The Science Behind N95 Masks and Their Efficiency

In the past two years, citizens of many countries have become acclimated to wearing face masks indoors and in large gatherings to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Post-shutdown, mask protocols became a normal part of everyday life in the wake of the pandemic. Declining infection clusters and hospitalizations in late 2020, in part, reflect the efficiency of widespread mask protocols during the peak of the pandemic. Healthcare workers on the frontlines are still depending on the N95 masks to help keep them safe from the COVID-19 virus and other airborne infectious diseases.

Innova Medical Group offers top-quality N95 masks that help filter airborne particles from contaminating the wearer through the mouth and nose. As more information about the COVID-19 virus and the newly mutated strands becomes available, transmission through the air has proven to be the most common way the virus spreads. Until the majority of the population is vaccinated, or frequent testing is in place, science and countless studies point to the efficiency

of using high-quality masks to prevent infection.

At the beginning of the pandemic, the most common ways COVID-19 spread were not completely understood. Within the first few months, scientists were able to determine one of the most prevalent ways the virus spreads between individuals is when droplets are expelled during a sneeze or cough. These droplets can be propelled up to six feet. These aerosols, the proper name for droplets, helped drive the rapid spread of COVID-19 in communities around the world. A common sneeze even covered politely by a hand is able to spread the virus to multiple people. Once droplets or aerosolized contaminants are inhaled by an individual, the infection begins to spread through the body.

Many companies began selling cloth masks with and without filters to the public. The use of disposable surgical masks became a regular act for individuals who returned to work in the service industry later in 2020. Earlier this year the public was instructed to double mask to protect from the new variants. However, comparisons throughout the pandemic have reiterated the N95 masks are safer and more effective in contrast to other face masks. This is due to the structure of the N95 and the incredible filtering system that can protect the wearer against particulates and pollutant fragments up to .3 microns.

Innova’s highly efficacious N95 masks have five layers of protection to block pollutants and airborne particles with each breath. During inhalation, all of the small particles have to pass through the five layers of different fabric. This structure catches animal hair, dust, spray, pollen, and other aerosolized particulate matter. The N at the beginning of N95 stands for no-oil meaning it is effective in circumstances where no oil is present and 95 represents the proven statistic that these masks are 95% effective in blocking unwanted air pollutants.

In comparison to commonplace surgical masks, N95 masks are more protective because of the tight fit to the face. Surgical masks are loose but provide protection from droplets, liquids, and respiratory emissions from others. However, surgical masks do not have the same type of filtration system as N95 masks. This means that particles of the virus, dust, or allergens can pass through the mask during inhalation. Surgical masks allow breath and aerosols to leak out the sides due to their lax fitting. Innova’s N95 masks are designed for a proper fit to keep the wearer comfortable and others safe from their respiratory emissions. The adjustable nose clip adds to the comfort and effectiveness of the mask compared to surgical masks.

Cloth face masks, a style that became the most common among the public, only offer about 35% efficiency against pollutants and viruses that can be inhaled. Lower-grade cotton masks can only offer 10%-20% efficiency. Filtered cloth masks have a range of 30-75% efficiency against airborne COVID-19 transmission due to the added layer of protection the filter provides. Homemade cotton masks can provide up to a low 35% filtration. A mask’s efficiency largely depends on the material used and the overall construction. While by themselves they are not nearly as protective against the virus, dust, and other allergens cloth masks can be used beneath the N95 as an extra precaution without causing discomfort.

Masks with vents or that are vented are not efficient against preventing the spread of COVID-19 or any other respiratory illnesses. Unfiltered air escapes the mask causing safety issues to others around the wearer. Non-filtered breath transmits pollutants and aerosols to the air and if the wearer is infected, the disease will infiltrate the air.

Though there are multiple ways for the COVID-19 virus to spread, aerosols pose the biggest threat. Virus remnants can be washed and sanitized off surfaces and hands as opposed to the air that cannot be wiped free of the infectious aerosols. Proper mask filtration is incredibly important in order to keep the wearer and those around them safe from the virus.

N95 masks have been used as a shield against mass spreading and continue to be used by healthcare workers caring for COVID-19 patients to help protect them from the virus and its variants. With the world opening up to holiday travel and increased activity levels, workers, travelers, students, and those helping care for individuals infected with COVID-19 will still need personal protective equipment and adequate air filtration. As COVID-19 infections begin to pick up again due to the community spread of the variants, those who remain in need of mask protection will continue to rely on N95 masks as a physical barrier to help protect themselves against airborne contaminants of many types.




Sources

https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/personal-protective-equipment-infection-control/n95-respirators-surgical-masks-and-face-masks

https://www.goodrx.com/blog/the-best-face-mask-types-for-coronavirus-covid-19/

https://www.montgomerycollege.edu/_documents/offices/facilities/occupation-and-environmental-safety/respiratory-protection-info/cdc-understanding-the-difference.pdf