Everything YOU Need to know About N95 Respirators
Since the onset of COVID-19 just a few months ago, the terms “respirator”, “N95”, “face masks” and “surgical masks” have transformed from something that few people outside of healthcare and manufacturing knew about, to ubiquitous terms in our daily vocabulary. (To avoid confusion, the word mask and respirator can be used interchangeably.) While these terms may now be commonplace, there is a wealth of misinformation and false data floating around on social media and across the 24-hour news cycle. This article will cover the following:
WHO should and should not be wearing an N95 mask
WHAT an N95 mask is and how it works when worn properly
WHEN a person should and should not be using an N95 mask
WHERE an N95 mask should be worn
Unfortunately, the majority of people we see wearing an N95 mask in public spaces are not wearing the respirator properly, not to mention taking away valuable resources from health care professionals. In the absence of proper training and fit testing, these N95 masks may give the wearer a false sense of security while providing minimal protection, ultimately wasting precious resources. If you are a healthcare worker or someone who needs to be wearing an N95 mask, view our article here on the proper way to wear an N95.
WHO should wear an N95 Mask
It is critical for front line Health Care Providers (HCP’s) coming into direct or close contact with a patient who has a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 to have access to and be wearing a properly fitted N95 mask, along with all other necessary personal protective equipment (PPE), as specified by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). If civilians who are not coming into direct contact with infected patients have hoarded PPE for their own use, it causes the shortages of supply in N95’s that we are seeing today. The result unfortunately, is that front line HCP’s who are unable to protect themselves can and will become infected with the virus and will no longer be available to treat critically ill patients.
Homemade masks, scarves, handkerchiefs or bandannas should never be used unless there is no other option. It should be noted that resorting to the homemade options will not prevent transmission of the Coronavirus as they do not have the ability to capture aerosols (tiny viral particles) nor to prevent droplets from entering, which is the main transmission route of Coronavirus. Read here for more about homemade masks, their effectiveness, and where they can be helpful if used.
The reality is that most people outside of a clinical setting should not be wearing an N95 mask at all. The CDC has set forth clear social distancing guidelines and state and local governments across the country have implemented shutdowns of non-critical businesses and infrastructure. Some states and cities have implemented stay-at-home orders of the state or municipality and full-on quarantining for anyone with a confirmed case, shows symptoms of or has known exposure to the virus. While essential services have remained open, residents who need to leave home to take part in essential activities are advised to maintain at least six feet of distance between themselves and others. Thus, if the public is heeding the shelter in place guidelines, they should be at home a vast majority of their day and have no need for an N95 mask.
WHAT is an N95 MAsk
To the lay person, an N95 mask may seem like just a piece of paper that covers the nose and mouth. In reality, when used by a professional who has undergone required annual fit testing and training on how to properly wear an N95, they are effective at filtering at least 95% of particles as small as 0.3 microns. The N95 is a highly engineered fiber, typically with a metal adjustable nose piece, and two elastic straps. They are manufactured to exacting specifications set by the manufacturer and meet strict NIOSH (National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health) testing criteria.
Each N95 mask has four main ways of keeping particles from entering and, more importantly, out of the wearer’s respiratory system. The first is impaction: the tightly woven fibers capture smaller particles and prevent them from passing through the fiber. The second is deflection: the tightly woven fibers make larger particles bounce off and away from the mask. The third is interception: as particles pass close to a filter fiber, they may be intercepted by the fiber. The fourth is electrostatic charge: N95’s keeps particles out by using an electrostatic charge that captures very small particles like magnets. This electrostatic charge wears off after time, therefore, all NIOSH and FDA approved respirators have an expiration date.
In addition to the four ways in which N95’s keep particles out, it also is imperative that the mask be worn properly. Since every person’s face is different, it is crucial that the mask wearer properly adjust of the nose piece, place the straps correctly and perform a user seal check by covering their mask with both hands and breathing in and out slightly, confirming a tight seal on the mask. Read more on how to properly don an N95 mask here.
One other important aspect to remember when using an N95 is that this piece of equipment is a filter. It will restrict your breathing and can be uncomfortable to wear for long periods. If you have an underlying health condition within your pulmonary or respiratory system, you should consult your physician prior to wearing an N95 respirator.
WHEN and WHERE to use an N95 Mask
For the WHEN, it is similar to the guidance that was provided in the WHO section of this article. Unless you are a front-line HCP, you will not likely be coming into regular close contact with people infected with COVID-19, meaning that you should never have a need to wear an N95 mask(the exception being if you have an underlying health condition and have an essential need to be out in public).
As for the WHERE, if you are following appropriate CDC social distancing guidelines and your state or local quarantine orders you should never find yourself in a situation where you would need to wear an N95 respirator. Any health care workers in direct or close patient contact should be wearing an N95 mask, whenever possible.
If you have questions about N95 respirators, OSHA Fit Test Standards, about fit testing or any other workplace safety questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our team @ 800-331-3218. We are here to help!
*** Please note that this article is not meant to be an exhaustive review of N95 Respirators nor does it represent all aspects of selecting and properly wearing an N95 mask.
*** Discalimer: This material has been prepared for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be relied upon for occupational health and safety reasons, legal or other professional advice. Please refer to your advisors for specific advice.