proper occupational disease prevention and warned that regular gauze masks are ineffective for dust protection. Specialized dust masks should never be washed with water, as this can damage their electrostatic filtering ability.
Workers without work injury insurance can report violations
Yang Guangchang, Director of the Occupational Health Division at the Municipal Work Safety Supervision Bureau, explained that many occupational diseases, such as pneumoconiosis, have long incubation periods. As a result, some workers may not show symptoms until years after exposure. Many employees in local factories, especially those working in leather, shoe production, or mining industries, are at high risk of these conditions.
Yang urged workers to be more vigilant about their health and to report any deficiencies in workplace safety measures. If a factory fails to provide proper protective equipment or purchase work injury insurance, employees can file complaints with the supervision, disease control, and social security departments.
"The mortality rate for occupational diseases is around 90%," Yang noted. He advised workers who experience unusual physical symptoms to seek medical attention at certified hospitals. Over 30 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 dust masks is essential
Experts reminded that correct usage of dust masks is a key part of preventing occupational illnesses. However, many workers still hold misconceptions about their effectiveness. In 2000, the former State Economic and Trade Commission explicitly stated that gauze masks are not suitable for dust protection. These masks do not offer adequate filtration, while specialized dust masks are made with meltblown non-woven materials—often polypropylene—that create an electrostatic charge to trap fine particles.
These masks should not be washed, as water can damage the electrostatic properties and reduce their effectiveness. In environments with high dust levels, engineering controls should be implemented first to lower dust concentration before relying on masks. Masks should always be worn tightly against the face and only removed when dust exposure has ceased.
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