How to Choose the Best Mask for You

There are many face masks on the market, and due to how essential they are in our lives, choosing the right one for you is important.

Let's be honest, this has become a daunting task, as the mask mandates have evolved with the emergence of new variants of coronavirus (Covid-19). 

We previously did a post about the difference between a mask and a respirator, which you can read here.

With the current variant of Covid-19, Omicron, it is recommended by the CDC that you use surgical, N95, or KN95 respirators to protect your respiratory health. This is due to their level of filtration which makes them adept at capturing the infectious particles.

What is the difference between these masks? The KN95 and the N95 masks both filter and capture up to 95% of particles. Their main difference is that N95 is the U.S. standard, while the KN95 is the Chinese standard.

Surgical masks are best used to capture droplets more so than aerosolized particles, such as droplets shared from a sneeze; hence why they are mainly utilized in hospitals where persons have a higher risk of encountering that type of transmission.

These are proven to be more effective than the regular cloth masks which, depending on their material, can offer little to no protection from aerosolized particles. Most cloth masks also do not have filters embedded between the material. 

This video can help shed some light on why cloth masks aren’t particularly effective

Another important factor to consider when choosing a mask is the fit. Even a mask that filters 95% of the particles is only as effective as its fit. 

It should fit snugly around your nose and chin to form a seal on your face. There should be no gaps and the straps should be comfortable around your ears or head.

You should also avoid using any that contain a valve, as this can defeat the purpose of sealing the fit. 

Due to the high demand for masks globally, counterfeit masks have been entering the market. These masks may look like a legitimate N95, KN95, or surgical mask, however, they may not be NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) approved.

NIOSH approval means that the brand has tested the product (masks) to meet the industry standards, and has a stamp of approval that says it does what it claims to do.

How can you avoid buying counterfeit masks? The short answer-Never buy any mask that does not have the appropriate packaging with the standards printed visibly or come from sketchy suppliers. For a more detailed answer, visit the CDC website here.

If you are looking for either a mask or respirator that meets safety standards, Safety Supply Co. has a wide range from which you can choose. Visit www.safetysupplyco.com to get a mask or respirator to protect your respiratory health.