Questions tagged [face-mask-respirator]
The face-mask-respirator tag has no usage guidance.
43
questions
7
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Can N95 face masks filter out benzopyrene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or formaldehyde?
The Question: Can N95 face masks filter out benzopyrene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or formaldehyde?
Background: Pan-frying, stir-frying, and deep-frying typically involve heating oil to a high ...
- 173
2
votes
2
answers
135
views
What is the difference between different mask standards?
I am looking at buying a new batch of masks, since I still prefer to use a mask for my travelling. I am close to running out again, and the company that I previously got masks from now has a 'new' ...
- 121
3
votes
2
answers
125
views
Was there a clear effect attributable to FFP2 (~N95) mask mandates in Germany in crowded environments (shops, buses, etc.)?
Back in January or so, Bavaria at least mandated FFP2 (roughly equivalent to US N95) masks be worn in shops, buses and presumably similar environments. At least Berlin followed suit some months later ...
- 5,968
1
vote
0
answers
39
views
Do medical/surgical masks [consistently] reduce O2 levels in some settings?
In the circles that decry mask "totalitarianism" and its dangers, much has been made about a 2008 Turkish study of Beder et al.:
Repeated measures, longitudinal and prospective ...
- 5,968
2
votes
1
answer
37
views
What face mask with glowing LEDs on the back is this health worker wearing?
I saw a health worker in a short video clip wearing some kind of mask that loops around the back and has LEDs on it.
Does anyone know what this is?
- 141
1
vote
1
answer
82
views
How much more protection does doubling up masks offer for COVID-19?
I have read several news articles mentioning that doubling up masks offer some additional protection for COVID-19. E.g. https://denver.cbslocal.com/2021/01/20/doubling-up-face-masks-creates-obstacle-...
- 10.3k
1
vote
1
answer
63
views
New Covid December 2020 mutation in UK and its consequences [closed]
The new Covid December 2020 mutation in UK is believed to be 70% more contagious than the original version. Could one reason be that Airborne transmission by normal breathing is now a dominant form of ...
- 159
1
vote
1
answer
65
views
Is repirator easier to breathe through than conventional medical mask?
Currently I'm using conventional blue mask.
But there are masks with exhale valve (there are mostly FFP2 ones and they're cheaper, I'm considering to buy one, for COVID protection). I didn't try such ...
- 13
1
vote
0
answers
57
views
For how long can you wear a surgical mask? [closed]
I used to think that you can wear a mask for up to two hours, regardless of how many times you put it on and take it off. This guide says you can wear it for up to five times without any ...
- 141
1
vote
1
answer
111
views
What should you put on your face if you want to protect both yourself and others?
Surgical masks protect other people but provide almost no protection for the wearer (see https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2020/sep/14/facebook-posts/face-masks-wildfire-smoke-protection-and-covid-...
- 141
2
votes
0
answers
45
views
How effective are reused surgical masks?
Let's say I have used a surgical mask multiple times. And say I left it on a safe place, untouched, for three days which is the longest that viable SARS-CoV-2 has been found on different materials (...
- 507
1
vote
1
answer
73
views
Is the efficacy of N95 respirators or surgical masks reduced when wet (COVID-19)?
If my face mask gets wet, is its efficacy in preventing the spread of coronavirus diminished? If so, how much?
It's monsoon season here in India, and my method of transportation (safer than crowded ...
- 181
1
vote
1
answer
120
views
Do oxygen and carbon dioxide move with Brownian motion? And, if so, do they get trapped by N95 masks?
Do oxygen and carbon dioxide move with brownian motion? And, if so, do they get trapped by N95 masks?
Health professionals are experts agree: we should be wearing masks all day when in public during ...
- 181
1
vote
0
answers
16
views
Strategies to conserve filters
If using reusable elastomeric respirators with dual filters (e.g. 3M 6200, 7502, or 6800) in medical settings with potential contact with Covid positive people, in order to conserve the limited number ...
- 19
3
votes
1
answer
147
views
Is using a shield rather then a mask effective with COVID-19?
I am seeing more people wearing a shield rather then a mask in public. I read this article here that talked about a mask alone as protection. To summarize the answer it was maybe a shield alone offers ...
- 33
5
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Does a KN95 that says 'non medical' helps to protect against COVID-19?
I saw this type of face masks on a 'building tools' store (like home depot), and on the label said, among other things in chinese and english, non medical.
In this KN95 Masks Explained mentions
...
- 566
1
vote
0
answers
18
views
Why do respirators have separate inhalation and exhalation valves? [closed]
Thinking mostly of the elastomeric reusable respirators like 3M 6200, 3M 6800. Why not just exhale through the filters? Then it protects both ways. Would that be a problem?
- 11
4
votes
1
answer
419
views
What is the difference between medical grade and non-medical grade disposable masks?
One can buy a disposable product which appears identical to medical grade disposable surgical masks, but is not. The package or item description typically includes a clear indication that it is not ...
- 251
3
votes
0
answers
40
views
What happens to a disposable FFP2/N95 respirator during the prolonged use?
Background
The area I live in has a regulation that people should wear PPE when visiting grocery stores, etc. There is a shortage of PPE. I have access to some non-reusable FFP2-class respirators that ...
- 131
1
vote
1
answer
81
views
If tissue and kitchen paper masks achieve 90% of the filtering function of a surgical mask, why the CDC is not recommending them?
The university of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital said homemade mask, made using 2 kitchen and 1 tissue paper, achieved 90% of the filtering function of surgical masks.
That's a very good approximation ...
- 566
2
votes
0
answers
148
views
Effects of n95 respirator in-flight - from the point of view of ambient oxygen level
I have a generic question about the usage of n95/99 or higher filtration respirators in high-altitude flights. With current pandemic situation we see many government/airlines are enforcing the use of ...
2
votes
1
answer
84
views
What are some medical conditions and disabilities that might prevent someone from wearing a face covering during the COVID-19 outbreak?
In Oregon, my local news station said that many local businesses, such as airports, are requiring that everyone wear masks or face coverings to slow the spread of COVID-19. They said that those who ...
- 131
0
votes
0
answers
30
views
Is anyone (institution, city, country, individual ...) testing the usage of salt coated repiratory masks?
I'm referring to an article published in Nature: Universal and reusable virus deactivation system for respiratory protection. It has had some media coverage over the past few months, e.g. https://www....
- 1
2
votes
1
answer
76
views
Are hand-made mask using HEPA safe to breath through?
As we know, there are no N95, N99 nor N100 masks anymore.
In this YouTube video A Doctor Explains How to Make the Safest Face Mask, a doctor, and then his wife, talk about 'the safest face mask' hand-...
- 566
0
votes
1
answer
87
views
Alternatives other than face-mask-respirators for protection against COVID-19 [closed]
Could someone please tell me if these alternatives can also protect one against being infected by COVID-19 virus, when being outside (in grocery stores, markets, etc)?
If yes, how much of protection ...
- 566
2
votes
3
answers
91
views
Why wear half face disposable respirator inside full face powered air respirator?
I found this pic here. Aren't these Koreans overkilling by wearing half face disposable respirators, inside their 3M powered air respirators? Isn't a 3M powered air respirator enough?
user14
0
votes
0
answers
34
views
Reuse mask buy microwave??? Coronavirus [duplicate]
Just a wild idea of mine, can I reuse ER mask if I'm blasting it in the microwave to kill coronavirus or anything else on it? Will this disinfect the mask if there is anything on it, this is so I'll ...
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
56
views
Could a face masks prevent droplets even though it does not avoid virus infection? [closed]
Yesterday, I asked a question here Why is there a contrast between facemask use in 1918 Flu and the COVID-19? [closed]. I am just curious about why there is a change of attitude. Several people became ...
- 141
1
vote
2
answers
264
views
Bike pump as a ventilator?
I've been trying to think of the simplest, pre-existing item that could be used as a ventilator to support coronavirus patients that require it. I have come across this useful specification regarding ...
- 11
2
votes
0
answers
44
views
Should I wear mask to supermarket to protect myself from coronavirus? [duplicate]
US news keeps telling average people NO NEED to wear masks for coronavirus, but I see on TV that when Chinese/Korean/Japnese go out to the street, all of them wear masks.
If the US advise people to ...
- 141
1
vote
1
answer
50
views
Which studies have shown that UV radiations fail to reach some part on the mask and therefore may not be suitable for sanitizing masks?
I read on https://www.20minutes.fr/sante/2749451-20200328-coronavirus-traiter-masques-ffp2-reutiliser-possibilites-actuelles-limitees (mirror):
Plusieurs procédés ont déjà fait l’objet de tests, ...
- 10.3k
2
votes
0
answers
24
views
How many days does one have to wait before reusing a surgical or respiratory mask so that it is free of the SARS-CoV-2 virus? [duplicate]
I read the following in a private email:
One of my neighbors emailed me and said he has a few masks that he uses and recycles them; he wears one, when done he carefully stores it into a sealed ...
- 10.3k
2
votes
1
answer
96
views
Why don't we use complete white medical suits to have full protection instead of only masks?
If Covid-19 can float in the air over particles and be there for up to 3 hours (1:50 minute), and if the virus could get into your system through eyes, nose or mouth (See Spread from contact with ...
- 566
2
votes
1
answer
112
views
How resistant to moist heat is SARS-CoV-2
At one of FB groups I have found the following figure:
As the efficiency of disinfection methods has been tested against E. coli, I wonder, how resistant SARS-CoV-2 is? Is it safe to reuse FFP2/3 (...
- 121
0
votes
1
answer
52
views
Can ozone be used to efficiently sanitize respiratory or surgical masks against COVID-19?
I read on {1} that:
ozone in a mobile apparatus could be used to decontaminate rooms in health care facilities, hotels and other buildings.
Can ozone be used to efficiently sanitize respiratory ...
- 10.3k
8
votes
1
answer
473
views
Why is a (simple) mask not recommended for asymptomatic COVID-19 patients?
Information about (simple) mask wearing (concerning covid19) is a complete mystery to me. On several official places it is not recommended for a person without symptoms to wear a mask. For example:
...
- 183
1
vote
2
answers
334
views
Is there any upside of using N95 masks instead of N99 or N100 to protect against COVID-19?
One of the most commonly used masks/recommended to protect against COVID-19 is N95.
Is there any upside of using N95 masks instead of N99 or N100 to protect against COVID-19?
N95 which filter 95% of ...
- 10.3k
1
vote
5
answers
608
views
Why aren't we sterilizing N95 masks?
Please forgive the obvious question.
H2O2 vapor sterilization is deadly for the layperson but should be workable for hospitals. I can't find the small Chinese study I read the other day about it. ...
3
votes
2
answers
144
views
How does a sanding mask compare with a disposable medical mask?
[Moderator Edit: I'm reopening this question by request from third parties because medical staff around the world are being forced to use masks such as these.]
How does a sanding mask compare with a ...
- 470
5
votes
1
answer
94
views
Would facemasks reduce virus transmisions in vulnerable populations?
The US surgeon general has asked (tweeted) the public to not buy face masks, because the claim is that healthcare workers need them more.
CDC does recommend:
Facemasks should be used by people ...
- 817
3
votes
1
answer
570
views
How does a "normal" N95 respirators differ from a medical variant N95 respirator?
This question popped up as I was wondering if I could use my haze masks in place of a even normal-er surgical mask.
Didn't find any answers (or even the question) anywhere. I looked up 3M's ...
- 31
2
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Do surgical masks effectively protect me against passive smoking and off-gases from cars?
I really find myself threatened by the amount of passive smoke and off-gases of cars I have to inhale every day. I know that surgical mask are not the ultimate solution to it, but can I protect myself ...
1
vote
2
answers
534
views
Effective use of a mask for allergies, asthma and bronchitis?
I was diagnosed with adult onset asthma after a bout of bronchitis last year. On top of that, I have allergies to most environmentals and I live in a desert environment with dust in the air. So I am ...
- 335