Face masks, respirators, and other Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), are crucial. They are used in construction, medical, and 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 n99mask 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 have two principal defining 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 features mean that the N99 respirator is more durable than other cave covers and has a higher filtration rate.
What to Consider When Buying an N99 Mask
N99 masks provide the most protection, filtering out 99% of airborne particles, but that doesn’t mean they are all equal.Consider these things before buying an N99 facemask. Filters are essential for any mask to last a long time. Think about the type, quality, and number filters your N99 mask will use. Carbon filters filter out bacteria, viruses, and chemicals the best. 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. It is useless to use a face mask that doesn’t fit correctly. You want to buy certified N99 masks.Reusable Masks are an eco-friendly and economically sound option. However, there is a higher initial 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. But, during times where many people are wearing respirators and masks throughout the day, the CDC has put out information on how to sterilize N99 masks. 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
Three ways are most effective in decontaminating N99 masks. These include sweltering heat, vaporous hydroperoxide, and UV radiation. Before being worn again, every mask must be inspected for damage or degrading and a seal checked. N95DECON was formed by scientists, doctors, and others to test and evaluate various sanitizing techniques for masks. While these methods have been researched thoroughly, they have not gone through extensive testing yet.
VAPOROUS HYDROGEN PEROXIDE
This method kills resistant bacteria spores and viruses. 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. Sanitizing machines can be dangerous and require extensive training.
UV RADIATION
The UV radiation kills coronavirus viruses without affecting the ability of the masks to filter out 10-20 sterilizations. However, the UV light can break down the straps and face pieces, and it can be challenging to expose the 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 method is effective for cleaning facemasks. Heating them at 60°C and 80% humidity doesn’t seem to affect their filtration abilities.
Steam and Liquid Hydrogen Peroxide
The CDC also tested sterilizing masks with steam and liquid hydrogen peroxide. To kill bacteria, they used steam bags in low-power microwaves. The mask was not damaged more than three times. They also noted that soaking an N99 respirator in 6% liquid hydrogen peroxide for half an hour didn’t affect filtration, but they did not test fit integrity afterward. Do not use soapy water to sterilize N99 masks. This can cause damage to the mask’s materials and reduce its ability to filter small particles. Do not use alcohol or bleach. This can affect the mask’s ability efficiently to filter toxic substances. It’s safe to assume it’s clean from overnight storage. The coronavirus can live for up to three days on some materials. When purchasing an N99 mask washable, it is essential to buy high-quality respirators from a reputable source. Bielcor is a safety leader and only offers products that have been thoroughly researched and field-tested.