The Wirecutter assessment appears to be the best information available to the public at this time and their most recent report included testing for each masks filtration capabilities. 1.3 I found a mistake, or would like something to be added or clarified, can you do that? The 6 feet rule also helps with aerosols that do not settle to the ground because they are most concentrated close to the person who released them, like cigarette smoke is most concentrated close to the smoker. so you have better idea about how to use it. You can check out his Twitter feed, his YouTube channel and a spreadsheet he has created of nearly 450. No vendors have provided us with any free samples. The same study also reported that After a month of use, no one wearing an elastomeric mask chose to return to an N95 mask., The Envo Mask has NIOSH N95 certification and provided us with a NIOSH label via email indicating N95 approval with use of the mask valve plug now shipped with the mask. However these standards will not evaluate fit, which as explained above, is vitally important to getting full protection from your filtering materials. According to the website Patient Knowhow, a study of 60 participants by the Australian Society of Anesthesiologists, 98% of elastomerics passed fit testing versus 57% of disposables (Table 1). Mr. Collins created a video primer for parents about finding a high-quality mask for kids that has more than 100,000 views. He says these started out as importers of South Korean beauty goods but now also import KF94 respirators, which are extremely common in South Korean drugstores. Other clear masks on the market, other than the Savewo Smile (available only from foreign suppliers), that we are aware of offer much worse fit and filtration. I don't think it is reasonable to criticize Aaron Collins for not testing every mask that exists, even masks that have unique certifications. P100 rated filters for these masks, which filter nearly 100% of small particles, are inexpensive and will last for a long time. One concern is the filter inserts are smaller than the cloth mask. Big retailers like Home Depot and Lowes typically work directly with manufacturers approved by NIOSH or their distributors, so if you find an N95 mask in a major retail store you can be confident youre getting the real thing. The masks come in a range of sizes. Keep in mind that, an FDA listing does not indicate FDA testing or approval of the product, . Compared to N95s disposable masks, which are supposed to be thrown away after a single use, elastomeric respirators use filters that need to be replaced only once a year unless they become damaged, soiled, or clogged. Aaron Collins, a scientist with a background in aerosol science, has been reviewing a variety of masks, including N95, to find the most effective, comfortable, and durableessentially taking. On February 2, 2021 the National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL). Here is the official NIOSH guidance regarding facial hair, which is available. Why We Need to Upgrade Our Face Masksand Where to Get Them Dont send tweets, emails or DMs as we cant keep track of questions or suggestions that way. 2 Rating : Author : Kieron . Keep in mind what NPPTL said in releasing the report: . Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. People who leave ratings for masks dont have the expensive equipment needed to test masks for filtration. We recommend checking a mask manufacturers website to see if it lists authorized stores or online sellers where their masks can be bought. Masks - Clean Air Crew To see it in action, Aaron Collins tested it here. The Science Behind Why Experts Recommend Masks (A List of Studies 2023 The American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Some KF94s are made in China. Some minimum KN95s filtration results were under 26%! Top Picks - the People'S Ppe As discussed above in Section 5.3, an ASTM rated Level 2 or Level 3 surgical mask filters just as well as the materials used in the N95 masks. The Fix the Mask brace plus surgical is thought to protect better than many N95s when speaking because it is flexible. Jennifer Swanson/NPR This model appears to have some folds in the filtering material, which, if true, would provide more filtering area. Some companies offer fit kits that contain various N95 styles, so you can try them all to find the best fit. Collins likes trifold or boat-shaped N95s like the 3M Aura 9205+, which has foam over the nose clip for added comfort. You can find these materials in surgical masks and medical respirators such as N95s, which can filter out over 95% of these smaller particles containing viruses. Sales Policy Legitimate N95s and KN95s are required to have specific text stamped on the front of the mask. "But, then, I never thought I'd be doing this in the first place." In short, if you want to get the full benefit of a better mask or the highest possible protection from your better mask, you will need to shave any facial hair where your mask needs to contact your face to get a good seal. And remember, the mask does need to fit very snugly the whole idea is not to let air come in and out around the edge. Jan 29 So excited about this. You should seek independent professional advice from a person who is licensed and/or qualified in the applicable area. Speaking results in about x10 times more respiratory aerosol emission than just breathing, and singing (at high volume) or yelling can be about x50 times more. The company says the mask can last more than a month under typical urban-wear conditions. The website provides cleaning and disinfection instructions. It can be difficult to talk through these types of elastomerics compared to the medical market ones, but you will get very strong protection if you wear it correctly. John Brooks, MD, chief medical officer of the CDCs COVID-19 Response recently said, that a combination of a medical grade surgical mask and fitter, is getting into that range of filtration efficiency afforded by N95 respirators. You can view the portion of his Jan. 29 briefing on mask fitters. This took about two minutes. Some American consumers really prefer the flat-fold shape and ear loop attachments of the KN95 so much so that "one really anomalous thing has happened," says Anne Miller of Project N95, a nonprofit organization that connects consumers with legitimate masks and other personal protective equipment: NIOSH-rated manufacturers in the U.S. have now started making KN95-style masks a Chinese standard for sale in the U.S. market. Its elastomeric construction and use of head straps, which we recommend, should provide a good fit. There are surgical style masks and then there are medical grade surgical masks. So a surgical mask will provide more filter area to filter air coming through the mask into your lungs. Here in the "lab" at his Minneapolis home, Collins is. Here is a tweet with a letter from the maker of the ReadiMask attesting to its suitability for an MRI. How to shop for medical masks like N95s, KN95s and KF94s and how to using headforms and a simulated cough by an unmasked person. This study did not specify the quality of the procedure mask used. It comes in 16 different colors, and one is shown below. Academic paper in preparation. The design is unique in that it allows unusual movement of the mouth when speaking compared to other respirators. A surgical mask is larger than any of the filters that will fit inside your cloth mask pocket. @Thatquaratined1 asked me to do a quick video about fixing the nose bridge fit on a KN95. The, We recommend you review the CDC page with the agencys official mask guidance. When NIOSH becomes aware of counterfeit respirators or those misrepresenting NIOSH approval on the market, we will post them here to alert users, purchasers, and manufacturers. Aaron Collins, an engineer who routinely tests masks and who has gained a YouTube following as Mask Nerd, recommends buying KF94s from Korean beauty product importers like Be Healthy or KMact. If a mask has NIOSH certification, then you have the highest assurance of testing and quality. 1.5 Can I use the information here in other publications etc.? Fix The Mask independently tested a number of the most commonly available surgical style and surgical masks. The fit factor test results (tests were by the company, not an outside lab) were also very high. High-grade masks also have an electrostatically charged filter that helps attract and trap particles. as the source of the information. 3-ply disposable face mask, you can still carefree breathing. Since no one has a sharp v-shaped nose, you will need to reshape the nose wire to get a better fit. Yes, though Miller advises following the "brown bag decontamination method." The other headform had the surgical mask hack of a knotted and tucked medical procedure mask. It found the receiver with the modified surgical mask, the receivers cumulative exposure was reduced by 64.5% compared to not wearing a mask. KN95 is a Chinese respirator standard, but these respirators aren't strictly regulated by the Chinese government, according to both Collins and Miller. The results of these tests are for the sample tested and may or may not be representative of a larger lot or population of similar respirators. list to find KN95 masks made in China, and this list for KN95 masks made in other countries. There is at least one report from a mask expert that it has considerable leakage around the nose. More high-quality mask options for kids of all ages can be found on a spreadsheet where Collins compiled the best ones he tested . HIS INDEPENDENT TESTING HAS BEEN INVALUABLE IN CONFIRMING THAT THE MASKS RECOMMENDED HERE ARE PERFORMING TO THEIR ADVERTISED STANDARDS. If you're not feeling like waiting to try and score a free N95 mask from the federal government, here's what you need to know about procuring your own. It could be other types of disposable N95s would give good results, but one study of what appears to be the popular 3M Aura mask appears to indicate that this mask isnt a good choice if you have a beard. Dont buy the surgical mask only schtick. Zeynep: If I were wearing an N95 just for the weekly grocery store run, Id probably be fine with alternating two carefully handled masks for many months as long as the elastic works and theres no soiling. In the United States we have NIOSH to check if masks meet the standard or not. 1. December 2021. This same advice should be followed for other medical grade masks, such as N99, N100, KF94, FFP2, FFP3 and KN95. Dont send tweets, emails or DMs as we cant keep track of questions or suggestions that way. We only ask that you give the link masks4all.co/faqs-on-better-masks as the source of the information. Here is the official NIOSH guidance regarding facial hair, which is available here. Here is one of the charts from the study: As noted by the Sikh Doctors Association, Presence of facial hair deems the individual to have failed [a fit] test, even before starting a fit test, which is not recommended to be carried out in people with unshorn facial hair. If the manufacturer doesnt show test results, you should probably shop elsewhere. On Feb. 13, 2021 the CDC website recommended placing a disposable mask underneath a cloth mask as one way to improve how your mask protects you. Better Masks: Options and FAQs - #Masks4All You should also not allow others to talk to you without a mask from a close distance., (This answer is from https://tinyurl.com/FAQ-aerosols here. The Canopy is likely the best (and perhaps only) reusable better mask option on the market for those who teach deaf students, teachers using American Sign Language, or persons who need to convey facial expressions. Your N95 should be stamped with NIOSH, as well as the company name, the model and lot numbers, and something called a TC approval number, which can be used to look up the mask on a list of approved ones. MR. COLLINS IS AN AEROSOL SCIENTIST AND PERSONALLY TESTS PARTICLE FILTRATION, WEAR, AND PROVIDES SOLID ADVICE ON CHOOSING AN APPROPRIATE PROTECTIVE MASK. Video on masking for kids under 12 and companion spreadsheet of tested kids masks from Aaron Collins (also a parent). ), No, unless you are outdoors at a sufficient distance. Therefore, the authenticity of the claims, that the product meets a particular international standard, cannot be validated. If you are getting fogging on your glasses, you need to improve the seal around your nose. A Mask Expert Dad Reveals the Masks He Buys for His Son - Business Insider But Fix The Mask only tested a few samples. There are likely many other N95 or better masks with special features or designs on the market, but here are several we are aware of. One sure sign of a counterfeit N95 mask is a claim or marking that it is FDA Approved. The FDA does not approve medical respirators. They cost much less per hour of use and an American College of Surgeons study revealed costs could be cut by about 90% by switching from N95s to elastomeric respirators. For the highest assurance of top quality, you should look for a mask made to the ASTM 2100 Level 2 or Level 3 standard. Theres no way to say for sure. Mask size, in millimeters. Some of them he has been gifted, but many of them he bought himself. While filter efficiency shows how well the filter media performs, users must ensure a proper fit is achieved. And people have questions! Six of them failed to filter at even half the standard. Castle provided us with laboratory test results that indicate its filters provide high filtration at over 95%. We made a short video to show you an easy way to search for a particular disposable respirator (e.g., N95, N99, etc.). If your mask has an adjustable strap, use it to obtain a tight fit. 1.4 Are these FAQs available in other languages? Aaron Collins tests these masks for filtration and fit himself. Some masks that are available with filters come in custom shapes so that it is often hard to put in an aftermarket filter that fits well. Obtaining NIOSH approval is a process that often takes many months. Do not use if the face mask is broken or with hole or leakage Wearing instruction (for 9501 earloop mask) 1. You can find that page here. N95 masks have dual headbands, so they're more likely to fit you well. How to Be Sure Your Face Mask Isn't a Counterfeit - Loss Prevention Media A number of resources have sprung up to help people navigate the mask-buying process. 2.0 Official CDC Mask Guidance 2.1 Should I wear a mask indoors even if I can distance? There are a disturbing number of counterfeit masks on the market that claim NIOSH certification as N95, N99, or other types of respirators. That said, these may provide good levels of filtration and fit comparable with double masking with a tight-fitting cloth mask over a good quality surgical mask. (If your mask has a GB number that ends in 2006, which is a previous standard, just check the expiration date.). There is no safe distance indoors. The initial cost for elastomerics aimed at the medical market typically ranges between $40 and $80. The CDC performed an experiment using headforms and a simulated cough by an unmasked person. Happy to report my husband was able to use a N95 Readimask during his MRI. He tweeted that it fits definitely better than KN94 (sic) or other options we tried., The Flo Mask is designed especially for kids. If you are looking for mask advice for kids 12 and under, this 20-minute video by Aaron Collins is an excellent introduction. has a guide for spotting fake N95s. The CDC recommends the use of mask fitters like the Fix the Mask brace. Heres. From the video you can get a better idea of how it fits to your face and how easy it is to talk. Some of the surgical style masks filter just as well as the certified ones. I used Collins' list to find a respirator that worked for my 7-year-old. The downside to this reusable mask is that even though it is a cloth mask on the outside and inside, you cant throw it in the laundry machines as that would reduce the efficiency of the special inner filter has an electrostatic charge which helps catch microscopic particles., . Of the 455 legitimate masks tested by NPPTL (excluding the 3M branded ones all of them met the standard), the average minimum filtration was 80.3%, well under the 95% standard. Perhaps they got a good lot. Aaron Collins tests masks on his YouTube page and compiles a spreadsheet of test results here. 8/9, Trevor Bedford (@trvrb) January 20, 2022. Aaron Collins, known as the Mask Nerd, . 9. Aaron Collins is a mechanical engineer with a background in aerosol science who tests and reviews masks on his Youtube channel. If a porous obstacle is put in the path of air that contains aerosols, some of the aerosols will end up in the obstacle. However, N95s do come in S/M sizes that might work for some older children. I didn't understand the entire paper. Aaron Collins is standing in his bathroom, holding a white mask to his face while stretching its straps to the back of his head. Project N95 is a nonprofit known for vetting its mask suppliers. In China, there is no regulator to check if the masks meet the claimed standard. Various 3D printer mask fitters (search online). 9.1 Teaching 9.2 Masks for retail sales employees and wait staff at restaurants 9.3 Clear Masks Communicating with deaf persons, use by persons using American Sign Language, or persons who need to convey facial expressions 9.4 Hair Salons. If you buy a surgical style mask from a drug store or hardware chain, you probably are getting a high filtration mask capable of filtering 85% to 90% or more of particles in the sizes that are thought to spread the virus in the air. For reasons we do not yet understand, this approval with use of the plug does not appear on the CDC/NIOSH certification list. The same paper found that either use of an ear saver type guard or claw hair clip to pull the earloops tighter behind the head produced similar FFE gains. N95 masks, the gold standard of personal protection, were nearly impossible to buy. The 'Mask Nerd' of Minneapolis wants you to be safe - Star Tribune Another sure sign of a fake is a mask with earloops. The mask comes in four sizes, also unusual for a respirator. Anyone can read what you share. Some impressive lab studies. The South Korean standard KF94 masks, on the other hand, performed better in testing than Collins expectedtypically greater than 98 percent filtration efficiency. , use of this information is at your own risk. Of the mask fitters on the market, we believe the Fix the Mask brace is the best for teaching. There are no affiliate links, and his channel is not monetized. However, some fake masks made in China may be labeled KF94, so shoppers still need to do their homework. The manufacturer claims this models design means more air flows in and out of the mask to allow for easier breathing. The company also claims the FlexFit design moves with your mouth for comfort all day long. Standard N95s often have difficulty maintaining a seal when the wearer speaks. Aaron Collins (@masknerd) is on Instagram Masks produced after July 1, 2021, bear the standard number GB2626-2019; masks produced before that date have the standard number GB2626-2006. COMMENTARY: What can masks do? Part 1: The science behind - CIDRAP The paper is entitled: "Pressure drop of filtering facepiece respirators: How low should we go?" If you wish to go the cloth route, you should read their review. If they fog up, you don't have a good fit. If a porous obstacle is put in the path of air that contains aerosols, some of the aerosols will end up in the obstacle. The US lacks a mask standard that applies to children - MSN The mask appears to provide a good fit and it publishes filtration. Respirators, when "worn properly" protect better than cloth or surgical masks, the CDC said. For example, I dislike rigid cup-shaped N95s, though Miller says many men prefer that style "for reasons I don't understand." In a New York Times interview with Zeynep Tufekci, she gave the following advice: Zeynep: I will give a modified version of what health care workers were advised during the worst of the shortages. Many cloth masks have filtration efficiencies well under 50%. Many of the construction market elastomeric masks resemble a gas mask, but these or the medical market masks are typically more comfortable and cheaper than an N95 if you use masks every day for work. If its too hard to breathe through your mask, more unfiltered air will rush in through the leaks in your mask. See Section 6.4 for details. . If you are using a disposable respirator mask for personal, not medical use, it is safe to reuse it. Of the 49 counterfeits, the average minimum filtration was just 45.9%, less than half the promised filtration. We recommend you use an N95 or similar grade mask. If you want a South Korean KF94 respirator, Collins says you can try online shops like Be Healthy USA and Kollecte USA. Those who have tried it say it conveys sound well. While I prefer N95s or elastomerics, most of the people I've managed to convince to upgrade have embraced KF94s. The other headform had the surgical mask hack of a knotted and tucked medical procedure mask. It found the receiver with the modified surgical mask, the receivers cumulative exposure was reduced by 64.5% compared to not wearing a mask. For N95 masks, go to the C.D.C.s alphabetical list of NIOSH-approved respirators. 4. the Mask Nerd and his YouTube videos. Many masks come with adjustable straps. You will damage the mask and possibly expose yourself to dangerous chemicals. To see it in action, Aaron Collins tested it here. The dilution will be greater with more time and space. Their product information page is full of useful information on how to protect healthcare workers. If you buy a KN95 at a national retail chain, the hope is that the chains buyers will insist on independent tests and get a mask that meets or comes close to the specifications. (scroll down to Appendix A) from October 15, 2020 is nice, but the February NPPTL report is more useful. While surgical masks provide very high filtration materials. If you can find a tight fitting and breathable cloth mask for your face, then combining it with a surgical mask should give you a substantial boost in protection. Aaron Collins goes by the "Mask Nerd" now that his unofficial job is reviewing face masks in his bathroom. Photo: Aaron Collins. The basic advice is to store it in a paper bag for a few days and reuse it. It only appears available from foreign suppliers, such as here.. Other clear masks on the market that we are aware of offer much worse fit and filtration. Unfortunately, it is hard to say for sure as the manufacturers dont provide data for both filtration and fit. Be Healthy. You may also see an N99 or N100 rated mask. Can I use the information here in other publications etc.? We recommend you watch their video to fit it properly. Metal parts, like nose pieces sometimes called nose clips or wires, nanoparticles (ultrafine particles), or antimicrobial coating that may contain metal (such as silver or copper), may become hot and burn the patient during an MRI. "These duckbill-style masks they look a little goofy, but it's incredibly breathable. If you want to know where Aaron bought each mask from: Look in the video description. Edit Aaron's top KF94 mask recommendations (as of late December) are in this video segment . The physics are well understood. 6.6 Risky Foreign-Made Masks (the Chinese KN95) 6.7 Elastomeric Masks 6.8 Consumer Grade Powered Air Purifying Respirators 6.9 Fancy N95, N99 and N100 Masks 6.10 Unique Designs Not in Any Other Category 6.11 Avoiding Fakes 6.12 Other Consumer Grade Better Masks Worth Considering 6.13 Other Resources To Find New Types of Better Masks