A guide to N95 mask and its efficacy in fighting respiratory illnesses
N95 mask is a commonly used, short-term term name for N95 filter mask, which is an essential, protective face mask that meets the United States National Institutes of Health (NIH) stringent standards for the protection of those who work in hazardous environments. Since the early 1970s, when the first N95 filters were introduced for clinical and industrial settings, they have consistently received high ratings in safety surveys as one of the best masks for protecting the wearer’s respiratory system. N95 masks feature an airtight seal with a hardcover, either over the nose or over the mouth and nose-guard sections of the mask. A rigid exterior cover prevents the entry of dust and other substances that could compromise the effectiveness of the mask. These masks are made of multiple layers of non-woven polypropylene fiber which is considered as a breathing efficient material.
The goal of any N95 mask is to provide adequate protection to the wearer. N95 are available in a wide variety of configurations, depending upon what the wearer requires them for. These advanced masks offer higher levels of protection and can even incorporate anti-microbial technology that can reduce the growth of allergen droplets on the skin surface. N95 respirators that offer improved filtration are also available, allowing for greater protection of the wearer’s lungs by using less air passageway through the filter to reach the lungs.
How these masks undergo a quality control test?
Every N95 mask must pass a quality control test conducted by both the manufacturing company and a third party, called a quality assurance agency. A quality assurance agency is an outside group that checks the N95 masks for quality and safety. One such group is the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
As an effective treatment, N95 masks meet EPA regulations and are essential protection for the public’s health. However, as with all products, these respirators should be used in accordance with safety guidelines. Using air filtering respirators with an oxygen prefilter will provide cleaner breathing air. If N95s are required, they should always be used in accordance with safe operating procedures.
In addition to passing the N95 mask fitting test, N95 filter must meet the requirements for protection set forth in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) rules for the protection of healthcare workers from workplace-related respiratory infections. These masks must be designed so that it provides protection against dust, particles, fumes, smoke, heat, and solar radiation. It must also have a properly sealed air ventilation system that provides a steady flow of air. In addition, N95 respirators must meet or exceed the EPA’s emissions standard for workplace exposure to hazardous air contamination.
Differentiate between the right mask
Although all N95 masks are designed to meet federal OSHA standards for protection, not all masks contain the same technology or design. Some masks feature a HEPA filtration facility which, while effective, does remove particles smaller than those small to see with the naked eye. These masks feature a specially designed nosepiece that is made of a material that filters out larger particles. These larger particles may not pass through the HEPA filter and become airborne, making the wearer more susceptible to respiratory infections.
What about if N95 masks work, do they make a difference? Studies on N95s point out that they can prevent the formation of fine airborne particles, but the amount of protection they provide is very minimal. Studies have shown that the average nasal contaminant doesn’t cause soreness or irritation and often doesn’t produce any pain at all. N95s are not recommended for anyone with severe allergies. N95s are only recommended for those people whose risk of exposure is not elevated and who don’t smoke or have other respiratory problems.
The benefit of using these masks
The main benefit of N95 masks is their ability to prevent the formation of microscopic allergens that can lead to serious health concerns. N95s provide high levels of protection against dust mites and microbial cysts, but because they cannot trap particles smaller than one micron, they don’t affect the microscopic respiratory particles that cause chronic airway inflammation and disease. While these microscopic particles are trapped by some N95 materials, most N95s only trap larger than one micron. In fact, if the mask wearer were to breathe in extremely clean air, even with the best filter in the world, they would still be exposed to particles of dust, even with the best N95 filter in the world.
The effectiveness of these masks in the recent Covid-19 pandemic
As we all know, the living hood has faced one of the deadliest pandemics ever. In the past year, almost every nation was hit by the Coronavirus and millions of people lost their lives worldwide. As the vaccine is on its way, the only effective tool to prevent the spread of the virus is a face mask. According to the guidelines from WHO, the uses of face masks is mandatory for people of all nations. After recent studies, the N95 mask has been proven as one of the most effective masks in filtering out virus particulates of up to 0.3 microns of size. Hence, a large number of people preferred to wear N95 masks to avoid getting contaminated by the Coronavirus.
This article is written with the aim of providing information of the most popular N95 mask as how they are standardized, their benefits, and efficacy in fighting the respiratory illnesses. If you are looking forward to buying these masks then you can simply check out your nearby local retail stores or medical supply stores. However, you can also consider buying online from brands like accumed.com as they offer genuine quality and affordable prices.
