Anti-smog masks and Chad detectors under the magnifying glass of the OCCP. Many of them do not work
The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection has checked the filtering masks and Chad detectors available on the market. According to the office’s analysis, one in two anti-smog masks lets dust through and one in three chad detectors does not work properly.
With the onset of winter, smog is getting bigger and more troublesome. Contributing to this m.in. heating season. Not only that about 50,000 deaths a year in Poland due to smog. people, it is the heating season, or more precisely, leaky chimney installations, that take a deadly toll in the form of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Office of Competition and Consumer Protection in (OCCP) published the results of an inspection of the so-called “decorin”. p filtering masks and a sensor in chad. By design, they are meant to protect our health and lives, but many of the products In commercially available ones, it does not perform its function.
On frosty days, a toxic cloud of polluted air forms in many Polish cities – smog. It causes us to inhale chemical compounds (e.g. benzopyrenes) and particulate matter (PM10 and PM 2.5), which re are harmful to our health, m.in. may cause allergies, lung diseases and even cancer. To address this phenomenon more and more wasps b buys anti-smog masks. However, as it turns out after a Commercial Inspection study commissioned by the OCCP, many of the masks available on the market do not do their job.
PM 10 dust contains particles with a diameter of 10 micrometers In and can reach g rnych dr g respiratory and lung. PM 2.5 particle is smaller than one-thirtieth of a human hair. Such particles penetrate the walls of the bubble in the lungs into the bloodstream, and from there they can reach the with the blood of different parts of the body.
At the request of the OCCP, 10 models of filter masks were checked. Five of them were challenged. „Two models of p The respirators had negative test results for total internal leakage, and one of the – Also a bad result of the paraffin oil mist penetration test. This means that they do not have adequate protective properties and let the harmful dust present in the air through” – we read on the OCCP website.
The President of the OCCP has initiated administrative proceedings against one of these dw ch p The mask, which does not meet the requirements of the. In the case of the second, the entrepreneur appealed to the OCCP against the decision of the Trade Inspection, prohibiting the sale of the questioned product. Three other models of masks were questioned due to lack of in formal, mostly faulty in the instructions for handling.
The results of the inspection of the sensor in order to detect carbon monoxide also leave much to be desired. Carbon monoxide poisoning kills thousands of people worldwide b per year. Chad, as this chemical compound is commonly called, is colorless and odorless, and highly poisonous. It is very dangerous because humans are unable to sense it without the use of technology. It is formed as a result of incomplete combustion of fuels, such as wood or gas.
It enters the body through the respiratory system, where it binds to hemoglobin, causing inhibition of oxygen transport through the blood. As a result of the process, there is damage to numerous organs in internal. Unfortunately, but the aftermath of poisoning is often death.
Chad poisoning occurs primarily in winter due to leaking ducts in chimneys. „According to data from the Headquarters According to the National Fire Service, in the previous heating season (from October 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017.) carbon monoxide killed 61 people b, and including (as of October 1, 2017. by January 28, 2018.) – there are already 41 fatalities” – we read on the OCCP website.
During the inspection, 104 detector models were examined in carbon monoxide. 41 of them were questioned. The abnormalities were related to gł nie labeling and instructions for use. „21 sensor models The devices have been tested in specialized laboratories. Specialists checked whether at a specific concentration of CO (30 ppm, 50 ppm, 100 ppm, 300 ppm) the alarm activates in a timely manner. For example, at a concentration of 300 ppm it should turn on before three minutes have passed, and at a concentration of 100 ppm the – between 10. a 40. minute. In seven detectors, the alarm did not work as it should – (or did not turn on in the og le, or it occurred too p too early or too late” – we read further.
The inspection resulted in five administrative proceedings. The OCCP is considering initiating another four. Defective sensors have been withdrawn from the store. Information about dw ch detectors, against which rities that have already completed proceedings have been entered into the RAPEX database, in which the rej EU countries warn about dangerous products. – Laboratory tests have shown that not all masks or sensors protect us well – admitted Marek Niechciał, president of the OCCP. In doing so, he noted that the OCCP intends to continue monitoring the market p HE MESSAGE AND SENSOR .
OCCP advises
P Filtering respirators are made of filtering material and protect not only from smog, but also from construction dusts. They can be used by walkers, home renovators or construction workers. P Filtering respirators, often called dust masks, should cover the nose, mouth and chin, in addition, they may have a valve to protect the nose, mouth and chin inhalation and/or exhalation.
When purchasing a mask zwr pay attention primarily to skr ty, kt re shown on the mask or its packaging:
CE – means that the manufacturer has carried out a conformity assessment procedure and declares that the product meets all technical and legal requirements. Do not buy a mask without such labeling;
FFP1, FFP2, FFP3 – indicates the protection class of the filter: the weakest is 1, the highest – 3;
NR – p disposable respirator. Do not put it on again and do not wear it for more than 8 hours (it is designed for work for one work shift);
R – p reusable respirator;
D – means that p The respirator passed the test for dolomite dust clogging. Choose a product with this mark if you plan to work in a dusty room for a long period of time, e.g. during home renovation.
You should also pay attention to the instructions for use The user should also pay attention to the instructions for use, and if the product is reusable, also to the ways of maintenance. In order for the mask to perform its function, it must fit perfectly and adhere tightly to the face.
Carbon monoxide detectors are devices for home use, kt They will alert us if there is a threat of carbon monoxide in the room. When purchasing a sensor zwr mend for:
Sensor type. Type A – emits a visual and audible alarm, and can trigger ventilation. Type B – only emits a visual and audible alarm.
Type of power supply. Chad detectors can be battery-operated or powered from the home electrical grid. If you often have power failures, choose a battery-powered sensor.
Standard. The sensor should be labeled with the name of the PN-EN 50291-1:2010/A1:2013-05 standard. The entrepreneur certifies in this way b that it has tested the sensor against safety requirements.
Instructions for use. It must be written in Polish and contain complete, unambiguous and accurate information on installation, proper operation and regular checking of the device. You will also learn from it what to do in case of an alarm and how to recognize a possible sensor failure.
Remember
A detector is no substitute for proper installation and maintenance of a stove. Periodic inspection, maintenance and repair of the conductors are also necessary in chimneys.
Do not plug the orifice in ventilation ducts, nor seal windows in rooms in which the The mask must fit perfectly and fit tightly to the face. Regularly open the windows there.
Call a professional to install the detector.
If an alarm is triggered, it is important to find and remove the source of the The reasons for the increased CO. This may be e.g. Faulty connection of the heating stove to the chimney.
About carbon monoxide escaping or chad poisoning, inform the relevant services. Call e.g. to the emergency number 112, to the fire department – 998, to the police – 997, emergency services – 999 or gas ambulance – 992.
