When the contaminant concentration reaches four times the occupational exposure limit (OEL), FFP1 masks must be worn. FFP1 masks can filter up to 80 percent of all contaminants that are fundamentally non-toxic and are water or oil-based.
These masks protect against non-toxic dust particles, for example, such as those from pulp, cement, plaster, chalk or pollen.

Reliable protection for:
cleaning (house dust), agriculture (hay, grain, flour and much more);
sanding, planing, cutting and drilling into concrete, masonry, iron, rust;
cleaning tasks that produce dust

FFP2 masks can be used in environments where the contaminant concentration reaches up to ten times the occupational exposure limit. They filter up to 94 percent of toxic water and oil-based contaminants. Masks with this rating also offer protection against toxic dust particles, such as those from calcium oxide, concrete, granite or zinc oxide fumes.

Reliable protection for:
sanding, cutting and drilling into cement,
wood, steel, paint, lacquers, rust and plastic;
welding construction steel and zinc;
handling mould and bacteria in risk group 2

With FFP3 masks, the contaminant concentration must not exceed thirty times the occupational exposure limit. FFP3 masks filter up to 99 percent of all water and oil-based contaminants, which are harmful to health, carcinogenic or radioactive. They protect against toxic dust, for example, from chrome, cobalt, nickel or mould spores.

Reliable protection for:
sanding, cutting and drilling into high-alloy steel;
welding stainless steel or thorium electrodes;
working with asbestos, diesel exhaust particulates/fumes;
handling viruses and bacteria in risk group 3

Unfortunately it is not possible to process the FFP masks from Dräger for reuse.

All FFP masks contain electrostatic filter materials. The charge of these materials is destroyed by heat, radioactive radiation, UV radiation and the like, causing the mask to lose most of its filtration properties. Disinfectants like isopropyl, ethanol and other cleaning agents also destroy the charge of the filter material.

Since all of the aforementioned approaches permanently damage the filter material, Dräger is not working on developing a reprocessing method. In this respect, observe the information provided in the instructions for use for the product in question.

As the manufacturer, Dräger advises against using its FFP masks and respiratory filters if they are expired. It is impossible to make any statements across the board as to how effective they actually still are. For example, an expired FFP3 mask may no longer provide the effective protection required by an FFP3 rating. The reason for this is that electrostatic properties of the filter material degrades as the years progress. Only testing in an approved lab with the appropriate equipment can deliver information based on the EN 149 standard, which can then be checked and measured against the current performance of the mask.

One FFP is good to wear for no more than eight hours, i.e. one shift. If there is an infective agent like a virus in the environment, the FFP must be disposed of as soon as it is taken off. This information is also provided in the instructions for use for the product. Also note the stipulations of DGUV Rule 112-190 of the German Social Accident Insurance. One of the reasons for this is the way the mask is put on and removed. When putting it on again, it is impossible to ensure that the potentially contaminated exterior of the mask has not come into contact with the interior of the mask or even directly with the face of the user. Moreover, it is not clear in this process what has happened to the mask in the meantime: after being removed the first time, where and how was it kept? Did any other person potentially come into contact with the mask?

A surgical mask is designed to prevent liquid aerosols from coming into contact with the nose and mouth of the wearer, and to protect others from droplets breathed out by the wearer. A respiratory protection mask (breathing mask) protects the wearer from breathing in fine particles and droplets in the air.

It may be beneficial for a layperson to wear a surgical mask in order to protect others, if the wearer is at risk of spreading infectious agents.

The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) recommends using FFP2 or FFP3 masks as personal protective equipment when treating and caring for patients infected with the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19).

The rules and regulations of the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) advise wearing FFP3 respiratory protection when working with airborne biological agents in risk group 3, based on normal workplace situations.