We think, but cant prove, that these options will provide better protection than any of the options listed above. 1. The company provided us with NIOSH approval numbers TC-84A8448 and TC-84A9228 for the various configurations, including the valve plug. The science is clear, everyone should wear a mask during the pandemic. 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. Keep in mind that for websites like Amazon or eBay, there is not necessarily any vetting of vendors that claim to be selling NIOSH-approved products. FOR FURTHER KF94 INFORMATION, THE PEOPLE'S PPE STRONGLY RECOMMENDS AARON COLLINS' MASKS REVIEWS. You can place a surgical mask over the exhalation valve to provide some source control from your mask as illustrated below. Obtaining NIOSH approval is a process that often takes many months. The design is unique in that it allows unusual movement of the mouth when speaking compared to other respirators. Collins, the Mask Nerd, has created a number of lists and resources for mask buyers. Valved versions are available at Lowes and Tractor Supply. Collins also compiles a spreadsheet on masks for kids, which you can access here. Thats similar to an N95, but with higher filtration efficiency and better fit. But if you want a mask that offers improved protection, you should avoid wearing either a cloth mask or surgical mask alone. . You can access the. These were written by the volunteer staff of Masks4All. In his free time, he makes YouTube videos in which he tests and reviews. So if you want to provide the best protection for yourself, you need to remove facial hair so your mask can create a good seal. Weve seen plenty of politicians on TV who have no clue how to wear an N95. I noticed recently that the masks I received from SourceOrtho appear to have slight visible differences from the masks in the test pictures. This suggests that (in general) it is easier for end-users to form a face seal with an elastomeric than a disposable. (Emphasis added.). Aaron Collins has tested three Powecoms and all provided claimed filtration or better. Lack of visible condensation does not mean zero leakage, but does give a good indication of relative fit. The problem with buying a KN95 is that it is difficult to know if you have a good one that meets the standard or not. If you use a cloth mask alone, the CDC recommends two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric. However, we dont recommend double masking with two cloth masks with two or more layers of fabric. One way to protect yourself from this and other potentially harmful mutations is to wear a better mask. Dec 30, 2021 All my data is available at this Google Drive link. Simply try wearing your cloth mask over a surgical mask. It only appears available from foreign suppliers, such as here. They ship to the USA and the cost is about $56 (converting pound sterling into dollars) including shipping. Various 3D printer mask fitters (search online). One mask discussed in the post provided a similar (low quality) seal on two sisters but another mask provided 94% total filtration for one sister and just 73% for the other. N95 fold style masks and KN95 masks. If a mask has NIOSH certification, then you have the highest assurance of testing and quality. A mechanical engineer by day, Collins' master's degree research focused on aerosols. pic.twitter.com/yDMHqkxZYp, Amanda Hu (@amandalhu) December 20, 2021. Thats because, if worn correctly, an N95 mask provides a much tighter fit. If you dont care about style, the 3M VFlex 9105 has pleats that flex with mouth movement while talking, and it is economical. If you do go this route, we recommend you choose a mask found by the, to come with a relatively effective but breathable filter. A mask that fits a friend or even a sibling well might not fit your face well. This model appears to have some folds in the filtering material, which, if true, would provide more filtering area. Here is the official NIOSH guidance regarding facial hair, which is available here. However these standards will not evaluate fit, which as explained above, is vitally important to getting full protection from your filtering materials. The results of any filter penetration test can only be used to provide a check of the products filter efficiency. Earloop masks. In many cases, the masks will eventually get certification. We recommend you use an N95 or similar grade mask. 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. These small droplets and aerosols can contain enough viruses to infect you. testing KF94 and other masks. The Wirecutter review indicated that the Kitsbow solid, Cottonique Elite and Baggu masks were the most breathable among the favorite masks they tested. Moldex makes a variety of N95 masks with extra features beyond the standard disposable respirator. Collins, a self-professed "mask nerd" who publishes mask testing data and resources on his YouTube channel and Twitter feed, says there are ways to avoid buying low-quality products. We recommend you watch their video to fit it properly. The advantage of a PAPR is that it is exceptionally easy to breathe compared to other HiFi masks. Remember, if the mask doesnt fit tightly, it wont protect you well. As noted in https://tinyurl.com/FAQ-aerosols: Like other recommendations, these social distance rules will reduce risk, but not eliminate it. (Emphasis added. I dont work for (or with) them and they dont pay me.. (without valves) The company provides evidence of high filtration levels (over 95%) and claims breathability of no worse than 7.8 mm H2O/cm2 (its, showed all of the five samples tested at under 6.3 with most at 5.0). These links to resources on masks, videos, and comments by researchers (the Content) are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice. By that, we mean its possible you could get better protection than someone else wearing a genuine KN95 or KF94. Disposable respirator masks are supposed to be disposed of after one use by medical professionals. This presents a challenge for many health professionals for faith groups such as Sikh, Muslim and Jewish groups. Could one be really careful and make that two months? If you buy from one of the stores listed by the manufacturer, that will provide substantial protection against getting a fake mask. If you are using a disposable respirator mask for personal, not medical use, it is safe to reuse it. No other mask beats the mask for style. Another option to consider is a filter made from the same material as a surgical mask, such as this or this, if your mask has a filter pocket but no custom shaped filter. If you are getting fogging on your glasses, you need to improve the seal around your nose. On Feb. 13, 2021, the CDC announced new guidance titled Improve the Fit and Filtration of Your Mask to Reduce the Spread of COVID-19., The same day, the CDC released Improve How Your Mask Protects You.. Remember that the best mask filtration material wont do you much good if your mask doesnt fit your face well. 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. Thats why NIOSH certified elastomerics typically have an exhalation valve. The company provided a video showing it passing a hospital-grade fit test on an adult. , Tying the ear loops and tucking in the corners of the procedure mask to minimize gaps in the sides of the mask increased the mean (SD) FFE to 60.3% from 38.5%. The company says it is in the process of obtaining NIOSH certification: 3Ms 6000 series comes in three sizes and offers two-way filtration when fitted with the 3M Exhalation Valve Filter 604. 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. Having ~40% of the population infected by a single pathogen in the span of 8 weeks is remarkable and I cant think of an obvious modern precedent. As of February 17, 2021 these appear to have up to an 8-week lead time for orders. 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. If you have a cloth mask that already fits well on your face, and has a nose wire, there is no need to buy a new one. This provides no assurance of high filtration quality. If its too hard to breathe through your mask, more unfiltered air will rush in through the leaks in your mask. Six of them failed to filter at even half the standard. Of the 49 counterfeits, the average minimum filtration was just 45.9%, less than half the promised filtration. 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. And likely much better than the protection given to clean-shaven people wearing a surgical mask or standard cloth mask. 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, Presence of decorative fabric or other decorative add-ons (e.g., sequins), Claims for the of approval for children (NIOSH does not approve any type of respiratory protection for children), Filtering facepiece respirator has ear loops instead of headbands. There is no safe distance indoors. ), Recent coronavirus mutations appear to be much more transmissible. A one-size-fits-all mask may well not fit you well. Keep in mind that the research paper only tested one person, so your face, and fit and FFE, may differ substantially. the filtration efficiencies of 31 masks from 21 manufacturers. Even though surgical masks made to the ASTM level 2 or 3 standard can filter over 95% of the particle sizes you wish to remove, the loose fit brings their fitted filtration efficiency (FFE) down to about 38.1% (ear loop version) to 71.5% (with head ties), according to this study. . This study did not specify the quality of the procedure mask used. Mask Testing and Review. 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. The company says the mask can last more than a month under typical urban-wear conditions. The website provides cleaning and disinfection instructions. Note, some of the links below go to another excellent document, FAQs on Protecting Yourself from COVID-19 Aerosol Transmission (at https://tinyurl.com/FAQ-aerosols), which we recommend you review. It is almost impossible to say. However, it is not clear how well it fits. Whereas in a study published by the American Medical Association, the differences were less pronounced, 92.2% of participants passed fit testing with elastomerics compared to 88.5% using disposable N95. Keep in mind these studies were conducted on healthcare professionals, so your likelihood of getting a proper fit is probably worse. If you find you can breathe easily, then chances are this option is fine. Aaron Collins - YouTube Please note that the translation is by machine, not a person. Aaron Collins interview with MaskLab : Masks4All - Reddit If it does that, the improvements from the higher filtration may well be offset by an increase in unfiltered air. on the box itself and/or within the users instructions). Some people think filtration effectiveness is based on how small the holes are in the material, but thats not how cloth or high tech materials work. At least one user, who is expert on masks and has bought many masks of all kinds, confirms it transmits sound very well, perhaps the best of any mask with its level of protection. As noted above, use of this information is at your own risk. Keep in mind that the research paper only tested one person, so your face, and fit and FFE, may differ substantially. Use a pair of clean (non-sterile) gloves when donning a used N95 respirator and performing a user seal check. CDC recommends the use of a mask fitter in its official Feb. 13, 2021 guidance titled Improve How Your Mask Protects You. A recent CDC research paper said that results [from another study] indicated that when fitters are secured over a medical procedure mask, they can potentially increase the wearers protection by 90% for aerosols in the size range considered to be the most important for transmitting SARS-CoV-2 (generally <10 m).. Avoid touching the inside of the respirator. A quick run down of my top mask picks as of right now(well technically about 2 weeks ago as that's when I shot this).Google Drive Data: https://drive.google.. The Fix The Mask. This information on mask options is difficult to find in one place.. How to check to see if your mask is providing a good fit. The Dentec Safety Comfort-AirNxMD also has NIOSH approval and comes in two sizes and two colors, white and black. The initial cost for elastomerics aimed at the medical market typically ranges between $40 and $80. Experts recommend this strategy for double masking to increase your overall fitted filtration efficiency (FFE), a way of measuring how well the mask performs for fit and filtration. The problem with surgical masks is they dont provide a tight fit. The CDC confirms that mask fitters work. If inadvertent contact is made with the inside of the respirator, discard the respirator and perform hand hygiene as described above. 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. NIOSH has a not very user friendly website where you can check if the mask is on its certified list. , if your mask has a filter pocket but no custom shaped filter. We hope this will allow more informed decision making by individuals or organizations. As a result many KN95s dont meet the standards specifications. However, there is one exception the Savewo Smile, which appears to be made out of high filtration materials to the Korean KF94 mask standard. However, it is not clear how well it fits. to alert users, purchasers, and manufacturers. Should I wear a mask indoors even if I can distance? There is at least one report from a mask expert that it has considerable leakage around the nose. We only ask that you give the link. This study did not specify the quality of the procedure mask used. They cost much less per hour of use and an American College of Surgeons, revealed costs could be cut by about 90% by switching from N95s to elastomeric respirators. If you want to double mask, we suggest picking from one of these four masks to find the best fit for your face, then wearing a quality surgical mask underneath it to provide effective filtration. The fact any KN95 was on the last FDA list (scroll down to Appendix A) from October 15, 2020 is nice, but the February NPPTL report is more useful. Ready for an N95? Here's how to find a high-quality one that - WCBE 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. We will indicate which ones have at least listed data on their websites indicating high levels of fit and filtration. Collins also recommends Armbrust, a company that sells medical-grade masks made in the U.S. by itself and various manufacturers. The Airgami, which is profiled above here, has several features that may make it especially suitable for teaching. We recommend you purchase the headband version, not the earloop version. 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. We recommend you review the CDC page with the agencys official mask guidance. Improve the Fit and Filtration of Your Mask to Reduce the Spread of COVID-19. Top Picks - the People'S Ppe New testing video (and updated spreadsheet) from Aaron Collins No conclusions can be made regarding equivalency to N95 products that are NIOSH approved. 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. Additionally, an abbreviated approval is on the FFR itself. The Better Mask High Filtration System, a combination of a mask brace (available in small, medium, and large) and 30 high-quality surgical masks, is another good option. On February 2, 2021 the National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) published International Assessments for many foreign made masks, including KN95s. Thats because some cloth masks provide a good fit while a surgical mask provides high filtration. He's been testing masks in this bathroom. Thats the mask doctors and nurses wear when treating COVID patients. Face masks and children. Are masks safe for kids? - 4C Air This helps the wearer speak more naturally and with more confidence that their mask wont slip off when speaking relatively loudly. But the clear message is with one of these hacks you can improve your overall filtering efficiency by over 20 percentage points, or an improvement of about 50%. This video below is a great illustration of the importance of fit. Below are two of the many colors available. 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. Here is a spreadsheet by Collins, which summarizes his results. See our explanation above for more info. It appears the minimum purchase size is 50 in a box, but this option may well be the most affordable mask that offers N95 protection while talking. Dont send tweets, emails or DMs as we cant keep track of questions or suggestions that way. Rotating a few is enough for disinfection. Some cloth masks provide good fit, but surgical masks have a loose fit. If you must fly on long flights, an elastomeric is also a great option that should provide excellent protection and comfort and not look too strange. But an N95 mask will do a better job of protecting you. It primarily illustrates how exhaled air can leak from masks. with Zeynep Tufekci, she gave the following advice: I found a mistake, or would like something to be added or clarified, can you do that? Not only will you better protect yourself, but you will also help better protect your community, your country, and the world. . 1.3 I found a mistake, or would like something to be added or clarified, can you do that? Those are the gold-standard in the U.S., says Aaron Collins. Some minimum KN95s filtration results were under 26%! . 2/ Take first one out and place it directly in from of mask. Collins, an aerosol expert, compiled a list of the best child-sized masks to protect against COVID-19. The combination almost certainly produces better results than either type of mask can produce on its own. Aaron Collins @masknerd New video out for parents wondering about my Kid's Mask Summary Spreadsheet. If half the air goes around your 99% filter your effective filtration falls to less than 50%. If you want to have a good possibility of effective filtration assurance in the 80% to 90% range or better, youll need to get one of the better mask options described in Section 6. He joins "CBS. You are welcome to use any of this as you see fit. The manufacturers of the following masks have confirmed to us that the following masks have no metal parts. How to identify a NIOSH-approved respirator: NIOSH-approved respirators have an approval label on or within the packaging of the respirator (i.e. It is one of the few masks that come in multiple sizes, including small The comfort comes at a higher price, $6.99 each or $$37 for a box of 10. A mask fitter fixes the surgical mask to get a tight fit such that you can effectively get N95 level protection if you use a well constructed mask brace and a high quality surgical mask. The thattha is an under-mask beard cover. . Aaron's Google spreadsheet of test results includes links to suppliers. DISPOSABLE KF94 (PFE = 94% AT 0.4 MICRONS), 3D STYLE KF94 MASKS ARE RECOMMENDED AS THEY CREATE A FACIAL SEAL, MANY DIFFERENT STYLES TO CHOOSE FROM AT AFFORDABLE PRICES, MULTIPLE SIZES AVAILABLE (LARGE, MEDIUM, AND CHILD), HALO HEADGEAR (PICTURED ON FEMALE MODEL) & VALVE PLUG COME STANDARD WITH STARTER KITS, SHIPS FROM SOUTH KOREA (CONSIDER SHIPPING TIME AND CUSTOMS), COMES WITH ANTI-FAKE STICKER TO ENSURE RELIABILITY, ALTERNATIVE AIR QUEEN STYLE THE NANO MASK, DISPOSABLE NANOFIBER RESPIRATOR, 6 LAYERS, AFFORDABLE, COMFY, SOFT MASK THAT BREATHES EASILY, PFE = >95% AT 0.3 MICRONS (FILTI IS APPLYING FOR NIOSH N95 CERTIFICATION), MULTIPLE STYLES AND SHIELD SIZES AVAILABLE, REPLACEABLE SHIELDS THAT SNAP ON, INCLUDING ONE FOR MEDICAL LOUPES, UV-C SANITIZES ANYTHING YOU PUT INSIDE IT (LARGE ENOUGH FOR IPAD PRO), KILLS 99.9% OF GERMS (INCLUDING COLD AND FLU VIRUSES), IMPROVES SURGICAL MASKS BY MAKING THEM AIR TIGHT, CAN ALSO BE USED TO REINFORCE SEAL OF N95s. It was one of 10 Phase 1 winners in the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority Mask Innovation Challenge:Building Tomorrows Mask. It costs $50 with five filters. It primarily illustrates how exhaled air can leak from masks. The CDC recommends the use of mask fitters like the Fix the Mask brace. There is no need to ask permission. 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. It is one of the few masks that come in multiple sizes, including small. The mask comes in four sizes, also unusual for a respirator. Better Masks: Options and FAQs - #Masks4All The most protective disposable masks for kids appear to be the KF94 masks from Korea. This disposable mask respirator has a soft silicone seal that likely makes it more comfortable than a standard disposable N95. shows the difference between ASTM Levels 1, 2 and 3. Top KF94 & KN95 Mask Picks -Aaron Collins : r/Masks4All - Reddit One mask they tested, the Zubrex, did just as well as the masks built to pass one of the ASTM 2100 standards. National. Many cloth masks have filtration efficiencies well under 50%. Another concern is that many of the filters that come with masks are made out of low quality filtration materials. A link to the Aaron Collins mask review / recommendation - Reddit Do not share your mask with someone else. A better mask will provide better filtration and fit than a basic cloth mask, better protecting you from inhaling aerosols and droplets containing viruses. There is at least one report from a mask expert that it has considerable leakage around the nose. Nice to see some quantitative assessments to go along with my qualitative analyses. These masks are now in plentiful supply and N95s provide much better protection than cloth masks. The latest Wirecutter ratings included 25 cloth face masks and filter inserts for independent filtration-efficiency and breathability testing at an academic research lab. But again, keep in mind the study only tested the filtration efficiency of the materials and does NOT account for the fit of the masks. If you need to wear an N95 mask for work, youre not allowed to have a beard or facial hair that would interfere with getting your mask a tight seal. Any mask will be better than no mask. worth consulting if you plan to reuse your N95 or another disposable respirator. Higher tech materials, which are usually made out of a meltblown polypropylene layer, can do a much better job of filtering the smaller particles. While NIOSH does have a page with known fakes, keep in mind counterfeits come out faster than the government can list them. Flu seasons generally have perhaps 10% infected in the span of 16 weeks. Most of these products have an ear loop design. "Mask Nerd" Aaron Collins on which masks offer the best protection If you are looking for mask advice for kids 12 and under, this 20-minute video by Aaron Collins is an excellent introduction. We recommend you print out this. It will transmit sound better than most N95s, but offers close to N95 protection. Handle them gently, because a good fit is essential to getting the most out of it. , which will provide consumers with some basic information on filtration efficiency of cloth masks. So that's like filtration efficiency to my face and. See the figure below from Science.. If you know the NIOSH approval number, go to this part of the NIOSH website and you can check on the approval. If you buy at Amazon or eBay, you are probably even less likely to have confidence in the quality you are getting. You can also go to big-box stores like Home Depot and Lowes,. Aaron Collins, aka "Mask Nerd," is a mechanical engineer at Seagate Technology with a background in aerosol science. Alternatively, you may be able to cut the earloops in the middle and then tie them to use as headbands. 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 mask should cover your nose to block aerosols coming out of it and block any that you might breathe in from the air around you. (This answer is from, unless you are outdoors at a sufficient distance. The filtration quality is identical for those two standards. Yes. 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. The quality control for KN95s is so lacking that in October 2020. that the agency is concerned that certain filtering facepiece respirators (respirators) from China may not provide consistent and adequate respiratory protection. As such it would no longer update its emergency use list, which had specified KN95s. It likely does not transmit your voice as well as the Airgami, but many people believe it transmits speaking better than any elastomeric mask. [T]en respirators were submitted for evaluation. The paper did not specify which model of the Easy Mask was tested this is our best guess by examining the paper and the Easy Mask website descriptions of their mask options. Cloth masks can give decent protection, but the protection you can get varies widely. The video in this tweet is an excellent explanation of how to use fold style N95 mask or KN95 mask.