Susanna CellucciFounder
Published February 11, 2021 • Updated August 21, 2026
CDC: A respirator is a personal protective device that is worn on the face or head and covers at least the nose and mouth. A respirator is used to reduce the wearer’s risk of inhaling hazardous airborne particles (including infectious agents), gases or vapors. Respirators, including those intended for use in healthcare settings, are certified by the CDC/NIOSH
An N95 FFR is a type of respirator which removes particles from the air that are breathed through it. These respirators filter out at least 95% of very small (0.3 microns) particles. N95 FFRs are capable of filtering out all types of particles, including bacteria and viruses.
Surgical masks: A regular surgical mask will not help you with of Coronavirus. COVID-19. According to The Wall Street Journal : “If used properly, masks can at least help block some large droplets from sneezes and coughs. They can also prevent wearers from touching their noses and mouths if they are careful. But paper or polyurethane foam masks, also known as surgical masks, don’t filter out smaller particles. Reusable respirator masks, also called N95 masks, are considered by some to be best if they are fitted by a professional. In such cases they fit tightly, making it harder for particles to get through.”
In general, Respirators are rated “N,” if they are Not resistant to oil, “R” if somewhat Resistant to oil, and “P” if strongly resistant (oil Proof). You will need a face mask that is at least N95 or N99. The N rating – mask rated N95 or higher, means is that the respirator is rated to block 95% of airborne particles as small as (0.3 micron). It filters 95% of particulate matter including dust, smoke or viruses down to 0.3 microns in size. This can protect against the new coronavirus.
It is important to wear a protective mask properly. Fit these respirators around the nose, cheeks, and chin, ensuring that you don’t breathe around the edges of the respirator.
NIOSH has a list of approved N95 respirators. These masks should have a cup, flat fold or duck bill shape; two straps that go around your head; an adjustable wire nose bridge; and appropriate markings indicating NIOSH approval, the CDC says. You can verify the approval number on the NIOSH Certified Equipment List (CEL) or the NIOSH Trusted-Source page to determine if the respirator has been approved by NIOSH. NIOSH-approved FFRs will always have one the following designations: N95, N99, N100, R95, R99, R100, P95, P99, P100.
CDC Approved N95 Respirator Manufacturers List
WHO recommends:
Use a particulate respirator at least as protective as a US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)-certified N95, European Union (EU) standard FFP2, or equivalent.
The CDC’s NIOSH lists dozens of counterfeit masks being sold as N95 or NIOSH-approved masks on its website, and offers the following advice on how to be sure you are not buying a fraudulent product. You can verify the approval number on the agency’s equipment list or trusted-source page to determine if the respirator has been approved by NIOSH.
How TO properly put a respirator on
Conclusion:
Here you can find the safest N95 masks that meet my criteria:
Shop with my links to support my research! 💖
10% off code: PRETTYORGANICGIRL
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This is my number one recommendation. Made in the USA N95, Bona Fide Masks™ is an authorized distributor for DemeTECH. They handle all warehousing, distribution, and fulfillment out of our facility in New York. Supply chain security is one of our highest priorities.
The DemeTECH N95 Respirator Fold Style is manufactured using the highest quality materials.
The Mask is composed of 5 layers, with 2 filtration layers that filter >98% of all airborne particles.
DEMETECH - N95 NIOSH Approved Respirators (M/L) Box of 20 - Flat Fold DT-N95-FH
These face masks are made in the USA. Recommended during wildfires.
NIOSH Approval Number: TC-84A-9251
MATERIAL: Soft Inner Polypropylene Layer, High-Density Outer Polypropylene Layer. Made in the USA
NIOSH Approved N95 Respirator Mask - (NIOSH Approval Number: TC-84A-9315) - N95 mask certified for protection against 95% of non-oil based particles 0.3microns or larger.
✅ OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100
MADE IN USA* – Manufactured by BNX Converting LLC in Houston TX, a NIOSH/CDC Approved and Registered (Registration # 3017489417) manufacturer of N95 mask respirators.
Superior Protection & Breathability - Extremely breathable up to 50%+ more breathable than NIOSH minimum requirement.
Improved 3D design provides room for your mouth to move when you speak and greater compatibility with and reduced fog on eyewear.
Latex Free Enhanced Comfort and Secure Fit - Features latex-free and amazingly soft and durable headband straps as well as an adjustable metal nose piece to ensure a tight yet comfortable seal.
MATERIAL: OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100, made in the USA
This is the only shield to offer full-face protection against droplets and splashes. Plus it does not all the toxic foams of a typical face shield.
Plus, it is more hygienic since it won't rest on your forehead, and it is fully washable with water and mild soap.
They included an SPF 50 rating, so wearing Vue Shield is basically like putting on sunscreen on your whole face and wearing sunglasses. Full face protection.
To create a face shield that people would actually want to wear rather than simply put up with, Joe Doucet has designed a shield with integrated sunglass lenses and arms that make them more practical and feel less alien and intrusive on the wearer.
The CDC does not recommend using face shields or goggles as a substitute for masks.
It is designed to accommodate a face mask for those desiring ultra safety.
Clean and disinfect reusable face shields by following CDC face shield cleaning instructions. All Vue Shields are the same size: 24.5 x 16 x 7 cm.
MATERIAL: Vue Shield frames are made from polycarbonate, just like your sunglass and eyeglass frames, and the shield itself is made from the same PET as most other medical-grade face shields on the market.
In a world full of respirators made in China! Here it is the first Respirator 100% MADE IN THE USA.
Not only it is made here but it is also NIOSH - APPROVED
It feels safer to use respirators that are not made in China, in an e better environment, using better materials.
xYou will see when buying respirators on Amazon or at the store, they carry a safety warning called CALIFORNIA proposiiton'65 Warning which means that the respirators carry toxic material that exposes us to them.
MATERIAL Composition:
● Outer Layer: Acupuncture Cotton ● Filter: melt-blown non-woven ● Lining: Acupuncture Cotton ● Prop: Plastic galvanized iron wire ● Ring: Polypropylene loop ● String: Nylon string
I have them and I notice they don't have any toxic smell or fumes.
I recommend this mask for more crowded enveroment such as events, travel and school if you need to add more protection.
So far it is the only brand that makes N95 made in the USA for kids.
They couldn’t find an N95 for their kids, so they made the next best thing.
The Kid95 mask was made with the same materials, processes, and held to the same filtration and breathability standards as their adult N95 respirator, except smaller.
Their adult 1836 masks version are NIOSH Certified and you can check the certification here on the CDC website
Instead of ear loops that can hurt small ears, the Kid95 is made with a soft, no-snag and no-pull head straps. With protection in mind, we made the mask with the same soft liner found in our adult mask to form a comfortable seal on those smaller smiling faces.
When safety matters, the Kid95 offers the same reliability and protection as our 1836 N95 respirator.
SIZE: The Kid95 fits children best who are between 50 - 100 lbs.
MATERIAL: Latex-free, fiberglass free, gluten free, sulfite free, cholesterol free and dairy free, and their machinery doesn’t process nuts.Their masks are recyclible.
One strategy to mitigate the contact transfer of pathogens from the FFR to the wearer during reuse is to issue five respirators to each healthcare worker who may care for patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. The healthcare worker will wear one respirator each day and store it in a breathable paper bag at the end of each shift. The order of FFR use should be repeated with a minimum of five days between each FFR use.
To be sure that your respirators are complied with safety regulations, learn about these differentiations.
There are different kind of respirators around the world here is their technical specifications:
• N95 (United States NIOSH-42CFR84)
• FFP2 (Europe EN 149-2001)
• KN95 (China GB2626-2006)
• P2 (Australia/New Zealand AS/NZA 1716:2012)
• KN94 Korea 1st class (Korea KMOEL - 2017-64)
• DS (Japan JMHLW-Notification 214, 2018)
Fake respirators are products that are falsely marketed and sold as being NIOSH-approved and may not be capable of providing appropriate respiratory protection to workers.
Signs that a respirator may be counterfeit:
No markings at all on the filtering facepiece respirator
No approval (TC) number on filtering facepiece respirator or headband
No NIOSH markings
NIOSH spelled incorrectly
Presence of decorative fabric or other decorative add-ons (e.g., sequins)
Claims for of approval for children (NIOSH does not approve any type of respiratory protection for children)
Filtering facepiece respirator has ear loops instead of headbands
You can verify the approval number on the NIOSH Certified Equipment List (CEL) or the NIOSH Trusted-Source page to determine if the respirator has been approved by NIOSH. NIOSH-approved FFRs will always have one the following designations: N95, N99, N100, R95, R99, R100, P95, P99, P100.
I don't recommend these 3M Respirators, since it has the California Proposition 65 warning; that means it is toxic, plus it is cheaply made in China.
It smells bad, and who wants to breathe chemicals?
Also, 3M is the creator of PFAS, the forever chemicals found in Teflon. You can learn more here.
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