ALL IT QUESTIONS about N95 masks you should know

The N95 mask is one of the most purchased items of the Covid-19 pandemic. You can find a variety of N95 masks on the market at any point of sale from pharmacies, supermarkets to health care stores. However, what is an N95 respirator? What is the N95 mask? Who should use an N95 respirator? …. not everyone knows. Let’s find out information about dust masks N95 in the article below!

1. What is N95 respirator?

Before going to find out what N95 masks are, first of all you need to know which organization defines masking standards, which is NIOSH (stands for National Institute or Occupational Safety and Health) – Institute of Health and Safety. National action of the US government.

NIOSH is an index with a high degree of reputation globally, used as a general standard for most countries in the world. NIOSH is used to evaluate the filter performance (Filter performance) of anti-pollution and anti-pollution products, including respirators and respirators.

NIOSH has many different standards such as N95, N99, N100, P95, P99, P100, R95, R99, R100, usually consisting of 1 capital letter and 1 number after. Inside:

*The first letter denotes the filter’s ability to be in contact with the oil.

+ Letter N – Symbol of Not Resistant to Oil, the filter will be damaged when in contact with oil. With the N standard, the filter will prevent particles including metal emissions (such as those produced during welding), particulate matter, fine dust or particles such as viruses … N95 respirators can be used every day during influenza outbreaks, when pollutants or fires impair air quality. In contrast, N95 respirators should not be used in environments with oil aerosols, as oil will damage the filter.

+ Letter R – Symbol of Somewhat Resistant to Oil (Partially resistant to oil or relatively oil resistant). With the R standard, the filter will remove mineral oils, animal, vegetable or synthetic oils, but can only be relatively oil resistant. If you need a strong anti-oil mask, use a P-grade mask.

+ Letter P – The symbol of Strongly Resistant to Oil (Completely resistant to oil). With this standard, the mask completely filters mineral oils, animal oils, vegetable oils and synthetic oils. If exposure to chemical gases or vapors that are required to exceed the exposure limits for this respirator, look for an alternative respirator as filters with filters will effectively filter the air. more fruit.

*The figure behind represents the percentage (%) representing the amount of ultrafine dust that can be filtered when wearing a mask.

+ 95 is the minimum filtering capacity of at least 95% of PM2.5 fine dust.

+ 99 is capable of filtering at least 99% of micro dust particles.

+ 100 is the minimum filter capacity tested at a laboratory to be at least 99.97% fine dust (approx. 100%).

According to NIOSH, dust particles with the size of 0.05 µm – 0.5 µm have the lowest filtration efficiency. Dust size of 0.3 m is selected as the criteria for evaluating the filtering efficiency of particles / dust of dust filtering equipment and products.

→ From the above, it can be concluded that N95 respirator is a specialized respirator capable of filtering at least 95% of viral dust (0.3 µm) and not oil resistant.

2. What is an N95 respirator for?

2.1. N95 respirator helps prevent fine dust.

Masks often do not have too much effect in preventing dust and pollution. Cloth masks that only work against the sun are even a place to store bacteria and viruses during hot weather. And medical masks only work to prevent bacteria in the hospital environment. You should use masks that meet N95, N99 standards to protect against ultrafine dust and pathogens from air pollution.

2.2. N95 mask helps to protect against the sun effectively.

In addition to the purpose of keeping the face warm, avoiding dirt, N95 mask also works to protect the skin of women very well. Weather conditions in our country with 2 seasons are the rainy season and the dry season. In the dry season, it is hot and hot, making your skin sunburned and dull. Thanks to the N95 mask which is designed in many layers, there are types equipped with Nano layer, providing relatively high sun protection effect.

2.3. N95 mask helps to fight viruses, bacteria.

Bacteria present in the air are the main cause of respiratory illnesses such as flu, coughing, sneezing, runny nose … Although not 100% preventable, wearing a mask can help you reduce the risk of serious illness. tell. At the present time, when the Covid-19 epidemic is still underway, the N95 mask is an indispensable item when going out on the street or in contact with other people.

2.4. N95 mask effectively protects the sun.

Because N95 dust masks are textured by multiple layers of filters, they are more effective against sun protection than fabric masks.

3. Who should use N95 respirator?

Who should use N95 respirators include:

+ People living in polluted air environments, mostly in big cities and industrial zones such as Hanoi, Thai Nguyen, Quang Ninh, Bien Hoa, Dong Nai …

+ People working in a dusty, hazardous environment such as working in factories, industrial zones, working in the street….

+ People who have ever had respiratory disease or are susceptible to respiratory diseases.

+ People with weak resistance such as children, pregnant women, the elderly, people with certain diseases …

+ People suffering from respiratory diseases or people with asthma and weather allergies.

+ People traveling or working to countries with heavy air pollution such as China, India …

+ Anyone who wants to find a solution to protect their health from dust and air pollution.

4. How long can the N95 respirator be used for?

Each brand of N95 respirator has a different recommended duration of use. But in general, the time to use N95 masks ranges from 90 hours to 360 hours depending on the pollution level where you live. If you live in an extremely polluted environment, you should only use the N95 respirator for up to 90 hours. As for the polluted environment like in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city (With the average AQI from 150), the shelf life could be 360 hours.

You should not use a respirator beyond the recommended time limit as it may affect your health.

5. When should I replace the N95 respirator?

Here are 4 cases where the N95 mask must be changed to ensure effective prevention of Covid-19 virus infection:

+ N95 mask is clogged, making the user feel breathless.

+ N95 mask is wet or dirty inside.

+ N95 mask is deformed or the filter is torn or damaged.

+ Using N95 respirator in contact with Covid-19 infected people that have not been cleaned or disinfected.

6. Should I use N95 respirator with breathing valve?

The N95 respirator with a breathing valve and without a breathing valve both provides the same level of protection for the wearer. However, the presence of a breathing valve makes it easier for you to breathe. Some users report that using a respirator with a breathing valve keeps the face cooler, reducing moisture build-up inside. However, the N95 respirator with a breathing valve should not be used when working in a sterile environment (e.g. doctor, nurse performing invasive surgical or surgical intervention) because of the valve The respirator’s respiration allows unfiltered exhaled air into the sterile environment.

7. Wearing N95 mask with facial allergies?

Wearing a mask with acne is entirely possible. The reason is that when you wear the mask for too long, too much, your facial skin will be “breathless”, sweat can not get out of the pores easily, so the skin is susceptible to infection, especially with Those who have sensitive skin Besides, because of running for profits, poor quality masks can also cause skin irritation, causing skin pimples, however, N95 masks often have valves. Breathing, the innermost layer is usually very soft, specially sterile before packing, so skin irritation will be limited, sometimes completely overcome.

If you unfortunately suffer from skin allergies while wearing a mask, you should note the following:

+ Wash hands thoroughly before and after wearing the mask.

+ When removing the mask, avoid touching the outside of the mask as the outer layer can contain germs.

+ When you remove the mask, you need to fold the mask so that the outside of the mask is facing inside. Next, put the mask in a paper bag, plastic bag before putting it in the garbage with a lid.

+ Masks should not be used if they are contaminated such as blood, secretions or torn masks.

+ When wearing an N95 mask, you need to use more sunscreen to limit uneven facial skin.

+ Limit too much moisture, makeup too thick when wearing a mask because the skin is easy to “squash” and produce acne.

+ Need to wash your face with clean water after using the dust filter N95.

8. Is the N95 respirator washable during Covid-19 disease?

Mask reuse is not the ideal way to protect yourself from disease. Some methods of re-using the respirator, such as spraying or rinsing the N95 mask with a spray, alcohol, or rinsing it with soap, are not recommended by experts. Because they think these methods will disrupt the static charge that is key to the operation of the N95 filter. They can reduce the dust filter and anti-bacterial effectiveness of N95 respirators by ⅓ or half.

There are a few ways to clean N95 masks that are recommended by experts and can be done on your own at home. (This information is collected and compiled by CNET site from 3 reliable official sources).

+ Use mask rotation: Use the mask rotation so that they can “rest” for at least 72 hours before putting them back on. Therefore, up to 4 masks per person is required provided you only use 1 mask per day But if you only do one activity a day that poses a risk of infection (going out in the street once), you can use it every other day.

+ Steaming or boiling the mask: Experts say that placing the N95 mask in boiling water or steaming at a temperature of about 125 degrees C for 3 minutes will help disinfect the mask without reducing the filtering efficiency, however when You should boil or steam the mask, do not stir it too hard and let it immerse in boiling water for about 3 minutes. If your mask is the type that has an outer and inner layer of paper, this method should not be used.

+ Mask grill: It sounds strange, but if you have a dedicated oven, you can reuse your mask. Researchers at Machigan State University (USA) have refined this method and said that just heating the mask for about 30 minutes at 70 degrees C will help you disinfect the mask effectively and remove the virus. Corona.

9. Detailed instructions on how to wear the N95 mask properly.

Here’s how to wear a N95 mask properly and safely according to the guidance of experts:

a) N95 mask straps over the ear

+ Step 1: Wash your hands before wearing makeup

+ Step 2: two handles on the ear strap Stretch the surface of the stitching surface N95 to check if the front is intact. Check the N95 respirator before each use to make sure it is in good working condition. Inspect all parts of the N95 respirator for signs of damage including two elastic ear straps, nose braces.

+ Step 3: Put the N95 mask over the nose and mouth with the nose fitting on the bridge of the nose. The lower charge is right below the chin.

+ Step 4: Pull the elastic ear strap back to the ear and hang it over the ear. Make adjustments until you feel comfortable.

+ Step 5: Fix the mask so that the nose is closed. After you have firmly fixed the mask, you use your finger to stroke the nose slit to ensure that the N95 dust mask’s brace is close to the nose to avoid the opening to allow bacteria to attack the respiratory system (Nose, mouth)

+ Step 6: General checks before using. Use both hands to thoroughly examine the chin to the nose. Use 2 hands to seal from top to bottom to ensure the mask is pressed tightly to shape each person’s face.

b) Khẩu trang N95 dây quai vong qua đầu

+ Step 1: Wash your hands before wearing makeup

+ Step 2: Hold the mask in hand properly. Put the mask on hand with the nose at the fingertips, the palm of the hand catches the mask and the wire falls below the palm of the hand.

+ Step 3: Put a mask on your nose, chin. Place the N95 mask cover from chin to nose, pointed part towards nose.

+ Step 4: The left hand holds the mask fixed to ensure it is sealed from nose to chin, right hand is always 2 wires over the head. the top wire is placed high above the head, and the lower wire hangs around the neck below the ear.

+ Step 5: Fix the mask to cover the nose. After you have firmly fixed the mask, you use your hand to stroke the nose slit to ensure that the N95 dust mask’s brace is close to the nose to avoid the opening to allow bacteria to attack the respiratory system (Nose, mouth )

+ Step 6: Check before using. Use both hands to thoroughly examine the chin to the nose. Use 2 hands to seal from top to bottom to ensure the mask is pressed tightly to shape each person’s face.

10. The reputable brands of mask according to N95 standards

10.1. N99 Vogmask mask

Vogmask is an active mask with excellent quality for all time, showing the style of the user and protecting their health against the current Covid 19 pandemic.

Vogmask is a mask brand that is highly appreciated by the American Institute of Occupational Safety and Health according to N99 standards, this product has the ability to filter up to 99% dust, bacteria and chemicals. This mask is made from special high quality ingredients that help protect your lungs from harmful substances in the air that cannot be seen by the naked eye. The product has the advantages of fashion, durable, easy to use.

10.2. 3M masks.

3M masks are a familiar brand name in Vietnam as well as in many countries around the world. All 3M respirators meet N95 standards with the following outstanding features:

+ The design embraces the face, creating a certain gap to protect the employees’ respiratory system during work.

+ Made from non-woven fabric, activated carbon layer with 100% carbon material pressed tightly in the fabric.

+ Filter over 95% of bacteria, extremely small fine dust.

+ Made with modern technology, one-way breathing valve helps users feel comfortable to wear.

+ Widely used in many fields and trades.

10.3. Mona Mask.

Mona Mask is a brand new mask on the market and is favored by many people. The structure of Mona Mask consists of 6 specialized layers of filter that bring the following advantages:

+ Anti-fine dust PM 2.5 to 95%

+ Reduce a variety of diseases related to respiratory tract, cardiovascular, lung, bronchial …

+ Anti-virus, effective antibacterial

+ Does not cause squash, easy to breathe thanks to the filter valve.

+ No lipstick thanks to super smart design.

+ Style, fashion, outstanding.

+ Competitive price, with the world joining hands against Covid’s epidemic – 19.

Above are the questions about the N95 respirator to help you get more information and knowledge. If you have any questions about the standard or the product of the N95 mask. Please contact us to learn more about you!

Source: Monamask.com