With the Omicron variant on the rise, there’s no better time to invest in an N95 mask.
Most of us have mastered social distancing, handwashing, and finding sanitizing solutions that really smell good by this point. With the development of extremely contagious COVID-19 variations like Delta and Omicron coinciding with the holidays, it’s more important than ever to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe. Investing in a reliable mask is one approach to reduce your risk of transmission and infection.
To reduce viral transmission, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that anybody over the age of two wear a mask inside. With COVID cases on the rise and several states and counties requiring indoor face coverings, now is a good time to stock up on masks. High-filtration N95 masks are among the most protective face coverings, according to the CDC, and are effective enough to be worn by healthcare personnel (but, keep in mind, these are not surgical masks). Even better, certain designs are NIOSH-approved, which means they must filter at least 95% of airborne particles, according to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health.
- You may get five N95 masks that have been authorised by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) right now online:
- Best Breathable: 3M Aura Particulate Respirator Best Secure Fit: Harley N95 Respirator
- Face Mask Best Rated: Kimberly-Clark Professional N95 Pouch Respirator
- Best for Long Wear: DemeTECH Honeywell Surgical N95 Respirator Best for Comfort:
- Honeywell Surgical N95 Respirator N95 Respirator Face Mask (NIOSH)
- But, just what qualifies a N95 mask as NIOSH-approved? Continue reading to learn about the criteria used to evaluate these face masks, as well as the attributes that have earned them the mark of approval.
Filter performance that is effective
N95 masks, unlike fabric masks, are made of woven fibers that are porous enough to allow air to pass through yet thick enough to trap big particles. Smaller particles are trapped inside the filter fiber, which allows this material to disperse them. According to the CDC, “once a particle comes into touch with a filter fiber, it is eliminated from the airstream in all circumstances.” “It’s quite tough to eliminate such particles after they’ve been gathered.” COVID-19 particles are therefore less likely to get through these masks and infect the wearer.
A good fit
“The most critical component of a NIOSH-certified respirator’s performance is how well it fits to the face and limits the degree of leakage around the facepiece,” according to the CDC. Masks should always cover the nose and mouth, even if the fit varies owing to people’s different face shapes. The ‘duckbill’ shape of N95 masks provides additional breathing room, while a flexible nose piece and stretchy straps provide a snug, no-gap fit.
Extensive testing
“Respirator filters must pass NIOSH’s demanding certification testing,” according to the CDC. NIOSH tests look at things like porosity and filter thickness to see how they affect a mask’s capacity to protect against germs.
N95 masks that have been authorized by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health can be purchased online.
We’ve gone through the CDC’s list of approved manufacturers for you so you don’t have to. 5 NIOSH-approved N95 Masks, including the Delta and Omicron varieties, are available for purchase online to defend against rising COVID instances.
