Why N95s Provide the Most Protection

It’s almost two years into the COVID-19 pandemic and we may have some answers. While it was a novel concept in the United States in March of 2020, wearing masks has now become commonplace. The recent spike in COVID-19 cases, particularly those related to the new variant Omicron, has caused many cities and states to reinstate mask mandates for indoor businesses.

Early in the pandemic, wearing any type of mask was seen as sufficient. Although N95 masks and KN95 masks were always seen as superior, cloth masks, gaiters, and even bandanas were acceptable in most indoor establishments. As long as it covered your mouth and nose, the mask passed.

These days, however, we have more insight into the most protective masks for COVID-19. We’ve been asking questions like, “What are is the most protective mask for COVID-19?” and “What is the difference between N95, surgical, and cloth masks?” The primary factor for a mask’s effectiveness is how well it captures particles. Second to that is the mask’s ability to prevent the spread of these particles.

The CDC recommends wearing the “most protective mask you can that fits you well and that you will wear consistently.” If possible, this should be an N95 mask.

N95s are the most protective masks against COVID-19, but do we know why?

N95s Filter Out 95% of Particles in the Air

According to the CDC, NIOSH-approved N95 masks filter out 95% of airborne particles, including those that cause COVID-19. This makes N95s the best masks for preventing the spread of the disease, second only to expensive air-purifying respirators which may send particulate matter back out.

The name N95 actually came from the mask’s ability to be 95% efficient at stopping particles around 0.3 microns. That means the mask can filter out particles that are either larger or smaller than the 0.3-micron threshold – the smaller the better.  

Professor Linsey Marr of Virginia Tech who specializes in the airborne transmission of viruses likened the mask filtration process to that of a colander; the difference with N95s, however, is that unlike pasta in a colander, the small particles do not make it through.

N95s are NIOS-Approved

More is not always better, especially in the case of a thick COVID-19 mask. While adding layers can help, some studies found that stacking layers had minimal returns, especially in the case of cloth masks.

The CDC’s reporting that N95 masks are the most protective comes from the National Institution for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH)’s approval. While many may regard Chinese-made KN95s as the standard for the most effective COVID-19 masks, these masks are not approved by the NIOSH. They may be constructed from high quality, but healthcare professionals prefer masks that have been marked approved by the NIOSH to verify authenticity and efficacy.

N95s Are Scientifically Designed to Work

The fibers that make up a mask are designed to halt particles from passing through. N95s are made with melt-blown plastics like polypropylene to effectively remove particles from the air. The strands of the fibers measure 10 micrometers in diameter, which is 1/3 the width of a strand of human hair. This makes them exceptionally effective at filtering and collecting particles. Cloth masks, while more visually attractive and trendier, and typically made of women materials like cotton or polyester. The larger fibers are less densely packed together, which allows particles to pass through the material more easily.  

The more information we have, the safer we can keep ourselves. Find medical-grade face masks and additional personal protective equipment against COVID-19 at CWIMedical.com today.