Home > Health & Fitness > What Is An N95 Mask?

An N95 mask is a disposable filtering facial respirator designed to protect workers from inhaling small particles. They are usually available at major retailers and must be approved and certified by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health. These masks must be approved by NIOSH and conform to federal and state regulations. You can find an N95 mask for sale at most hardware stores or online.

n95 mask

N95 masks filter particles with a diameter greater than 0.1 micron.

The science behind N95 masks is not simple. Nearly ninety percent efficiency is achieved for particles with diameters greater than 0.1 micron. Particles smaller that this size move randomly through the air. Because of their Brownian motion, they are more likely to be caught within the filter’s fibers. The masks also use electrostatic absorption to capture particles.

They are disposable facepiece respirators that filter the air.

“N95” refers a type or filtering facepiece respiratoryator. Its manufacturer, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), is responsible for the worldwide standard for the use and maintenance of these devices. These devices are also known as mechanical and elastomeric filters. These products perform the same functions as N95 masks except that they are brand-named.

They are available from major retailers

The N95 masks can be found at major retailers in your area. Hy-Vee, which is a grocery chain, has allocated N95 masks to its pharmacies in several states. Kroger is another example, having received allocations in many cities across the nation. The N95 masks can help protect against the virus but they cannot be used to cover the entire face.

They must be approved and certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, (NIOSH), has specific standards for N95 respirators. The masks must be NIOSH-approved to protect you from harmful airborne particles. It is not difficult to find one.

They are not immune to oil mists

An N95 mask is a facepiece filter that blocks gaseous and particles. The N95 mask is resistant to oil mists or gasses and is effective in protecting you from asbestos or other asbestos-related airborne particles. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health approved the N95 mask.

They can be reused

The best way to reuse an N95 mask is to clean it thoroughly after each use. You should not reuse a single mask until it has passed the quarantine and disinfection periods. Remember that coronavirus can survive on a surface for up to 72 hours.