What You Need To Know About Using A N95 Mask And How To Clean It

N95 mask is also known as N95 filter respirator, which is an essential filter respirator that meets the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) national standard. A filter is used to control the number of airborne particulates (pollutant) in the air that one breathes. If you are exposed to large amounts of pollutants in the air (e.g. construction workers and factory workers have to wear masks to work, because the heavy particles they breathe make them sick), the respirators provide protection against the pollutants.

N95 masks also called dust masks, are usually worn by people who work with their eyes open (e.g. carpenters and painters), the respiratory system is at its most vulnerable state. It has been found that a worker working in an environment where he/she breathes in the dust or a particle is at a much higher risk of developing cancer. The risk increases up to three times that of someone breathing in the fresh outside air. This is why most construction workers wear a N95 mask while they work.

N95 mask can protect your lungs inside the N95 filter itself. There are two types of N95 filters. The first type is the full-face mask and the other type is the nose/mouthpiece mask.

In a full-face respirator (a full-faced mask that covers the entire nose), the N95 mask has a very powerful filter that can trap dangerous particles in the air. However, a lot of these N95 masks have problems like leakage because of the design of the face mask. Most of these N95 masks have a nosepiece and a disposable face shield that have to be worn when the wearer is working. To keep this kind of respirator working effectively, it is necessary for the wearer to replace the disposable face shield every now and then.

On the other hand, the disposable face shield does not function like a N95 mask. These disposable N95 masks have a paper-face that protects from particles and can be removed easily. However, when the wearer inhales through the mouthpiece, it can block the airflow into the lungs. For these kinds of respirators, it is important that you keep them away from heat, direct sunlight, and extreme cold. You should also make sure that the respirator's face shield can properly fit and move freely inside the respirator when you need to change its face shield.

One of the most common problems encountered by many people when using their N95 mask is the "spread" which is often caused by a lack of proper cleaning and maintenance. Most companies that sell N95 masks offer the cleaner to help ease the spread problem and to improve the overall performance of the masks. The N95 cleaner comes with a small brush and a dispenser. All you have to do is to spray the cleaner on the face mask and gently scrub it into the foam. By doing this, the spread is reduced and the N95 mask will continue to protect your health without experiencing any adverse reactions or smells. One can easily buy these masks from online stores like accumed.com.