N95 Mask - Are They Safe?

1. N95 Mask - Are They Safe? instantmixconcreteltd.blogspot.com/2020/12/n95-mask-are-they-safe.html An N95 mask is a widely used, short-term, acronymic name for an N95 filter respirator, which is an air-purifying particulate respirator that meets current U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) standards for the protection of the public's health from particulates in the air. While N95 is the preferred terminology. This type of mask is one of several different types of masks designed to meet different needs and circumstances. (The term "N95" refers to the Environmental Protection Agency standard on protective respirators for occupational exposure to particulates.) N95 masks, or N95 filters, are among the most advanced and most rigorously tested in recent times. Since the purpose of a medical or dental surgical mask is to protect the wearer's respiratory passages from irritants, it may be necessary to choose a more durable material than the flexible plastic used in N95 masks. Rigid plastic is used for such purposes as oral appliances, such as a complete denture and enamel protection system. Rigid plastic is not the most appropriate choice for protecting the wearer's respiratory system from particulates in the air. Since it is more difficult to manufacture N95 masks from rigid plastic, manufacturers may use a different process to produce surgical masks. Features of an N95 mask Most N95 masks feature an airflow-reduction barrier, or RMB, at the front and sidewalls. This airflow barrier is designed to capture and filter small particles from the air before they reach the mask. A very small percentage of these small particles are able to pass through the RMB and into the breathing passage. In order to increase the effectiveness of the airflow barrier, manufacturers may incorporate secondary air leaks, or secondary airflow, between the side and front walls of the N95 mask. In this way, even when the smallest particles of dust and other irritants are caught by the airflow barrier, they are unable to enter the wearer's breathing stream. When comparing the benefits of a traditional N95 mask to a medical-grade or dental- grade N95 mask, one must also compare the overall cost of use. In addition to the higher cost of the surgical mask versus a non-surgical mask, the former also has a longer life expectancy. A dental-grade N95 mask can often be worn for up to 30 years, whereas the non-surgical type may need to be replaced after only one year. A traditional or medical-grade mask can often be more effective at keeping a patient comfortable than a less effective N95 mask. Manufacturers that meet the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issue N95 masks with the proper approval number. The N95 approval number is issued based on the guidelines set forth by OSHA. The N95 mask meets or exceeds the standards outlined in the Consumer Product Safety Commission's 1/2

2. (CPSC) regulations. If the mask does not have a valid approval number, it will be considered an unsafe product and may result in serious injury or death. For more information about purchasing or refurbishing N95 masks, including what the requirements are, please visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) website. For the best quality N95 masks check out websites like accumed.com. 2/2