2023 The American Society of Mechanical Engineers. 5 Popular Applications for Design for Additive Manufacturing. Remember that COVID is Airborne, so you want N95 or equivalent. We interviewed mask manufacturers, importers, public health officials and independent researchers for advice on choosing a quality mask. The Savewo Smile, which appears to be made out of high filtration materials to the Korean KF94 mask standard, is a step down in protection from the Canopy, but by far the next best option available. Do not use if the face mask is broken or with hole or leakage Wearing instruction (for 9501 earloop mask) 1. The initial cost for elastomerics aimed at the medical market typically ranges between $40 and $80. While I prefer N95s or elastomerics, most of the people I've managed to convince to upgrade have embraced KF94s. The Fix The Mask testing indicated the Outdoor Research mask was the most breathable. All these respirators are a huge step up in protection from a basic cloth mask, but they're not all created equal. NIOSH-approved FFRs will always have one the following designations: N95, N99, N100, R95, R99, R100, P95, P99, P100. Thats because, if worn correctly, an N95 mask provides a much tighter fit. You can also go to big-box stores like Home Depot and Lowes, says Collins. Aaron measures various numbers for each mask: Filtration efficiency, on his own face. These were written by the volunteer staff of Masks4All. The air inside your mask is also at a much lower temperature. Some dont even try to meet the standards. The company website shows test results, and the company claims, with Nelson Lab test results to document it, exceptional filtration and breathability. Wirecutter, a product review site owned by The New York Times, has a guide for buying quality masks, one for buying childrens masks and a list of 12 red flags that might signal your mask is a counterfeit. Remember, if the mask doesnt fit tightly, it wont protect you well. It comes in 16 different colors, and one is shown below. Many trusted sites are overwhelmed by demand right now, so you may encounter delays in fulfillment and shipping times. The cost is $30 complete with an initial set of five filters, which are rated for 32 hours or one week. created these lists early in the pandemic, when the agency issued an emergency use authorization that allowed health workers to use KN95 masks because of a shortage of N95s. See our explanation above for more info. The masks come in four sizes and have a nose wire. Rotating a few is enough for disinfection. N95s are strapped to your head with headbands, which give them a snug fit and with masks, a tight fit is key to better protection. N95s are made to U.S. government standards put out by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and are rigorously tested, so they're a reliable choice. The Airgami, which is profiled above here, has several features that may make it especially suitable for teaching. He has a set of testing apparatus which helps him to do the testing. confidant to Michael Collins and Tom Clarke, about his role in the War of Independence and later the Civil War. YES, Is it OK to just wear the mask over my mouth and leave my nose out? If employee appearance is important to a store or restaurant manager, the Airgami is clearly the top choice. Filters cost as little as $1.50 each in packs of 50. ASTM rated surgical masks are also made out of high quality filtration materials. It will transmit sound better than most N95s, but offers close to N95 protection. And of those that do submit fit test data, not all submit data for each of NIOSHs 10 face sizes. Also, if you think youve found a mask that appears to offer high levels of protection, but is not listed, please let us know. At the top left of the page, there is a pull down menu where you can select a different language. My pressure drop measurement is not great so take that with a grain of salt (0.05 typ). testing KF94 and other masks. NIOSH has a not very user friendly website where you can check if the mask is on its certified list. Thats excellent for a cloth mask. According to this research paper, 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%. Video review of mask fitters by MaskNerd Aaron Collins. Try tightening up the nose band or straps, or try another style of mask. Whether or not the mask collapses when you breathe in. Go figure. Aaron doesn't test kids' KN95 / KF94 masks. If you cant place a surgical mask over the valve, another option is to plug or cover the valve, which is likely fine for short term use such as shopping. Collins is a mechanical engineer not a medical professional, he emphasized but he has studied aerosols and aerosol instrumentation. If the number is too high, the mask can be harder to breathe through. This disposable mask respirator has a soft silicone seal that likely makes it more comfortable than a standard disposable N95. The same study also reported that After a month of use, no one wearing an elastomeric mask chose to return to an N95 mask.. A summary table of the numeric data can generally be found in the thumbnails of his videos. All rights reserved. There is an excellent information page on the mask here at Avery Dennison Medicaland at ReadiMask. Here is a tweet with a letter from the maker of the ReadiMask attesting to its suitability for an MRI. The results of any filter penetration test can only be used to provide a check of the products filter efficiency. His test-results spreadsheet is here . 33. r/Masks4All. One way to protect yourself from the Omicron variants and other potentially harmful variants in the future is to wear a better mask. This presents a challenge for many health professionals for faith groups such as Sikh, Muslim and Jewish groups. 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. With a rise in the delta variant, school mask mandates and recommendations from major medical groups that all children. That guidance in part states the following: As explained in https://tinyurl.com/FAQ-aerosols, masks work to reduce the aerosol spread of COVID-19. If you must use Amazon, try to shop directly in the on-site stores of mask makers like 3M or Kimberly-Clark. A one-size-fits-all mask may well not fit you well. (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). "I wouldn't just buy random stuff on Amazon," he says. This may be especially true for N95 masks, which come in different shapes, with cone/cup, v-fold, duckbill being the most common. The mask provides two way filtration. As we learn of more, well add them here. That said, most people who want to wear a better mask arent necessarily looking for medical-grade protection. Jennifer Swanson/NPR Its not easy, but the C.D.C. The filtration quality is identical for those two standards. This number shows how well the mask filters out unwanted particles. Carbon dioxide is not a silent killer like carbon monoxide. I used Collins' list to find a respirator that worked for my 7-year-old. The N95 protects you better because it provides a tight fit on your face. As noted above, use of this information is at your own risk. The samples were tested using a modified version of NIOSH Standard Test Procedure Only particulate filter efficiency was assessed. indicated the Outdoor Research mask was the most breathable. 2. More high-quality mask options for kids of all ages can be found on a spreadsheet where Collins compiled the best ones he tested . 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 Wirecutter regularly publishes updated reviews of what they consider the best cloth masks on the market. So to get a better mask, its just as important, if not more important, to get a tight fit. Before you buy a box of 50 or more of a particular brand, you may want to try to buy one or get a sample if possible. The white one can be easily labeled with a marker so people can keep track of their masks and provide caring and cheerful messages to patients. Some people dislike mask collapse; others don't mind it. One-of-a-kind protective ASTM F2100 Level 3 fashion masks and EN 149 FFP2 respirators, featuring designers from all over the world. The best cloth masks have difficulty achieving more than 50% filtration efficiency for the smaller droplets and aerosols that can contain viruses. You might get a better fit from a different size or even different type of mask. They wouldn't fit his face, so the efficiency testing would fail miserably. Another concern is that many of the filters that come with masks are made out of low quality filtration materials. Its also good to use hand-sanitizer before putting them on and taking them off. But if I were wearing one all day, every workday, Id consider having one for each day and replacing them maybe every month. 28K views 1 year ago Self-described "Mask Nerd" Aaron Collins is an aerosol scientist who tests masks in his home laboratory and rates their ability to filter out aerosol. Many people who are getting a poor fit fail to adjust their ear or head straps. pic.twitter.com/SJfkMoWjZ1, curiouser and curiouser (@SueSueCurious) January 13, 2022, We strongly recommend you read this excellent document by 3M, which is titled Filtering Facepiece Respirators FAQ: General Public., It covers the following topics: 1) Respirators vs. Editor's Note: Part 1 of a two-part commentary explains the differences in cloth face coverings and surgical masks, the science of respiratory protection, and the hierarchy of disease controls.Part 2, to be published tomorrow, will outline what makes a good mask study and why so many fail.. Dr Brosseau is a national expert on respiratory protection and infectious diseases and a research . Look for masks that come in different sizes and consider different designs. BOTN Black, White, Color, 2D, 3D & Size Mix & Match - KF94 - 100pcs $300.00 $130.00 -40% -25% Some Covid masks are better than others. Masks protect the wearer, study. Whereas in a. 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. Collins, an aerosol expert, compiled a list of the best child-sized masks to protect against COVID-19. And likely much better than the protection given to clean-shaven people wearing a surgical mask or standard cloth mask. Some impressive lab studies. For protection against viruses, N is all you need. . Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. This provides no assurance of high filtration quality. has a guide for spotting fake N95s. Avoid touching the inside of the respirator. Unfortunately, current federal regulations provide no pathway for rapidly certifying consumer grade protection or emergency use testing to certify these HiFi masks as meeting N95 level standards. If a manufacturer starts making shoddy masks, NIOSH will yank approval. Aaron Collins, a Minnesota-based mechanical engineer, who wrote his master's thesis on the science of aerosols and calls himself a "citizen scientist," has been reviewing masks on his . 8/9, Trevor Bedford (@trvrb) January 20, 2022. Eighteen of them flunked, about 42%. The KF stands for Korean filter, and the 94 means it filters 94 percent of particles. Follow the employers maximum number of donnings (or up to five if the manufacturer does not provide a recommendation) and recommended inspection procedures. It is a key technology in the development of personalized medicine. Privacy and Security Statement Aaron Collins' Kids's Masks Spreadsheet. That said, these may provide good levels of filtration and fit comparable with double masking with a tight-fitting cloth mask over a good quality surgical mask. Show this thread 23 Show replies KF94 is a South Korean standard, and those respirators are regulated by the South Korean government. Preliminary data suggests that the outward leakage from exhalation valves is less than or comparable to that of many devices being used for source control (e.g., cloth masks, bandanas, surgical masks). This might make it difficult to breathe and may not produce high FFE. If you are using a disposable respirator mask for personal, not medical use, it is safe to reuse it. The KF94 is a high-quality mask that folds flat and is made in Korea. So far, he's made approximately three review videos. The KF94 wont be stamped with text, but the package should say Made in Korea and include the product name, manufacturer and distributor name. regularly updates its page on better masks and has many useful links and videos. It may take some time and trial and error to find a good match for you. This study, published in the Journal of Hospital Infection, used a flat elastic rubber sheet (Pilates & Yoga Elastic band) with good results. Please see Section 5.3 for information on how to find a good quality surgical mask to pair with your mask fitter/brace. 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. Parents searching for good respirator options for their children can check out the work of Aaron Collins, aka "Mask Nerd," a mechanical engineer with a background in aerosol science. The problem with a valve is such a mask provides less protection for people around you and people may be upset at you if you wear a mask with a valve. N95s come in different shapes and sizes these days. Where can I buy a legitimate one? 3-ply disposable face mask, you can still carefree breathing. It comes in three sizes and has a P100 option. I know - I . Coronavirus FAQ: Why are some folks hacking home COVID tests by swabbing their throat. Anyone who has shopped for a mask online or in stores has discovered a dizzying array in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. A mechanical engineer by trade, the Minnesota resident has made a. Legitimate N95s and KN95s are required to have specific text stamped on the front of the mask. It is not NIOSH approved, though the company says it is working toward approval. Our best guess is that FFE from 70% to 90% might be achievable with such a strategy. You can also look up the TC approval number using the certified equipment list. She says KN95s typically have a two- or three-year shelf life. Higher tech materials, which are usually made out of a meltblown polypropylene layer, can do a much better job of filtering the smaller particles. Just let them rest for a few days in a non-airtight container (like a paper bag or a Tupperware container with holes) and replace one only when it no longer fits well or the elastics have gone soft, or if it is soiled. If it is too hard to breathe, try one of the cloth masks rated highly for breathability and see if it gives you a good fit. The CDC confirms that mask fitters work. Video on masking for kids under 12 and companion spreadsheet of tested kids masks from Aaron Collins (also a parent). In the United States we have NIOSH to check if masks meet the standard or not. Although you may find one in a fun color, masks that are printed with fancy designs or dont have text stamped on them are probably fake. If you get one of these construction/industrial masks, you only need to buy and install a particulate filter. Don't know where to start? Aaron Collins, a scientist with a background in aerosol science, has been reviewing a variety of masks, including N95, to find the most effective, comfortable, and durableessentially taking. The. . The combination almost certainly produces better results than either type of mask can produce on its own. And remember, the mask does need to fit very snugly the whole idea is not to let air come in and out around the edge. KN95 is a Chinese respirator standard, but these respirators aren't strictly regulated by the Chinese government, according to both Collins and Miller. CDC recommends the use of a mask fitter in its official Feb. 13, 2021 guidance titled, ] 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)., The CDC confirms that mask fitters work. We only ask that you give the link masks4all.co/faqs-on-better-masks as the source of the information. For example, I dislike rigid cup-shaped N95s, though Miller says many men prefer that style "for reasons I don't understand." The company says it is in the process of seeking NIOSH approval. Keep in mind what NPPTL said in releasing the report: 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. Collins's spreadsheet of brands he's tested is a good place to start. If half the air goes around your 99% filter your effective filtration falls to less than 50%. Clean hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer before and after touching or adjusting the respirator (if necessary for comfort or to maintain fit). Kids can be hard to fit, so you might have to try a few brands to find a respirator that not only fits your child but is one they can put on correctly by themselves during the school day. Smart Air tested the filtration efficiencies of 31 masks from 21 manufacturers. Had to talk to the supervisor to do it. The percentages refer to fitted filtration efficiency, on his own face only. Even if you inhale some, you will inhale less of them, perhaps too few to get infected. Medical and Consumer Market Elastomeric Options With Two-Way Filtration. 6.6 Risky Foreign-Made Masks (the Chinese KN95) 6.7 Elastomeric Masks 6.8 Consumer Grade Powered Air Purifying Respirators 6.9 Fancy N95, N99 and N100 Masks 6.10 Unique Designs Not in Any Other Category 6.11 Avoiding Fakes 6.12 Other Consumer Grade Better Masks Worth Considering 6.13 Other Resources To Find New Types of Better Masks However, there is one exception the Savewo Smile, which appears to be made out of high filtration materials to the Korean KF94 mask standard. 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).. There are some clues to detect fakes. MR. COLLINS' FULL TESTING DATA SET CAN BE FOUND HERE. My sense from having heard a lot from people using all the other disinfection methods, like heat, is that they just increase the risk of damaging the mask. Unfortunately, this mask is not currently available for sale. 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. Any degradation to the respirator seal has the potential to decrease respiratory protection to the wearer. Fold the wire flat and you can seal it around the your nose. . Aaron Collins, aka "Mask Nerd," is a mechanical engineer at Seagate Technology with a background in aerosol science. This same advice should be followed for other medical grade masks, such as N99, N100, KF94, FFP2, FFP3 and KN95. It is almost impossible to say. For KN95 masks, you can use two checklists from the Food and Drug Administration. The other headform had the surgical mask hack of a knotted and tucked medical procedure mask. It found the receiver with the modified surgical mask, the receivers cumulative exposure was reduced by 64.5% compared to not wearing a mask. Their results are listed here. So breathability is important in a better mask. Keep in mind the CDC tests are for the sample tested and may or may not be representative of a larger lot,including the one you may buy. Another option is to block the valve with tape. This helps the wearer speak more naturally and with more confidence that their mask wont slip off when speaking relatively loudly. So consider a mask that comes in different sizes. The 3M VFlex 9105 has pleats that flex with mouth movement while talking, and it is economical. A reasonable price for N95 masks is $2 per mask or less. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. We recommend you use an N95 or similar grade mask. Its elastomeric construction and use of head straps, which we recommend, should provide a good fit. Authorized Resellers and Electronic Version Licensees, ISO Committees & Technical Advisory Groups, Other Association Offers for ASME Members, Volunteer Orientation & Leadership Training, Engineers Design a Reusable Alternative to N95 face mask, 8 Ways 3D Printing Is Helping Fight Coronavirus, Protolabs Dedicates Manufacturing to Battle the Coronavirus, A Mechanical Engineer Becomes a Mask Nerd. That means unfiltered air can enter from around the top, bottom, and sides of your mask. So thats about five per month. A powered air purifying respirator (PAPR) usually uses a battery operated fan to pull in air through a filter and blow filtered air into your mask. It is one of the few masks that come in multiple sizes, including small. It is believed, but not proved, that some of the most protective of the basic mask options might get up to about 80% effective filtration efficiency. If a porous obstacle is put in the path of air that contains aerosols, some of the aerosols will end up in the obstacle. The idea is to let it rest for five days so any viral particles trapped on it can die off. The aerosols rarely are all going the same direction. The CDC performed an experiment using headforms and a simulated cough by an unmasked person. One study found that 60 percent of the supply of KN95s in the United States are counterfeit. "I know I said I was done last March," Aaron Collins said on his YouTube channel, where he'd been posting his reviews of KF94, KN95 and 95 masks for the past 18 months. However, it is not clear how well it fits. 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. Some American consumers really prefer the flat-fold shape and ear loop attachments of the KN95 so much so that "one really anomalous thing has happened," says Anne Miller of Project N95, a nonprofit organization that connects consumers with legitimate masks and other personal protective equipment: NIOSH-rated manufacturers in the U.S. have now started making KN95-style masks a Chinese standard for sale in the U.S. market. It looks like it provides an excellent fit, as documented in this video below. As for N95s, here's the CDC's guide for spotting fakes. While filter efficiency shows how well the filter media performs, users must ensure a proper fit is achieved. While weve studied many materials, none of us are aerosol scientists or doctors. One other note: Masks can expire. Our guide can help. Not only will you better protect yourself, you will help better protect your community, your country and the world. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, "Pressure drop of filtering facepiece respirators: How low should we go? Some KF94s are made in China. . The package will also have an expiration date and a lot number printed on it. (Emphasis added. Another social media community has started to blossom around Aaron Collins a.k.a. Here's a link to the full text of a scientific research paper about pressure drop. John Brooks, MD, chief medical officer of the CDCs COVID-19 Response recently said, that a combination of a medical grade surgical mask and fitter, is getting into that range of filtration efficiency afforded by N95 respirators. You can view the portion of his Jan. 29 briefing on mask fitters here. When worn correctly, they are designed to filter out around 95% or more of airborne particles. Edit Aaron's top KF94 mask recommendations (as of late December) are in this video segment . Most of these products have an ear loop design. Some impressive lab studies. The F.D.A. No certificates of approval were provided with the samples received.