Notice the corporate decision to adopt a prioritization/allocation of masks!

3M Respiratory Protection and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) Update

April 11, 2003

The demand for approved respiratory protection products continues to increase as a result of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). To address this increased demand, 3M maximized production levels by adding shifts and capacity at our facilities around the world. In response to this situation, we want to make you aware of the actions that we are taking to most effectively manage the distribution of these products at a time of unprecedented worldwide demand.

We are also working with global health agencies to ensure that appropriate respirators are sent to the most acutely affected areas. Based on discussions with health authorities worldwide, 3M has decided our first priorities are healthcare workers and families directly in contact with SARS patients. Consistent with that decision, we are prioritizing our resources accordingly.

We understand that our decision may inconvenience some consumers. We want you to understand what we are doing and why. If and when asked about this situation, please feel free to share 3M's decision and the reasons behind it.

As the situation changes, we will keep you apprised. For the latest information on SARS, please visit (www.cdc.gov) and (www.who.int).

Another article from the 3M website (the index changes frequently -- go to 3m.com, U.S. Healthcare section). A suggestion: Mask types that end in "100", e.g. N100 are the best; ending in "95" are the next best. The numerical rating is an approximation of the efficiency in percent. Masks unrated numerically are not very useful for this purpose (although if a person coughed in your face you might be glad you had something over your face!).

Respiratory Protection and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) Advisory

April 7, 2003

Summary and Comments regarding the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Updated Interim Infection Control Guidance in the Health Care and Community Setting for Patients with Suspected Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and World Health Organization (WHO) Hospital Infection Control Guidance concerning SARS.

The CDC and WHO have issued advisories containing information on personal protective equipment recommendations when caring for patients with probable SARS. Regarding respirators, the advisories state, in part:.

CDC-Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

If a suspect SARS patient is admitted to the hospital, infection control personnel should be notified immediately. Infection control measures for inpatients (http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/ hip/ISOLAT/Isolat.htm) should include:

Standard precautions (e.g., hand hygiene); in addition to routine standard precautions, health care personnel should wear eye protection for all patient contact.

Contact precautions (e.g., use of gown and gloves for contact with the patient or their environment)

Airborne precautions (e.g., an isolation room with negative pressure relative to the surrounding area and use of an N95 filtering disposable respirator for persons entering the room)

The CDC also contains links to documents specific to Tuberculosis http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/res- protection.htm. These documents are presented because of their useful information on respiratory protection.

The entire CDC advisory can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/ ncidod/sars/infectioncontrol.htm.

WHO-World Health Organization

Patient movement should be avoided as much as possible. Patients being moved should wear a surgical mask to minimize dispersal of droplets. All visitors, staff, students and volunteers should wear a N95 mask on entering the room of a patient with confirmed or suspected SARS. Surgical masks are a less effective alternative to N95 masks.

Health Care Workers (HCWs) must wear protective eyewear or face-shields during procedures where there is potential for splashing, splattering or spraying of blood or other body substances.

HCWs are advised to wear masks whenever there is a possibility of splashing or splattering of blood or other body substances, or where airborne infection may occur. Particulate filter personal respiratory protection devises capable of filtering 0.3um particles (N95) should be worn at all times when attending patients with suspected or confirmed SARS.

The entire WHO advisory can be found at: http://www.who.int/ csr/surveillance/infectioncontrol/en/.

The following table lists 3M respirators that satisfy the CDC and WHO recommendations of minimum N95 for HCWs.

RESPIRATOR

FILTER CLASS

3M PRODUCTS

Health Care Respirators N95

1860, 1860S, 1870

Other 3M Gov't Certified Half Masks N95

8110S, 8210, 8511, 9210, 07048, 07185, 8654ES, 8659ES, R8511ES

R95

8240

P95 8271, 6x00 & 750x w/2071 filters

Other Gov't Certified Half Masks N100

8233

P100

8293, 6x00 & 750x w/2091 or 7093 filters

Respirators are not a guarantee that the user will not contract SARS. The following items need to be carefully read and understood.

Respirators may help reduce exposure to airborne biological contaminants, but they don't eliminate the risk of exposure, infection, illness, or death.

For greatest effectiveness respirators need to be worn before and during the entire exposure period.

Respirators may help protect your lungs, however, some biological contaminants may be absorbed through the skin or eyes and other protective equipment may be required.

Fit of the respirator to the face is very important. If it does not fit properly, airborne contaminates will penetrate (enter underneath) the facepiece seal.

3M respirators are not designed for children. 3M respirators are designed for occupational/professional use by adults who are properly trained in their use and limitations.

The wearer must be clean-shaven to wear respirators that seal tightly to the face. Beard, stubble or long mustaches may cause large leaks into the respirator.

Training on proper use and limitations, including practice putting the respirator on and wearing it is required.

Individuals with a compromised respiratory system, such as asthma or emphysema, should consult a physician before wearing a respirator.

Each facility or individual should use the best available information to determine appropriate respiratory protection for exposures to SARS. Continue to refer to the CDC (www.cdc.gov) and WHO (www.who.int) websites for their latest recommendations.

If you have any questions please contact OH&ES Technical Service at 1-800-243-4630.

3M Occupational Health and Environmental Safety Division

SARS epidemics is a perfect opportunity to prove the suporiority of radical free market! Let governments keeps their hands off - invisible hand of the market will solve the problem. The sick can search for the best care they can afford and the desire for profit will prompt pharmaceutical companies to invent the successful drugs. Those who are poorest and least healthy will stop to be a burden for the society.