Wearing an N95 mask is an effective tool to protect yourself from the dangers of air pollution. It can also offer you protection from a wide range of pathogens including the COVID-19 coronavirus.
In this article we shall cover:
- What is the most effective type of face mask
- The N95 mask certification standard
- N95 mask for protection from COVID-19
- Surgical face masks for protection from COVID-19
- Medical experts call for the general public to wear face masks
- Proof that face masks prevent the spread of COVID-19
- N95 mask for protection from air pollution
- How to wear a face mask
- Removing and disposing a face mask
- N95 mask manufacturers
You can find a list of N95 mask suppliers at the end of this article .
Type of Face Mask for Best Protection
As air pollution has become a serious hazard around the world, wearing a face mask has become more and more popular. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has brought even more attention to the benefits of wearing face masks.
So what is the best type of face mask to wear for protection from air pollution and COVID-19?
The type of face mask preferred by the experts is called the N95 respirator.
Respirators are face masks that fit tightly, creating a facial seal. Air is filtered both when breathing in and breathing out. An N95 respirator is a face mask that has achieved N95 certification.
The N95 Certification Standard
N95 refers to a standard developed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in the US. NIOSH is part of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
A certified N95 face mask is able to filter 95% of airborne particles 0.3 μm (microns) in size. The ‘N’ stands for ‘not’, to indicate the mask has not been tested against oil particulates.
The China KN95 standard follows the same air filtration requirement as the American N95 standard.
The European Union has its own standards for respirators; EN143 and EN149. Masks with the rating of FFP2 filter out 94% of airborne particles; so similar to an N95 mask.
COVID-19 Protection With an N95 Mask
N95 masks are effective in protecting you from many viruses such as SARS-CoV-2; the official name of the COVID-19 coronavirus.
The COVID-19 virus is approximately 0.1 microns in size, so even smaller than the 0.3 microns the N95 mask is tested against for certification. The N95 mask, therefore, does not guarantee 100% protection from SARS-CoV-2.
The SARS-CoV-2 virus, however, is usually transported in larger sized respiratory droplets. Moreover, the 0.3 micron particle size is chosen for testing purposes because it is the most penetrating particle size (MPPS). Particles with smaller sizes can often be trapped at even higher rates than the 0.3 micron size with such filters. So the N95 mask is highly effective to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Surgical Face Masks
Although the N95 mask has received the most attention, it is not necessarily the only kind of face mask offering protection during the COVID-19 pandemic. As mentioned, the virus is usually transported in respiratory droplets larger than the virus itself.
The leader of the Chinese government’s high-level expert team investigating the pneumonia outbreak, Zhong Nanshan, stated that “Regular surgical masks can prevent most viruses traveling on droplets from entering respiratory systems”
Australian healthcare authorities and many others including the Singaporean healthcare authorities do not recommend the general public to wear the N95 mask during the coronavirus outbreak.
N95 masks are difficult to fit properly, and, even when fit properly, are not comfortable to wear for long periods of time. Instead, they recommend the general public use surgical masks.
Indeed, one study conducted in 2019 showed that a surgical mask was as effective in protection from respiratory viruses as the N95 mask in several medical settings in the US.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), however, still recommends N95 masks be worn by Healthcare Personnel (HCP) who come in contact with potential carriers of SARS-CoV-2.
Medical Experts Advise the General Public to Wear Face Masks
As COVID-19 began to spread rapidly in Europe, North America and other regions, more and more disease experts have begun to urge the general public to wear face masks in addition to following the World Health Organization (WHO) ‘s recommended social distancing practices.
As N95 masks are often difficult to obtain, authorities prioritize health care workers to receive them. Medical experts, therefore, advise the general public to wear other types of face coverings such as surgical masks or cloth masks.
While such face coverings don’t offer the user as much protection as the N95 mask, they are still an effective tool to control the source of the virus. ‘Source Control’ prevents any potential carrier of the virus, including asymptomatic carriers, from spreading it to others when they exhale.
In an interview in late March 2020, Dr. Neil Fishman, the chief medical officer of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, stated that “If everyone in the community wears a mask, it could decrease transmission”.
On June 5th, 2020, the WHO upgraded its COVID-19 guidance stating “governments should encourage the general public to wear masks where there is widespread transmission and physical distancing is difficult, such as on public transport, in shops or in other confined or crowded environments.” On August 21st the WHO extended this advise to include all children over the age of 12.
The WHO recommends a fabric mask to have 3 layers including:
- Outer layer: non-absorbent material, such as polyester or polyester blend
- Middle layer: non-woven material such as polypropylene
- Inner layer: absorbent material such as cotton
The US CDC’s advice is even more strict. It states that except for children under two years of age and those who have trouble breathing, everyone “should wear a cloth face cover when they have to go out in public, for example to the grocery store or to pick up other necessities.”
In late August, US CDC Director Robert Redfield stated to reporters that he believes the US pandemic would come under control within 12 weeks if all Americans followed the CDC recommended prevention measures including wearing face masks.
Proof that Face Masks are an Effective Tool to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19
At least one study has concluded that implementing the mandatory wearing of masks reduced COVID-19 transmission in several cities faster than any other mitigation measure.
Other studies have also shown how airborne transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is dramatically reduced when masks are worn.
Certainly, China’s success in controlling the spread of the coronavirus with strict measures including mandatory face mask wearing is evidence that face masks are a critical part of the solution to this pandemic.
N95 Mask for Protection from Air Pollution
When discussing air pollution, you will often hear the term PM2.5. This refers to fine particulate matter with a diameter of less than 2.5 microns (ug/m3). Many studies have shown that PM2.5 in the air is very harmful to our health.
Cloth face masks offer poor protection against PM2.5. An N95 mask, however, is highly protective as it is certified to trap 95% of particles 0.3 microns in size; particles much smaller than PM2.5..
In two studies in Beijing it was shown that wearing an N95 respirator can be very effective in preventing the adverse effects of inhaling PM2.5 particulate matter.
Wearing a N95 mask lowered mean arterial pressure and increased heart rate variability compared to not wearing a face mask when exposed to air pollution.
An N95 mask should be worn when the Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeds 200. People with respiratory problems should consider wearing one at even lower AQI readings.
It is important to note that when you are close to motor vehicles or other sources of air pollution, the actual AQI level you are exposed to will be higher than the AQI reading shown on your air pollution app. So even if the AQI reading does not exceed 200, consider using an N95 mask if you bicycle to work, or walk beside busy streets.
How to Wear a Face Mask
It is important to remember that the N95 mask will only be effective if it is worn properly. It must fit your face tightly to avoid air leaking in around the mask.
The Health Promotion Board of Singapore has produced an image guide showing how to properly fit and wear an N95 mask. They have also produced a guide showing how to wear a surgical mask.
It is important to wash your hands with soap and water before you put on your face mask, especially if you are wearing it to protect yourself from the coronavirus.
Exhalation Valve
Some N95 models have an exhalation valve installed on the front of the mask. This valve makes breathing out easier and helps to reduce heat build-up inside the mask.
The valve is helpful when wearing a mask to protect yourself from air pollution. However, when the mask is being used to prevent the spread of COVID-19, such a valve is not recommended. The valve allows your exhaled breath to escape the mask. So, if you already have the virus, possibly without even knowing it; i.e. asymptomatic carrier, you could spread it to others. This would defeat the purpose of using a face mask for source control.
Face Masks for Children
Children spend longer periods of time outdoors, just when their lungs are developing. So wearing a face mask is even more critical for children to protect them from air pollution.
Many models of N95 masks, however, are only suitable for adults as they are difficult to fit tightly to children’s faces.
Fortunately, there are some brands that do offer N95 masks especially made for children.
Removing and Disposing an N95 Mask
How you take off your face mask is also critical when its purpose is to protect you from the COVID-19 coronavirus.
You should first wash your hands or use a hand sanitizer before removal. You should try to avoid touching the front of the mask and instead hold the strings on the side to remove it carefully. You should avoid touching your face and immediately wash your hands again with soap and water after removal.
Properly disposing your face mask will help protect others. Masks should be sealed inside plastic bags and disposed of in trash containers. Again, do not touch your face and immediately wash your hands after disposal.
Some N95 masks should be disposed after a single use. Some N95 mask models have changeable filters and can be reused under certain conditions.
When using them to protect yourself from the coronavirus, however, it is usually recommended to use them only once. For face masks that allow reuse you need to be careful how you store them and should never share them between users.
As there has been severe shortages of N95 masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, the US CDC has issued guidelines for how healthcare workers could reuse an N95 mask when they are in short supply.
Apart from the CDC guidelines, be sure to also read the manufacturer’s user instructions that come with your mask before use and follow them carefully!
N95 Mask Manufacturers
Several foreign brands of N95 face masks are sold in China. These include 3M, Cambridge Mask, AQblue, IQAir and Vogmask. Some Chinese manufacturers have also achieved the American NIOSH N95 certification for their products.
The American CDC website lists manufacturers and models of face masks that have achieved the NIOSH N95 certification.
More Chinese manufacturers have obtained the local KN95 certification for their face masks.