What should you use when exposed to airborne contaminants and need protection from breathing them in? Many people will buy masks off the shelf at places like Target or Wal-Mart, but that’s not necessarily the best choice. Although those masks might work well in some situations, they may not meet the safety standards of organizations like NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health). It would help if you always chose NIOSH-certified N95 masks to ensure that you get the proper protection when your health is on the line.
Why Are They Important?
Face masks are crucial personal protective equipment (PPE) that workers can use to protect themselves from airborne contaminants. A properly fitted, clean, maintained N95 respirator can filter at least 95% of very small (0.3 microns) particles. However, face masks are not always manufactured with health and safety. That’s where NIOSH comes in.
NIOSH ( the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) is the leading resource for occupational safety in the United States. Part of its mission is to assure the safety and health of America’s workers by setting and enforcing standards, conducting research and training, providing technical assistance, and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health. To carry out this mission, NIOSH has developed various guidelines and recommendations, including those on respirators (i.e., N95 masks).
How Many Kinds Are There?
There are three face masks: surgical, respirator, and dust/particle. Surgical masks are loose-fitting and typically protect the wearer’s nose and mouth from contact with droplets, splashes, and sprays that may contain germs. A respirator is a tight-fitting mask that creates a seal between the wearer’s face and the respirator itself. They filter at least 95% of small (0.3 microns) particles. These masks can also prevent exposure to hazardous gases, vapours, and chemicals. Dust or particle masks are the least common type of mask. These masks are not as effective as respirators or surgical masks because they do not provide much protection against viruses or chemicals. However, these masks can be worn over the mouth and nose during dusty conditions such as construction work to help keep particulates out of your lungs while you work.
How Do You Choose Which Ones To Use?
With all the different types and brands of face masks on the market, it can be hard to know which ones to use. However, the best type of mask to protect yourself and others from the coronavirus is an N95 mask certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). This ensures you get a quality product that will provide you with the necessary protection. There are many reasons why this certification is important:
- N95 masks offer 98% protection against airborne particles that carry the virus
- N95 masks prevent bacteria and viruses from entering your nose or mouth
- N 95 masks shield you from droplets that could carry the virus in your environment
- N 95 masks trap microorganisms inside the mask, so they don’t get near your nose or mouth
The list goes on!
Where Can I Get Some For Myself And My Family?
There are a lot of different face masks on the market, but not all are created equal. NIOSH-certified N95 masks are the gold standard for personal protective equipment, and for a good reason. Not only do they filter out at least 95% of airborne particles, but they also have a tight seal that helps to prevent gaps from forming around the edges of the mask. Our N95 face masks are the best in the market. Check us out at: https://accumed.com/n95-mask-for-sale-respirator-safety-face-mask-z1.html
