Protective Equipment (PPE) is vital for everyone. These devices are essential for construction,medicine,and many other industries. The n99 is used to filter out harmful particles and prevent the spread and contraction of infectious diseases. The n99mask are the most effective face-covering option available,but many people want to know what to look for when purchasing one and if they can wash and reuse them.
What Are N99 Masks?
N99 masks or a n99 is a specific type of face-covering to filter what the user is breathing in. N99 Mask is a face-covering designed to filter the air that is being inhaled. These masks share two main characteristics. N99 Masks form a tight seal against your face so that when you breathe in,the airflow coming in and out of your nose and mouth passes through the filtration material without leaking from the mask’s edges. N99 mask materials should be capable of capturing at least 99% particles from the user’s nose and mouth while they breathe. These characteristics ensure that the N99 respirator seals tight and has high filtration.
What to Consider When Buying an N99 Mask
N99 masks offer the best protection by filtering out 99.9% of airborne particles. However,they don’t all provide equal protection. The mask’s useful life is dependent upon its filters,which are the most important element of any efficient face mask. Think about the type,quality,and number filters your N99 mask will use. Carbon filters have the highest efficiency in filtering out viruses,bacteria,and chemicals. N99 masks with breathing valves or micro-ventilators make talking and breathing easier. N99 masks are available in a variety of sizes. Make sure that you have enough coverage for your nose,mouth,and chin. An unfit face mask is useless. Buy certified N99 masks; you want to use one that’s of the highest quality possible.Reusable N99 masks are an environmentally friendly and economical option,but they have a higher up-front cost. If you engage in lots of physical activity or already have breathing difficulties,you can find N99 masks with two breathing valves to help you breathe easier.
Extending the Use of N99 Masks
N99 masks are disposable filtering respirators. It is best only to use one mask per day. Discard your N99 mask whenever it becomes contaminated or exposed to dangerous particles throughout the day. The CDC has information about how to sterilize N99 Masks when many people wear respirators all day. While they don’t recommend that you reuse masks unless,in an emergency situation,you can sterilize your N99 mask for reuse.
These are the requirements for safe sterilization of an N99 mask washable:
The mask must remain effective against COVID-19. The sterilization must not affect the filtration capabilities. It must not have an impact on the fit of the user’s face. The mask must still be safe for the user.
These methods of decontamination are not recommended for N99 Masks:
Ethylene Oxide causes concerns for off-gassing. Ionizing Radiation can degrade filter performance. The use of microwaves can melt the respirator near metal components and compromise the fit. Autoclaves,high temperatures,and steam can cause filter degradation.
Sterilizing N99 Masks for Reuse
The three most powerful methods to disinfect N99 Masks are moist heat (vaporous hydrogen peroxide),UV radiation,and using moisture. Note that every mask should get inspected for damage or degradation and pass a seal check before being worn again. To test and explore different methods of cleaning face masks,a group of scientists,doctors,and other professionals created N95DECON. While these methods have been researched thoroughly,they have not gone through extensive testing yet.
VAPOROUS HYDROGEN PEROXIDE
This method kills viruses and spores of resistant bacteria. 3M has used this method for fixing masks up 20 times without any degradation. But,when sterilized at higher doses,the filters become less effective. The machines to perform sanitizing are dangerous and require extensive training for the operator.
UV RADIATION
The UV radiation kills coronavirus viruses without affecting the ability of the masks to filter out 10-20 sterilizations. The UV radiation can cause damage to straps and facepieces and make it challenging to expose lower layers to the radiation. High UV light doses can cause the mask to be brittle.
Heat and Humidity
Heating N99 masks at 60-75 degrees C for half an hour can stop viruses related to COVID-19,but it has not been tested on the coronavirus itself.This is an effective method to sanitize facemasks,as heating them at 60 degrees C and 80% humidity does not seem to damage their filtration capabilities.
Steam and Liquid Hydrogen Peroxide
The CDC also tested steam sterilization of masks with liquid hydrogen peroxide and steam. They sterilized the masks with steam bags using low-power microwaves. They found that the N99 respirator could be soaked in 6% liquid hydrogen peroxide for 30 minutes,which did not affect its filtration. However,they did not test the fit afterward. Avoid using soapy water when sterilizing N99-face masks. It can degrade the masks’ materials and affect their ability to filter small particles correctly. Avoid using bleach or alcohol; it can reduce the mask’s effectiveness in filtering toxic materials. Assume it’s clean after overnight storage; the coronavirus can survive for three or more days on certain materials. It is crucial to purchase washable N99 masks from a trusted source. Bielcor is a safety leader and only offers products that have been thoroughly researched and field-tested.