Protection Masks- N95 vs Surgical Masks

Protection Masks- N95 vs Surgical Masks

Surgical masks also known as face masks and N95 respirators are a category of personal protective gear whose function is to safeguard the user’s face from liquid contamination and airborne particles. While the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is ideal for one’s protection, it is essential to know that it takes a mix of different controls to prevent the transmission of airborne particles efficiently.

It is easy to confuse an N95 respirator with a surgical mask. This is because these types of protection equipment look similar and words like ‘mask’ and ‘respirator’ are used interchangeably in reference to respiratory protection masks. However, wearing either of the respiratory protection devices does not come with an extra advantage, which is why other measures should be adopted.

According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the N95 respirators are not recommended as protective gear for respiratory diseases such as coronavirus (COVID-19). In light with the coronavirus global pandemic, the general public is advised to avoid exposure to this virus as the ideal way of dealing with it. However, CDC notes that it is fundamental for everyone to adopt the recommended preventive measures, such as the use of sanitizers, handwashes, and social distancing. This is to control and limit the spread of this respiratory disease.

This article highlights the key differences between the various protection masks, particularly the surgical masks and the N95 respirators.

Description of Protective Masks

1. Surgical Masks

The CDC does not recommend the general public, particularly those who are well to wear the surgical masks for protection against respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. A surgical device is a disposable personal protection device that has a loose fitting, creating a barrier between the user’s mouth and nose and contaminants in the surrounding environment. Surgical masks may be helpful in protecting an individual against exposure to contaminants, such as large particles in the air, body fluids, and other microorganisms.

Surgical masks are regulated by the 21 CFR 878.4040 standard of the FDA Regulations of Personal Protection Equipment for Surgical Apparel. These masks are designed for personal use, and should not be shared. Surgical masks may be labelled as medical procedure masks, surgical, dental, or isolation masks. Some of the surgical masks may come with a face shield, translating to face masks However, it is important to know that not all face masks are regulated under the standards of surgical masks.

The Properties of Surgical Masks

Surgical masks come in diverse forms of thicknesses. They are also made with different capacities to protect users from contacts with fluids. These properties are fundamental as they influence how efficient the surgical mask will protect you from respiratory diseases as well as breathing efficiency. Surgical masks are also built to sprays, splashes, large-particle droplets, and splatter with germs such as viruses and bacteria. This means that these contaminants cannot get through the user’s mouth and nose, and neither can the wearer’s respiratory secretions reach others. How efficient these properties help the user, however, depends on how good the surgical masks are worn.

Surgical Masks Precautions

Surgical masks are not 100% perfect in providing protection against contaminants and germs. This is particularly because of the loose fitting between the wearer’s face and the surface of the surgical mask. Also, face masks do not block or filter tiny particles in the air, and such microscopic germs may be transmitted through coughs. When using a surgical mask, it is essential to consider the following precautionary measures;

• Do not wear the face masks more than once. Once used, the mask is not fit for use again.
• If it becomes difficult to breath through the surgical mask, the wearer should remove, discard, or replace the mask with a new one. This also applies if the surgical mask is soiled or damaged.
• Used or non-functional surgical masks should be discarded in plastic bag and trashed properly.
• You should wash your hands after handling a used surgical mask. Use of a handwash, soap, or sanitizer would come in handy in this case.

2. N95 Respirators

N95 respirators differ from surgical masks in that they are very efficient in filtering airborne contaminants and they have a closer facial fit. After testing, the N95 respirators are found to be 95% effective in blocking tiny particles, particularly particles of 0.3-micron size. If properly used, the filtration capacity of a N95 respirator exceeds that of a surgical mask. However, it is important to know that even with their high-filtration capabilities, N95 respirators do not completely eradicate health risks connected to respiratory illnesses.

N95 Respirators Precautions

Before using a N95 respirator, users should consider taking the following precautionary measures;

• Consult your health care provider, particularly if you are a victim of medical conditions, such as cardiac diseases and chronic respiratory conditions. This is because the design of a N95 can make it more difficult for such individuals to breathe.
• When sterile conditions are necessary, N95 respirators with exhalation valves should be avoided.
• N95 respirators cleared by FDA are labelled ‘Single-Use’. This means that once used, the masks should be discarded.
• If the respirator is soiled, damaged, or makes it difficult for you to breathe, it should be removed, discarded, or replaced.
• N95 respirators are not fit for use by children and individuals with facial hair. This is because their fitting is not compatible with their faces, affecting the level of respiratory protection they receive.
• Once you handle a used respirator, you should wash your hands properly.

Differentiating N95 Respirators

There are two categories of N95 respirators; Respirators designed for use in industrial settings and those built for use in the healthcare settings. Industrial N95 respirators are used to protect workers in industrial setups and construction sites from being exposed to small particles and dust. Surgical N95 respirators, on the other hand, are made for use by health care personnel during surgical procedures. This helps in protecting the healthcare provider and patients from transferring and receiving particular material, body fluids, microorganisms, and contaminants.

Approval and Certification of Protective Masks

Different protective masks are regulated differently based on their purpose or intended use.

• Surgical Masks (Face Masks)

Surgical masks are approved and cleared by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States. Although the agency is mandated to clear the respirator for sale after the manufacturer’s review, FDA is not responsible for the certification and testing of N95 respirators.

• N95 Respirators

The N95 respirator is certified and approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), after which the device is cleared for sale by the FDA. Bodies such as CDC and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) also play key roles in the regulation of N95 respirators. NIOSH requirements of approval include the validation of the respirator’s resistance and efficiency for respiratory protection. Various tests are run on N95 respirators by the manufacturer, including bacterial filter efficiency, filtration efficiency, and fluid resistance. The results of these tests are what the FDA use to clear the N95 respirators as fit for sale. It is fundamental to note that the efficiency rating based on the manufacturer’s tests are different from the rating done by NIOSH, and one should not be used in comparison with the other.