Did you know that breathing in any small particle of airborne matter can land you in the hospital with serious ailments? Believe it or not, even simple things like walking outside while wearing an N95 mask can land you in the hospital. The question remains, how safe are you really with an N95 mask? Find out if you’re really as safe as you think you are with an N95 mask by reading on below!
An N95 respirator is designed to help protect from potentially harmful airborne particles, liquids, and gases. However, a recent study has shown that wearing one doesn’t necessarily make people feel any safer than when they aren’t wearing one at all. The researchers found that participants who wore N95 masks didn’t report feeling more protected than those who wore no masks at all. In fact, some of them even reported feeling less protected while wearing a mask! So what gives? It seems like there may be something about these masks that makes us feel less safe rather than more.
Before taking part in a pandemic outbreak, or any kind of public emergency, it’s important to make sure that you’re getting all of your facts straight about things like how to prepare and what actually will happen. To help you do just that, we put together a list of nine common myths about N95 masks and their true meanings .
An N95 mask is one of several kinds of respirators used to protect against hazardous particulates in air—but how do you know when to use it and how effective is it, exactly? It all depends on two things: what kind of dangerous particles we’re talking about, and where they’re located. If you’re dealing with a biological or chemical agent, such as anthrax or Ebola virus, then a gas mask is probably your best bet. If it’s asbestos or radioactive dust that poses a threat, however, then an N95 mask may be more appropriate.
When it comes to air masks and respirators, fit is always more important than filters. A poorly fitted respirator will not protect its wearer from inhaling hazardous particles or vapors, whereas a properly fitted mask can keep unwanted substances from reaching your mouth, nose and lungs — even without filters in place. So what does fit mean when it comes to these safety items? There are two things to consider: how well the mask fits around your face and how well it seals against your skin. The first factor relates to how much of your face’s surface area is covered by the mask. Ideally, you want enough coverage so that all of your facial features (nose, cheeks, chin) are completely covered by at least one layer of material; however, there should be no gaps between where one layer ends and another begins. The second factor relates to how well the mask stays sealed against your skin throughout use.
Whether or not an N95 mask is right for you, there’s no doubt it’s important to wear one when exposed to potentially hazardous chemicals or when entering a contaminated environment. That said, wearing your safety gear properly can have a big impact on how well it protects you against potential dangers.