Guide to buy n95s

Working principle of N95s

N95s have a great filter Electrostatic Media that can be rated with 95% or higher efficiencies at least 0.3 microns.
It works by protecting you from breathing in harmful particles that can cause lung and body disease, like the much-feared coronavirus(COVID-19/NCOV 19) droplet >0.3 microns.
Also, it works by blocking small particles and disease.

Functional N95 respirators

1.An N95 respirator is a respiratory protective device designed to achieve a very close facial fit and very efficient filtration of airborne particles.
2.The N95 designation means that when subjected to careful testing, the respirator blocks at least 95 percent of very small (0.3 microns) test particles.
3.If properly fitted, the filtration capabilities of N95 respirators exceed those of face masks. Technically block 95% virus, however, even a properly fitted respirator does not 100% completely eliminate the risk of illness or death.
4.An N95 respirator is not designed for very long time usage. It should be abandon after 4-6 days daily usage, or 1-2 days usage at high risk.
The grade of masks by usage
Dustproof masks
Only block dust and spray, not designed for block virus Not qualified for blocking any virus.

Medical disposal masks

·Designed for germs and virus protection.
·Can block some spray which contains coronavirus, some coronavirus droplet.
·Wear it during daily use, public transportation, taxi driver, social workers, and public service.
·It’s cheap and disposable.

Medical-surgical disposal masks
·Designed for germs and virus protection. Can block some spray that contains coronavirus.
·Wear it during daily use, public transportation, taxi driver, social workers, and public service.
·Reduces some coronavirus droplet and much of the chance of infection ·It’s cheap and disposal

KN95/FFP2

Designed for PM2.5 and micron virus protection. Can block 95% of particles and spray which contains coronavirus.
·Wear it if have risk contacting infected persons when going out, shopping, or small gatherings.
·Reduces most of the chance of infection

N95

FDA / NIOSH Approved, Designed for micron virus protection.
·Can block 95% 0.3 um non-oil particles and spray which contains coronavirus.
·Wear it if taking risk contacting with infected persons when going out, shopping or small gatherings.
·Reduces most of the chance of infection

Surgical N95

·NIOSH NPPTL lab-tested Can block 95% 0.3 um non-oil particles and spray.
·Designed for the medical surgical protective mask (Tight, head-worn, no valve).
·Wear it if have high risk be infected such as a hospital or facing or contacting patients.
·Designed to protection from blood virus, protect from both sides for wearer and others.
·Reduces almost all of the chance of infection

Legal certificate organization of N95 in the US

FDA Approved: use in the US and confirmed quality safety in accordance with US laws and regulations.

NIOSH Approved: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Qualified For CDC medical usage.

NIOSH NPPTL lab: N95 Particulate Filtering test.

OSHA: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

What’s PFE, BFE? What’s the meaning of N, R? What are droplet precautions?
PFE = Particulate Filtration Efficienc of 0.3 micron particles

BFE = Bacterial Filtration Efficiency

N = NOT resistant to oil, indicating that the filter material cannot be used in the environment containing oil and gas;

R = resistant to oil, indicating that the filter material has the ability to isolate oil and gas within 8 hours;

P = oil proof, indicating that oil and gas can be completely isolated.

Droplet prevention is to prevent the spread of infectious substances, large particle droplets and aerosols at close range (3 feet away) by wearing surgical masks or higher protective efficiency masks. These droplets are usually produced when patients cough and blow their noses.

Comparing Surgical disposable Masks and Surgical N95 Respirators
The FDA regulates medical-surgical disposable masks and surgical N95 respirators differently based on their intended use.
A (medical disposable)surgical mask is a loose-fitting, disposable device that creates a physical barrier between the mouth and nose of the wearer and potential contaminants in the immediate environment. These are often referred to as face masks, although not all face masks are regulated as surgical masks. Note that the edges of the mask are not designed to form a seal around the nose and mouth.

An N95 respirator is a respiratory protective device designed to achieve a very close facial fit and very efficient filtration of airborne particles. Note that the edges of the respirator are designed to form a seal around the nose and mouth. Surgical N95 Respirators are commonly used in healthcare settings and are a subset of N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirators (FFRs), often referred to as N95.

The standard of N95s should be tested by Particulate Filtration Efficienc of 0.3 micron particles(PFE), and the standard of medical surgical disposable masks should be tested by Bacterial Filtration Efficiency(BFE).

The similarities among surgical masks and surgical N95 are:
They are tested for fluid resistance, filtration efficiency (particulate filtration efficiency and bacterial filtration efficiency), flammability and biocompatibility.
They should not be shared or reused for many times.

How much time an N95 can be reused? How to clean the surface after 1-day use?

An N95 was designed using for 4-5 days. A high-quality N95 is more durable but not suggested using for more than a week. Also if used in the high-risk areas the time will be shorter. Look at the surface if turns dark and not refresh should discard it.

After 1 day of use, DONT touch the surface by hand when taking down, DONT wash using water or 75% alcohol. Should wash your hands after taking down.
If you want to clean the surface and have no professional device, you can expose it in the sunshine for 20-30 minutes, the radiation and temperature can kill the COVID on the surface, also a UV lamp works.