N95 Made in the USA

What is a respirator?

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

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What is an N95 respirator?

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.

What’s is the difference between an N-95 and a KN95?

The difference is:

N95  is tested, certified, and regulated in the US

KN95 is tested by Chinese manufacturers, but it is not regulated by the Chinese government

According to CNN:

Roughly 60% of KN95 respirators NIOSH evaluated during the pandemic in 2020 and 2021 didn’t meet the requirements they were intended to meet, according to the CDC.

What about 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.”

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What does “N” mean?

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. 

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How to identify authentic NIOSH – Approved respirators?

According to CNN:

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

Which respirator is the safest?

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.

Which mask is best for you, and when to use it? CNN

Dr. Abraar Karan, an internal medicine physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School says it here 

How do you properly put a respirator on?

WHO recommends: 

  • Before putting on a mask, wash hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water 

  • Cover mouth and nose with mask and make sure there are no gaps between your face and the mask

  • Avoid touching the mask while using it; if you do, clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water

  • Replace the mask with a new one as soon as it is damp and do not re-use single-use masks  

  • To remove the mask: remove it from behind (do not touch the front of a mask); discard immediately in a closed bin; wash hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.

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Conclusion:

Here you can find the safest N95 masks that meet my criteria:

  • N95 

  • NIOSH approved

  • MADE in the USA

  • no California Proposition 65 warning: That means they dont contain heavy metals like the 3M masks.