What's in a N95 Mask?

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Unmasking the N95

Below is a breakdown of what an N95 mask is:

N:
This is a Respirator Rating Letter Class. It stands for “Non-Oil” meaning that if no oil-based particulates are present, then you can use the mask in the work environment. Other masks ratings are R (resistant to oil for 8 hours) and P (oil proof).


95:
Masks ending in a 95, have a 95 percent efficiency. Masks ending in a 99 have a 99 percent efficiency. Masks ending in 100 are 99.97 percent efficient and that is the same as a HEPA quality filter.


.3 microns:
The masks filter out contaminants like dusts, mists and fumes. The minimum size of .3 microns of particulates and large droplets won’t pass through the barrier, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC.)


Material:
The filtration material on the mask is an electrostatic non-woven polypropylene fiber.


Valve:
Some disposable N95 masks come with an optional exhalation valve. “The presence of an exhalation valve reduces exhalation resistance, which makes it easier to breathe (exhale,)” according to the CDC. 

For information on how to protect yourself during the COVID-19 outbreak, contact your local health care professionals, visit the CDC and World Health Organization (WHO.)

Required Labeling of a NIOSH-Approved N95 Filtering Face-piece Respirator

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Source:
CDC

 


Surgical N95 NIOSH under 42 CFR Part 84 and

FDA/NIOSH MOU 225-18-006

Commercial N95 NIOSH under 42 CFR Part 84

Labelling Information on respirator

(1) Manufacturer’s Name; (2) TC-84A-####; (3) NIOSH; (4) Lot Number; (5) Filter designation (i.e. N95)

Additional information 1

Nasal splints

Must be adjustable and provide an airtight seal.

Mask Harness

  • Head straps are typical, Ear-loops are extremely uncommon
  • Ear-loops are considered a novel head harness and must undergo additional NIOSH testing
  • 2.2kg per strap

Fit

Half-mask face-pieces and full face-pieces shall be designed and constructed to fit persons with various facial shapes and sizes, either: (1) By providing more than one face-piece size; or (2) By providing one face-piece size which will fit varying facial shapes and sizes.

Filter performance – (must be X% efficient)

95%

95%

Test agent

Sodium Chloride (NaCl) Particles

Sodium Chloride (NaCl) Particles

Flow rate

85 L/min

85 L/min

Inhalation Resistance

343 Pa

343 Pa

Flow rate

85 L/min

85 L/min

Exhalation Resistance

245 Pa

245 Pa

Flow rate

85 L/min

85 L/min

Synthetic Blood Penetration

  • 2ml of synthetic blood spayed on mask at 10.7kPa, 16.0kPa and 21.3kPa, no penetration at an acceptable quality limit of 4.0%
  • Tested on a PASS/FAIL basis at a specified velocity/pressure
  • ASTM F1862

N/A

Surface Wetting Resistance

N/A

N/A

Microorganism Index (Bioburden)

N/A

N/A

Biological Filtration Efficency

95%

N/A

TIL (total inward leakage)

N/A

N/A

Exhalation valve leakage requirement

-

Leak rate 30 mL/min

Force applied

-

-245 Pa

CO2 clearance

N/A

N/A