Over the last few months, you've probably been hearing a lot about N95 masks, and masks in general. The coronavirus has put a spotlight on these lifesaving masks and due to their scarcity, you've probably seen a lot of ads for different types of masks. But which type of mask is right for you, and do you even need one?

Are All Masks Respirators?

A respirator is designed to create a seal around the mouth and nose that filters out most particles and doesn't allow particles to leak through. There are different levels of filtration as well. N95 masks filter out at least 95% of airborne particles including large and small particles while an N99 mask filters out at least 99% of airborne particles. There is also the N100 mask, which removes at least 99.97% of all particles that are 0.3 microns in diameter or larger which is an HE or HEPA quality filter.

What about surgical masks and cloth masks? Surgical masks and cloth masks are not considered respirators because they do not form a seal around the mouth and nose, and they also are not rated in their ability to filter out airborne particles. But they are effective at preventing fluids and large particles from reaching you that can be caused by talking, sneezing, coughing, etc.

N95, P95, R95 and KN95. What Do They Mean, And Is There A Difference Between Them?

The most common mask you've been hearing about is N95, but you also may have heard of P95, R95, and even KN95. The N in N95 stands for Not Oil Resistant. This means that N95 masks are not rated for particles that contain oil. R95 respirators are rated for environments that contain oily particles and are somewhat resistant to oil. P95 masks are rated for environments that contain a lot of oily particles and are highly resistant to oil. KN95 masks Chinese made masks that are certified under Chinese, not US standards. Recently, the FDA reversed its decision and is now authorizing the use of KN95 masks by healthcare workers. Click Here for a more in depth comparison of N95 and KN95 Respirators.

Which Mask Is Right For Me, And Do I Need One?

As of today, the CDC does not recommend the use of N95 masks by the general public. Due to their effectiveness at filtering out airborne particles and their scarcity, N95 masks should be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders. The CDC recommends that members of the public use simple cloth face coverings when in a public setting to slow the spread of the virus, since this will help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others.

The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, the CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions, such as hand washing and maintaining at least 6 feet of social distancing, to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases.

Common Questions

How Effective Are N95 Masks Against The Flu?

The flu virus is .17 microns in size, which is smaller than even N100 masks can filter out. Despite this, it is important to understand that the flu virus does not float in the air by itself. The virus is transported from person to person on droplets of fluid from sneezing and coughing and even talking. These particles are typically 5 microns or larger. When a sick patient wears a respirator, the respirator can be very effective at preventing infectious material from leaving the patients body, and when worn by healthy individuals, it prevents inhalation of said material. Also, wearing a mask is an excellent way of preventing the user from rubbing or touching their mouth or nose, which is a very high risk factor.

How Long Do N95 Masks Last?

For the most part, dust masks and filters should be thrown out after each "encounter" or "procedure". The risk of contamination can also be heightened by removing and applying the mask multiple times. In general, once removed, the Dust Mask should be disposed of. Also, proper hand hygiene should be observed when touching a potentially contaminated mask. Attention should also be given to cross-contamination when wearing masks into different rooms or areas. Regardless of usage, masks should be discarded when used beyond 8 hours, and careful review and testing should be performed in regards to hazardous chemicals/particles.