Australian Owned & Made - Analytical Laboratories and Technical Services Australia (ALTSA) is an Australian owned and operated company located in the Sunraysia or Mildura region of North West Victoria. Established in 2018 the company has as its base the former CSIRO Research centre in Merbein.
ALTSA initially focussed only on analytical laboratory services but we have decided to further build upon our success by now branching out into other technical areas and more specifically, the health industry.
The Covid-19 pandemic has only served to highlight Australia’s extreme vulnerability when it comes to having adequate supplies of medical PPE. The manufacture of individually wrapped, sterile premium-grade face masks for medical facilities and general consumers use is, therefore, a very natural first step for us to take in playing our part in protecting our country and our people during this pandemic and the pandemics yet to come.
Individually wrapped, ALTSA’s face masks are designed and manufactured at our own state-of-the-art facility on site. The manufacturing process itself utilises automated equipment specially designed to prevent contamination. Overseeing this process are highly qualified engineers who ensure the production line achieves and maintains hygienic conditions whilst also achieving maximum efficiency in generating an output of 2-3 million masks per year.
Each mask is produced using specially selected high-quality materials which have been certified by international laboratories and all masks are compliant with Australian Standard AS 4381:2015- Single-use face masks for use in health care.
Each mask is individually wrapped to ensure the integrity of its hygienic condition. Compare this with other masks on the market which are packed in bulk containers such that as soon as the packaging is opened to remove one mask, all the remaining masks are exposed to the environment. The remaining masks in the pack are consequently compromised hygienically, which effectively defeats the purpose of buying hygienic or sterile masks.
ALTSA’s masks are tested to ensure compliance with AS 4381:2015 criteria:
Each and every batch of masks released from our factory is first checked for compliance by our quality control department to guarantee a quality product for our customers.
It is critical for effective protection of the wearer that the user positions and fits masks correctly so as to ensure the user covers both their mouth and nose adequately. Directions are provided via instructions and illustrations on the outer panels of the packaging boxes.
The ASTM (American Society of Testing and Materials) classifies masks based on the level of protection as Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 barrier.
| Level 1 barrier | Level 2 barrier | Level 3 barrier |
| Medical face mask materials are evaluated for resistance to penetration by synthetic blood at minimum velocity | Medical face mask materials are evaluated for resistance to penetration by synthetic blood at the middle velocity | Medical face mask materials are evaluated for resistance to penetration by syntheic blood at the maximum testing velocity |
| Applications: For general purpose medical procedures where the wearer is not at risk of blood or body fluid splash or to protect staff and/or the patient from droplet exposure to microorganisms (e.g. patient with upper respiratory tract infection visits a General Practitioner | Applications: For use in emergency departments, dentistry, changing dressings on small wounds or healing wounds where minimal blood droplet exposure may possibly occur (e.g. endoscopy procedures) | Applications: For all surgical procedures, major trauma first aid or in any area where the health care worker is at rock of blood or body fluid splash (e.g. orthopedic, cardiovascular procedures) |
These masks are used for surgical procedures, major trauma first aid or in any area where the health carer/worker is at risk of blood or body fluid splash (e.g. orthopedic, cardiovascular procedures).
These masks are certified as Level 3 barrier and they have the following characteristics as per international standards.
| Characteristics | Level 3 barrier |
| Bacterial filtration efficiency (BFE), % - ASTM F2101/EN 14683 | ≥ 98% |
| Differential pressure (Δ P), mm H2O/cm2 - EN 14683 | < 6.0 |
| Resistance to penetration by synthetic blood, minimum pressure in mm Hg for pass result - ASTM F1862 | 160 mmHg |
| Flame spread-16 CFR part 1610 | Class 1 |
| Microbial Cleanliness (EN ISO 11737-1) |
These masks are used for general purpose medical procedures, where the wearer is not at risk of blood or body fluid splash OR to protect staff and/or the patient from droplet exposure to microorganisms (e.g. patient with upper respiratory tract infection visiting a General Practitioner).
These masks are certified as Level 1 barrier and have the following characteristics as per international standards.
| Characteristics | Level 3 barrier |
| Bacterial filtration efficiency (BFE), % - ASTM F2101/EN 14683 | ≥ 95% |
| Differential pressure (Δ P), mm H2O/cm2 - EN 14683 | < 5.0 |
| Resistance to penetration by synthetic blood, minimum pressure in mm Hg for pass result - ASTM F1862 | 80 mmHg |
| Flame spread-16 CFR part 1610 | Class 1 |
| Microbial Cleanliness (EN ISO 11737-1) |
These UV sanitized masks are used for purposes. For your workplace, these masks can be used as personal protective equipment (PPE).
Our Respiratory Protective Filtering Mask N95 fulfil test requirements and standards under Test standard EN 149:2001 +A1:2009 for use as a Respiratory Protective Filter Mask.
Our masks are tested via the following test methods
| Test | Result |
| Penetration of filter material – Sodium Chloride Test | 95L /min: max 6% |
| Penetration of filter material – Paraffin Oil Test | 95L /min: max 6% |
| Practical performance (FFP2) | Test standard EN 149:2001 +A1:2009 |
| Breathing resistance | Inhale 95L/min:2.4, Exhale: 160L/min: 3.0 |
| Flammability | Test standard EN 149:2001 +A1:2009 |
| Compatibility with skin | Test standard EN 149:2001 +A1:2009 |
| Total inward leakage (FFP2) | Test standard EN 149:2001 +A1:2009 |
