Table of Contents
I. WHO Resources
III. Supporting Articles and Research
IV. N95 Alternatives
I. WHO Resources
- Advice on the use of masks in the context of COVID-19
- How to Perform a Particulate Respirator Seal Check
III. Supporting Articles and Research
IV. N95 Alternatives
- Elastomeric Half-Mask and Full Facepiece Respirators
This webpage provides resources for N95 respirators.
The CDC recommends that N95 respirators should be reserved for those personnel at the highest risk of contracting or experiencing complications of infection. Where feasible, use alternatives to N95 respirators (e.g., other classes of filtering facepiece respirators, elastomeric half-mask and full facepiece air purifying respirators, powered air purifying respirators). |
|
WHO created detailed guidance on the use of face masks in light of COVID-19. The document also includes information on what design features should be present in masks, as well as who should be using what type of mask and when.
|
|
|
This technical guide on N95 Respirators provides general information, design and testing criteria, and regulatory requirements.
Draft Technical Guidance: N95 Respirator
N95s Explained
|
N95DECON is a volunteer collective of scientists, engineers, clinicians, and students from universities across the US as well as other professionals in the private sector. N95DECON seeks to review, collate, publish, and disseminate scientific information about N95 decontamination to help inform decisions about N95 decontamination and reuse.
|
Article: NIOSH-Approved Particulate Filtering Facepiece Respirators [CDC]
- This site provides a listing of NIOSH-approved particulate filtering facepiece respirators. There are seven classes of filters for NIOSH-approved filtering facepiece respirators available at this time. Ninety-five percent is the minimal level of filtration that will be approved by NIOSH. The N, R, and P designations refer to the filter’s oil resistance.
Article: N95 Respirators, Surgical Masks, and Face Masks [FDA]
- This document describes the differences among N95 respirators, surgical masks and face masks as well as provides information on decontaminating respirators and general N95 precautions.
Article: Recommended Guidance for Extended Use and Limited Reuse of N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirators in Healthcare Settings [CDC]
- This document recommends practices for extended use and limited reuse of NIOSH-certified N95 filtering facepiece respirators (commonly called “N95 respirators”). The recommendations are intended for use by professionals who manage respiratory protection programs in healthcare institutions to protect health care workers from job-related risks of exposure to infectious respiratory illnesses.
Article: Health experts discouraging people from wearing N95 respirator masks [Mayo Clinic Health Systems]
- Health experts are expressing concern over the N95 respirator masks, which have a breathing valve. The air you breathe in is filtered, but the air you exhale is not, putting others at risk.
Use NIOSH approved alternatives to N95 respirators where feasible. These include other classes of filtering facepiece respirators, elastomeric half-mask and full facepiece air purifying respirators, and powered air purifying respirators (PAPRs). All of these alternatives will provide equivalent or higher protection than N95 respirators when properly worn.
|
|
Elastomeric Half-Mask and Full Facepiece Respirators
|
Link: N95 Elastomeric Half-Mask Respirators [CDC]
Elastomerics have replaceable filters with either a washable (able to be cleaned and disinfected), or even a disposable (rubber-like) facepiece. These types of respirators are also approved using the same protection classification as filtering facepiece respirators. They are available as both half-masks, fitting under the chin and only covering the nose and mouth, and full facepieces, which have a clear lens that covers the eyes as well as the nose and mouth. |