N95 Mask - How Effective are these face masks?

An N95 mask, also commonly shortened to N95 mask, is a protective face mask that meets the U.S National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) classification of occupational air contaminants, which means that it effectively filters at least 95% of air-borne particles and small documents. The purpose of this type of mask is to protect the worker's nose and mouth from chemical fumes and vapors, which can cause serious damage to the respiratory system of the workers if not trapped and protected. 

To wear an N95 mask, the wearer needs to either cover their nose completely or partially, or cover their mouth and eyes with either a mask-covering chin strap or by sliding the headgear over their nose and mouth.  Earlier a mask will be approved for particular risk factors, which means that the N95 mask may not necessarily be appropriate for every individual who may work in a chemical processing plant or other job that requires the use of potentially dangerous chemicals but now as we face a Pandemic, N95 mask has been made available for everyone to use so that they can be prevented from inhaling the virus by any chance.

When choosing and using N95 masks, one must take into account several factors -

First, it is important to choose and use N95 mask that have been approved for the specific healthcare worker. There are standards set by the US DHHS (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) for deciding what healthcare workers should be covered by the N95 protection. These standards apply both to permanent health cover and temporary healthcare cover. The standards also apply to N95 mask as well as GMA, GHS, and other specialty healthcare N95 mask. This is because the healthcare industry is extremely large and the chances that different N95 masks will meet the requirements for various healthcare workers is small.

The second factor to consider when choosing and using N95 mask is to consider whether the mask offers more than a basic filtration. N95 filters are available that offer heat, cold, and anti-microbial protection; some offer both types of protection, but many N95 masks do not. This is especially true of healthcare workers who often come into contact with a variety of dangerous particles, including high level dust and other highly infectious medical particles. For these workers, it is often more advantageous to use a face mask with a dual filtration system.

The third factor to consider is whether N95 mask may reduce the safety of drug administration. In most cases, the N95 standard does not apply to drug administration, which is why many healthcare professionals prefer N95 mask over other types. However, there are healthcare workers who work in close proximity to patients and must wear masks while working. Some studies indicate that these drug administration workers experience a lower rate of serious adverse events (SAE) when compared with those who do not wear mask. Masks may also prevent the exposure of small particles from entering the patient's lungs.

The fourth factor to consider is whether the N95 mask may impact the comfort of the wearer. As previously mentioned, some N95 mask have a dual filtration system, including both mechanical and chemical filtering. These systems can be bulky and may create a noticeable ache on the nose, forehead, and chin. N95 mask may also prevent the release of allergens by reducing the number of particles that enter the patient's nasal airways. This makes it important for healthcare workers who are allergic or sensitive to allergens to wear N95 mask at all times. Some healthcare workers who are not allergic to certain chemicals and substances may find that they tolerate the mask's filter very well, but their eyes and skin may still become irritated.

Finally, it is important to understand that a N95 mask is generally not as effective as it originally appears. A N95 mask may contain millions of tiny dust particles that become airborne during a healthcare professional's work time. These tiny particles can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. As a result, some N95 masks are unable to effectively block these harmful dust particles and some healthcare workers who use N95 mask may suffer from symptoms such as headaches, irritation, watering of the eyes, and swelling of the face and throat. While these symptoms may seem relatively harmless, they may be a sign of adverse reactions to the dust produced during the treatment procedure.

It is important to remember that the performance of N95 mask depends on many factors. It is best to consult a healthcare professional such as an allergist, before purchasing N95 face masks. However, if one is unable to find a healthcare provider who can help one select the best N95 mask, then one can purchase a pre-made N95 respirators.