What You Need to Know About N95 Masks?

What You Need to Know About N95 Masks
What You Need to Know About N95 Masks

Masks have become the most mandated accessory ever since the pandemic struck the world, although it was once confined to some particular occupations. The demand for these respiratory safety products in every means, has sky-rocketed.

The situation is continuing to change on an almost daily basis and has gotten various governments worried about the situation arising that will report a possible shortage of N95 masks. Have you ever questioned yourself about the specialty of these N95 masks? How should you use them in order to make the most of their advantage? Can you reuse them? Find all your answers by logging on to AccuMed. You can also talk to the experts there, who will answer all your queries and doubts. Also, make sure that you peruse through the range of masks available there. 

The new normal nowadays is all about the compulsory use of face masks, mandating social distancing, making sure you work on having a better immunity, emphasis on a reduced usage of public transport, more home-cooked meals and more.

Let’s Answer a Highly Debatable Question – Which Face mask   Works the Best 

Face masks with Respirators:

Fit-and seal-tested respirators are made of tangled fibers that can efficiently filter out the existing pathogens in the air. These respirators are mandated to comply with the stringent filtration requirements set by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

  1. Many research studies have concluded that the diameter of the corona virus has been calculated to be 125 nanometres. With this in mind, you must have the following information:

2. Certified N95 masks are capable of removing 95% of the particles that are 100 to 300 nm in size.The designation N95 stands for “no oil resistance.

3. N99 Respirators are capable of filtering 99 percent of these particles.

4. 99.7% of these particles can be filtered by N100 Respirators.

Do note that the N95 respirators come with valves that allow the exhaled air to pass through easily, in return making it easier for the user to breathe. It also comes with a disadvantage, considering the other people around you might also be wearing the same mask. In this case, you will be exposed to the particles and viruses that have been exhaled by them.

Features of N95 Mask 

N95 Mask

Every N95 mask has a fine synthetic polymer mesh filter responsible for the task of filtering out 95 percent or fewer of the airborne particles, including splashes that may have inclusion of the bacteria and virus. The oxygen molecules in this mask tend to move through freely, enabling you to breathe clearly.

How many times can you make use of your N95 mask?

N95 masks are generally meant for a one-time-use. However, the Public Health Knowledge and Reference Center (INSPQ) states that “in the sense of the COVID-19 pandemic and the actual or feared lack of breathing equipment, it is possible to reuse the N95 mask but only if it is intended for the exclusive use of a health care worker.” 

Can you Reuse this Mask?

The INSPQ recommends that the number of times you use an N95 Mask should be limited to five.

You may opt to store the mask in a clean, air-permeable jar, such as a paper bag in case you plan on reusing it. Make sure you wear a pair of clean gloves when using this mask. Keep up the hygiene of your hands and wash them immediately in case of an unwanted or accidental touch.

Let us help you judge better when the question is about choosing the perfect mask for yourself and your family.

 Surgical Masks:

There are different types of surgical masks available all across the world. Usually, these are disposable, single-use masks that are cut into a rectangular shape with pleats that extend to cover your nose, mouth, and jaw. You will not face issues in breathing normally and comfortable as they are made of breathable synthetic fabric.

Surgical face masks have no mandated rule that states that they have to meet the NIOSH filtration requirements, unlike the respirators. They need not form an airtight seal against the region of your face they’re covering.

Till date, many reports have stated the capability of surgical masks filtering the pathogens but not many reports have given a similar conclusion. They state that a surgical mask can filter pathogens widely, varying from 10-90 percent.  

Cloth Masks:

They are considered to be least effective in shielding you since most of the cloth masks have holes near the nose, lips, and jaws where tiny droplets can be inhaled. This leak percentage is highly minimal in an N95 mask. Also, the fabric is always moisture absorbent and can’t keep tiny droplets out of it.

 While cloth masks appear to be less effective than their medical equivalent, experimental results indicate that they yield much better results if designed and worn properly by people instead of opting to wear absolutely no mask at all. The saying “Something is better than nothing” holds good here as well. 

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention, also known as CDC, strongly opines that Surgical masks, N95, KN95 and others are essential supplies that are primarily needed by health workers and hence, they must be reserved for them rather than being made use of by the general population.

 The N95 masks that you will notice being worn by the professionals from the medical stream are actually Respirators and not just a regular mask. They shape a tight seal over the nose and mouth in order to filter out all the particles in contact with the air. They are not meant to be worn for long durations at all and should be avoided to be re-used. 

KN95 Masks:

Crafted to be folded flat when not in use, these masks pledge hygiene and can be conveniently stored for travel purposes. The KN95 Masks are thicker than the standard surgical mask and fit perfectly around the nose and cheeks. Most of them are made to be disposable, while the new ones can be washed and reused. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has confirmed that the breather in the KN95 Mask is good to go as long as its filler material is not physically damaged or soiled. 

These masks are designed in such a way that they are partially separated from your mouth because of their 3D form, which is the basis of your facial ergonomics. This ensures that the mask fits tightly while improving the promising capacity to breathe. You won’t face long-term contact problems when wearing this mask because it’s incredibly easy to wear it for long hours.

Bring a handy medical to-go package that includes: pain relievers, throat lozenges, aspirin or ibuprofen, tweezers (for removing splinters or debris), activated charcoal tablets, adhesive bandages, instant cold compress, gauze and tape, moleskin (for blisters), scissors, and antiseptic wipes. Carry it in a ziplock bag that you can take wherever you’re going.

Double-check the mask before re-using it and discard it immediately if it is bent, torn, contaminated or when inspected for a leak it does not pass. Nobody understands the functioning and usage of an N95 Mask and hence you must obey their advice regarding requirements for the use, reuse and disposal of masks. 

It is always important to preserve the hygiene and efficiency of any kind of Respirable Mask that you have. If you use disposable masks like an N95 mask, it is necessary to distinguish them from masks that cannot be discarded and give them to Biohazard Waste. If you are planning on using your N95 mask that you bought in sale from Houston, make sure to clean it well before and after every single use.

Don’t forget to swap these masks after wearing them for extended periods of time. The prolonged period of use can cause them to wear out and eventually become ineffective against the virus. All the employees at Hospitals and Medical Centers generally tend to order N95 masks in bulk. They stop using the mask beyond the duration of 12-15 hours on a regular basis. Users should discard their masks as soon as they note that the N95 respirator is contaminated with blood, nasal secretions or some kind of body fluid.

 Once the Pandemic is under control, instead of these N95 masks for sale, you should still continue using regular face masks or surgical masks for the many benefits they offer, such as protection against pollen, smoke, dust and bacteria. Try to wear your mask every day and say goodbye to your dust allergies.

Owing to shortages, the CDC also does not recommend surgical masks to the general public. These masks do not seal against the face but have non-woven polypropylene layers that are highly resistant to any amount of moisture around. In a surgical mask, about 70 percent of the outside air flows through the mask and around 30 percent passes around the edges, which is exactly why they are not as effective as the N95 masks

N95 Mask

 You and your family must follow the following face mask precautions:

  1.  Don’t make an individual wear a mask if he/she is asthmatic or consistently complains of breathing issues or someone who is medically unconscious and will fail to remove the mask without assistance.
  2. Do not make your child who is lesser than 2 years old wear a mask.
  3. You need to wear your face mask whenever you step out. Do not use it as a replacement for social distancing.

 Here we list a bunch of general N95 Respirator precautions:

  •  If you suffer from chronic respiratory, cardiac, or other medical conditions that result in difficulty of breathing, then you must consult your doctor before using the N95 Respirator because it is harder to breathe properly with an N95 Mask respirator.
  • Some of the N95 mask models come with exhalation valves that assist you in breathing easy by minimizing heat build-up. Do not use N95 exhalation valve respirators in case you want sterile conditions around you.
  • All FDA-cleared N95 respirators are branded as single-use, disposable products. If you break your breather or soil it, or if you find it difficult to breathe in it, you can remove the breather, discard it properly, and substitute it with a new one. To safely dispose of your N95 respirator, throw it in the garbage in a plastic bag. Do not forget to wash your face and hands thoroughly after throwing away the used respirator, wash your face.

Wash your hands well with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer before and after handling or changing the respirator. This automatically regulates any form of touch transmission and protects you far and away from the deadly Corona Virus.

Stay home and stay safe. While stepping outside, do not forget to wear your mask. Hospital really isn’t a good place to be at, isn’t it.