5 Benefits of Wearing a Mask

Wearing a mask has several benefits. It can keep you from inhaling any respiratory hazards, such as particles of dust or smoke, poor air quality, and germs. Masks can also protect others and reduce the spread of infections if you have an illness.

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Research has found that wearing masks, along with social distancing, has significantly curbed the spread of SARS-CoV-2&#;the virus that causes COVID-19. KN95 and N95 respirators have been shown to offer strong protection.

1. Keeps You From Spreading Germs

Masks can help prevent you from spreading germs if you're already ill. Wearing a mask decreases the likelihood that you will exhale and spread germs into the surrounding air.

2. Prevents You From Getting Sick

Infectious diseases can spread from exposure to droplets containing germs that cause diseases. Masks protect you from inhaling droplets when people around you breathe, cough, sneeze, or talk.

A study showed that one person wearing a mask is partially protected from infectious droplet exposure from others with SARS-CoV-2. One-way masking is better than not using a mask&#;in other words, one person wearing a mask is better than no one wearing a mask.

3. Protects People With a Weak Immune System

Masks protect people who have a weak immune system. They reduce or prevent exposure to germs that can make you very sick if you are immunocompromised. This means you have an immune system that does not work properly.

Immune system dysfunction may occur due to:

• Chronic diseases, such as diabetes or cancer
• Conditions like HIV
• Therapies that suppress the immune system, such as radiation therapy

4. Reduces Exposure to Allergens

Wearing a mask could decrease allergen exposure, especially if you have pollen allergies. A mask that covers your mouth and nose helps filter out pollen or irritants. Masks also change the moisture and temperature level of the air you breathe in, further reducing allergy symptoms.

5. Shields You From Poor Air Quality

Wearing a mask can protect your respiratory system and general health when there is poor air quality because of pollutants. Categories of poor air quality range from moderate to hazardous on the Air Quality Index (AQI).

The AQI measures levels of the following pollutants with Clean Air Act regulations:

• Carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide: Gases from motor vehicles and industrial processes
• Ground-level ozone: Gas from the atmosphere referred to as smog when it reaches the ground
• Particle pollution: Particles made of sulfate, nitrate, carbon, and mineral dust chemicals
  

Who Should Wear a Mask?

All healthy children and adults should wear a mask when necessary. Talk to a healthcare provider to determine if and when to wear a mask if you are sick or at risk of getting very sick.

The following people should not or may not be able to wear a mask:

• Children under the age of 2
• People who cannot remove a mask or put one on without help
• People who have trouble breathing
• Those with certain disabilities who have trouble wearing masks (e.g., people who are sensitive to having something on their face)
  

Choosing the Right Mask

An effective mask will fit well: It won't be too tight or loose. It will also have high filtration of particles and droplets, measured by a percentage. High filtration means the mask does a good job of protecting you from those particles and droplets.

The most effective masks are ones approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). NIOSH-approved masks (or respirators) are tight-fitting and have higher filtration rates&#;usually greater than 95%. These masks also are best at protecting you and others when worn correctly.

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The next best option is international filtering respirators such as KN95s. They offer at least 80% filtration and are also tight-fitting. Other masks&#;including barrier face coverings, disposable masks, and cloth masks&#;can have variable filtration and fit. While not as effective as N95s or KN95s, disposable masks can be easy to find, comfortable to wear, and better than cloth masks or no mask at all.

Other Considerations

Follow this guidance to ensure proper mask wear:

• Check the mask for any damage, and use a new one if there are any defects like holes or broken pieces.
• Choose a mask with multiple layers and, preferably, a nose wire to get a good fit on your face.
• Make sure your mask covers your mouth and nose once in place. It should also fit comfortably, but snugly, on your face.
• Wash your hands before putting on your face mask.

You can wear a cloth mask on top of a disposable mask or a mask brace over disposable or cloth masks. You can also knot and tuck three-ply mask ear loops.

A Quick Review

Masks have been used to protect against COVID and other infectious illnesses. Wearing them has other benefits. Masks may keep your allergy symptoms from getting worse, or they can keep you from pollutant exposure.

NIOSH-approved masks are the most effective, though other masks may be helpful, too, depending on the type of mask. Not everyone can wear a mask, but you should wear one that has a snug, comfortable fit if you can and when necessary.

Types of Respirators and Masks

NIOSH Approved elastomeric half-mask respirator and elastomeric quarter-mask respirator

How Well It Protects You: NIOSH Approved elastomeric half-mask respirators (EHMRs) and elastomeric quarter-mask respirators (EQMRs) protect you against gases, vapors, and particles when equipped with the appropriate filter, cartridge, or canister.

How Well It Protects Others Around You: Some EHMRs and EQMRs, such as those without exhalation valves, filter the air you breathe out and you can use them to protect others around you. If the EHMR or EQMR do not filter the air you breathe out, you should not use them if your goal is to protect others around you.

Filtration: These are reusable respirators that, when equipped with particle filters, achieve a minimum of 95% filtration efficiency.

Fit: EHMRs and EQMRs cover the nose and mouth and are tight-fitting.

Manufacturing Quality: NIOSH Approved EHMRs and EQMRs meet NIOSH requirements including demonstrated manufacturing quality. You can find respirators that meet these standards and more information on their availability on the NIOSH Certified Equipment List.

NIOSH Approved filtering facepiece respirator

How Well It Protects You: NIOSH Approved FFRs, such as N95 respirators, protect you against particles. They do not protect against gases or vapors.

How Well It Protects Others Around You: Some NIOSH Approved FFRs have exhalation valves that open to let air escape when you breathe out. This makes it easier to breathe and can make the respirator more comfortable to wear. An FFR with an exhalation valve may not protect others as well as one without a valve.

• Without exhalation valves: NIOSH Approved FFRs without exhalation valves filter the air you breathe out. You can use this type to protect others around you.
• With exhalation valves: If the NIOSH Approved FFR has an exhalation valve, some of the air will come out of the exhalation valve and reduce the level of protection to others. Wearing one of these will provide similar levels of protection to others as BFCs and some disposable face masks and cloth masks.

Filtration: NIOSH Approved FFRs are a disposable respirator that achieve a minimum of 95% filtration efficiency.

Fit: NIOSH Approved FFRs seal against your face around the nose and mouth and are tight-fitting.

Manufacturing Quality: NIOSH Approved FFRs meet NIOSH requirements including demonstrated manufacturing quality. You can find lists of respirators that meet this standard and more information on their availability on the NIOSH Certified Equipment List.

International filtering facepiece respirator

How Well It Protects You: International FFRs, such as KN95s, protect you against particles. They do not protect against gases or vapors.

How Well It Protects Others Around You: Some international FFRs have exhalation valves that open to let air escape when you breathe out. This makes it easier to breathe and can make the respirator more comfortable to wear. An international FFR with an exhalation valve may not protect others as well as one without a valve.

• Without exhalation valves: International FFRs without exhalation valves filter the air you breathe out. You can wear this type to protect others around you.
• With exhalation valves: If the international FFR has exhalation valves, the level of protection to others is variable. You should not wear this type if your goal is to protect others around you.

Filtration: International FFRs are a disposable type of respirator that achieve a level of filtration efficiency based on the specified standard with a minimum of 80%.

Fit: International FFRs seal against your face around the nose and mouth and are tight-fitting. Since manufacturers designed these respirators for populations outside of the United States, they may not seal as well to your face as a NIOSH Approved respirator.

Manufacturing Quality: International FFRs meet the requirements specified by the country which includes manufacturing quality. However, international standards often do not require the manufacturer to demonstrate quality.

Barrier face covering

How Well It Protects You: BFCs protect you against particles. They do not protect against gases or vapors.

How Well It Protects Others Around You: BFCs filter the air you breathe out, so you can wear them to protect others around you.

Filtration: BFCs can be disposable or reusable masks that achieve a minimum of 20% filtration efficiency against particles. There are two kinds of BFCs intended to provide a higher level of protection, Enhanced Performance and Enhanced Performance Plus BFCs. These BFCs offer a minimum of 50% and 80% filtration.

Fit: They cover the nose and mouth. Manufacturers must design BFCs to fit snugly to your face to reduce gaps. However, they may not provide as tight of a seal as a NIOSH Approved FFR or elastomeric respirator.

Manufacturing Quality: BFCs meet the ASTM F-21 consensus standard and are tested by a laboratory. The manufacturer must specify how to wear it properly to reduce gaps and, if reusable, the number of times you can wash the BFC. The NIOSH Personal Protective Equipment Information (PPE-Info) webpage has lists of BFCs that the manufacturer claims to meet enhanced recommendations, as well as more information on their availability.

Disposable face mask

How Well It Protects You: Disposable face masks may block droplets. They may not filter small particles, and they do not protect against gases or vapors.

How Well It Protects Others Around You: They may protect others around you.

Filtration: Disposable face masks are one time use masks that provide varying levels of filtration.

Fit: They cover your nose and mouth and are loose-fitting.

Manufacturing Quality: There are no standards or regulations for disposable face masks. It is very difficult to know the level of filtration and protection they provide.

Cloth mask

How Well It Protects You: Cloth masks may block droplets. They may not protect against small particles, and they do not protect against gases and vapors.

How Well It Protects Others Around You: They may protect others around you.

Filtration: Cloth masks are reusable masks that provide varying levels of filtration.

Fit: They cover your nose and mouth and are loose-fitting.

Manufacturing Quality: There are no standards or regulations for cloth masks. It is very difficult to know the level of filtration and protection they provide.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Disposable Face Mask(ar,pl,fa). Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.