Upgrading our masks

[chocolate-chip chooky]

So, with Australia now thick with Covid, I really need to rethink our masks.

Up until now, we've used triple-layer cotton masks with a filter pocket (PM2.5 filter which is 5-layer with activated carbon). I like the cotton masks, because they are really snug to our faces.

I now have no idea if this is good enough.

I'm looking up n95s and kn95s, and I'm really not clear on if they are any better than what we are currently doing.

Thoughts?

Another option is surgical against our face, and then cloth over the top for a snug fit. Our surgical masks are BFE>95%.

It was really nice when we had no Covid here, and our government would boast about 'double donut' days. Those days are over, and we need to really get ourselves properly protected.

Edited December 30, 2021 by chocolate-chip chooky

[wathe]

Yes, n95 and kn95 are better than what you've been using.

The problem with filter pockets is that air gets around the edges of the filter.

well-fitting cloth over disposable pleated ear-looper is better than what you've got.  Not as good as n95/kn95, but still quite good.  

[wathe]

I'll add that n95 are better than kn95.  The device standard for n95 is more rigorous with respect to fit, straps, etc.  There's a reason kn95 aren't approved for healthcare here.

[chocolate-chip chooky]

I've seen some surgical masks advertised as N95s, but I'm not sure if that would be correct. I wonder if it's actually BFE 95%. 

If surgical ones can be N95, then that with our cloth over the top would be really good for us.

[wathe]

Pleated medical masks have excellent filtration.  The material filters just as well as the stuff n95's are made from.  The problem is the gappy fit.

n95 is a device standard, not a material standard.  N95 masks have have to meet standard for straps, fit, etc to meet the n95 standard - not just filtration.

There is a lot of bad marketing out there, misusing the term "n95".  don't be fooled by it.

"Surgical n95's" , on the other hand, are a particular subclass of n95 meant for healthcare.  Approved for use in operating rooms and splash resistant.  Handy chart from 3M.

 

[chocolate-chip chooky]

I think I'll invest in pleated surgical level 3 masks, and use our triple-layer cloth over the top.

I only just realised that there are different levels of surgical masks. I've just seen that level 3s are higher BFE than the ones we have.

I'll also look into N95s, and see if I can work out what is actually a reputable brand or not. 

I'm about 18 months behind here. I'm only just beginning to wrap my head around our new threat here. 

Thanks heaps @wathe You're an absolute gem 🌻

[Melissa Louise]

I've got P2 masks. 

I looked at an AU govt fact sheet at some point. 

Will see if I can find the sheet. 

[wathe]

9 hours ago, chocolate-chip chooky said:

I think I'll invest in pleated surgical level 3 masks, and use our triple-layer cloth over the top.

I only just realised that there are different levels of surgical masks. I've just seen that level 3s are higher BFE than the ones we have.

I'll also look into N95s, and see if I can work out what is actually a reputable brand or not. 

I'm about 18 months behind here. I'm only just beginning to wrap my head around our new threat here. 

Thanks heaps @wathe You're an absolute gem 🌻

Don't stress too much if you can't find level 3's.  They do have higher BFE, but the main difference is that they are more fluid resistant.  They also tend to be thicker and a little harder to breathe through.  The Halyard level 3's that we have at work are quite stiff and therefore tend to gap more than the level ones (harder to manipulate into the contours of the face to get any kind of seal). Other brands might be different, of course.   I think level ones under a cloth mask would be very good, easier to get a good fit,  and probably more comfortable to wear.

This is a nice summary of mask standards from a Canadian Government website.

ETA: @Melissa Louise NZ/AS P2 respirator standards are listed in the mask standards Canadian government website link, as well as European, Korean, Japanese, and Chinese respirator standards, and level 1,2, and 3 surgical/medical mask standard.

Edited December 30, 2021 by wathe

[Arcadia]

9 hours ago, Melissa Louise said:

I've got P2 masks. 

I looked at an AU govt fact sheet at some point. 

Will see if I can find the sheet. 

Your P2 is our N95 apparently. We typically just buy the 3M brand every year for wildfire season.
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/factsheets/Pages/face-mask.aspx
“Why use a P2 face mask? (also called N95)

Disposable P2/N95 face masks (also known as P2/N95 respirators) are able to filter out very fine particles from the air when worn correctly. They help reduce exposure to bushfire smoke / poor air quality and associated health effects.

P2/N95 face masks are widely available from hardware stores and other safety equipment suppliers.”