The chances of all sorts of unwanted airborne particles and deadlier components entering our bodies, is quite high. A high-quality mask can be useful in keeping most viruses, pollutants and other airborne illnesses, from your lungs. It could also protect from Coronavirus.

There are two different classifications for respirators; the letter and the number. Each mask can be N, R, or P, and each mask can be 95, 99, or 100. Any combination of letter and number is valid for a particular kind of respirator.Masks can range anywhere from the little paper things you buy by the 100s for protection from dust, all the way up to low-end particulate filters and soft, comfortable cloth-based masks. The key element that makes them masks rather than respirators is that they don’t have an air-tight seal against the face.

In order for a mask to be certified by NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health was founded as part of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, signed into law by Nixon in 1970) and given a letter/number rating, it has to have an airtight seal. After all, if you’re trying to filter out a dangerous chemical, particulate, or smoke, if the mask isn’t air-tight, that particulate can still get in around the mask. Therefore, for workplace safety and hazardous chemical handling, an air-tight seal is required. This certification makes it a respirator.

Terminologies & classification:

N rated respirators are Not resistant to oil-based particulates. They are some of the most common respirators, because they can be used for a long time and protect adequately from particulates like coal smoke, airborne particulate from stone grinding, and so on.

R rated respirators are classified as Resistant to oil-based particulates. They are not perfect filters, but they do an adequate job for a short service life. You’ll rarely find R respirators, however, because of the inconvenience; they clog up over time and are only effective for around eight hours of use.

P rated respirators are classified as oil-Proof. They are more effective at filtering out particulates that R rated respirators do not. Additionally, they last quite a bit longer; up to 40 hours of use or 30 days, whichever comes first. This makes them much more common in occupational and hazardous materials handling situations.

N95 mask

N95 masks come with an N95 rating that has the ability to filter up to 95.99% of fine particulate matter. Fine particle matter means the dust particles present in the air which are too small that can be seen through naked eyes. Breathing polluted air can cause a number of health issues. Such as persistent headache, irritation in the eyes, nose, throat, and skin. Since PM 2.5 stays in the longest time in the air it is easily breathable, causing mentioned health issues. Wearing an N95 mask can help you breathe clean air. As they have either one valve or two that are dedicated to exhale the air. 

N99 mask

N99 mask promises to filter up to 99.99 particle matter efficiently. A lot of times people confuse themselves that cloth mask will filter dust particles the same way N99 mask does. However, cloth mask doesn’t really work on the dangerous effect of pollution level. Hence, wearing a pollution mask that N99 approved helps in filtering dust, dirt, and other small airborne particles. This way you are breathing safe and healthy air when outdoors.

P95 AIR MASKS

The major difference between P-rated and N-rated air masks is their ability to filter out oil-based pollutants, which the former can while the latter cannot. In addition to clearing out oil-based pollutants, these air masks can filter out 95% of the particulate matter from the air.

Which is the right face mask to prevent COVID-19?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a N95 respirator face mask to protect one from contracting COVID-19. An N95 respirator face mask removes particles from the air that are breathed through it. These respirators filter out at least 95 percent of very small (0.3 micron) particles. These masks are capable of filtering out all types of particles, including bacteria & viruses. Unlike N95s, other face masks are loose-fitting and provide only barrier protection against droplets, including large respiratory particles. They do not effectively filter small particles from the air and do not prevent leakage around the edge of the mask when the user inhales.