Wellness

[FlowerBear]

would anyone know if 3m n95 8210 is a safe mask to wear for the pandemic?

[piperbay]

There is an interesting article from The People's Pharmacy website about tests performed to see which mask is best.   

From Dr. Eric Westman at Duke. The best were fitted N95 masks. No droplets were able to escape.

Three layer surgical masks and cotton masks were also reasonably effective stopping spread of droplets.

N95 with valves, gaiter masks or neck fleece did poorly.

[SilleeMee]

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@FlowerBear wrote:

would anyone know if 3m n95 8210 is a safe mask to wear for the pandemic?

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Yes.

[goldensrbest]

I thought they were hard to buy.

[KingstonsMom]

Make sure not to confuse the KN95 mas with the N95 mask, according to the CDC, the KN95 is not as effective as the N95 mask.

Info available on CDC's website.

Also be aware of 'counterfeit' masks:

Counterfeit Respirators / Misrepresentation of NIOSH-Approval | NPPTL | NIOSH | CDC

[SilleeMee]

Important difference between N95 masks:

[hckynut]

@SilleeMee 

I am assuming this is a 1-way valve. When they showed videos of China a few years ago where pollution resembled a thick fog. Most were wearing masks, and I am pretty sure it was to protect themselves, not others.

If not for self protection I can't see a surgical type masks being made with, what essentially to me anyways, is an exhaust valve. Just like an internal combustion engine, to exhaust fuel waste, which in humans is carbon dioxide.

I don't wear a mask often, and when I do, it is for a very short period of time. After looking at the inside of the disposable masks given me when entering the hospital after just a couple uses? They may be protecting others, but they certainly don't appear to be protecting me. 

Wore one for awhile ice skating thinking it would get my skating leg blood temperature up quicker so I could really skate. It did help a little, but the trade off in oxygen intake effort? Not worth the extra effort. And the inside of my mask? Just short of gross. 

Glad I have easy access to as many hospital masks as I need to change often.

hckynut 

hckynut 

[SilleeMee]

@hckynut 

Yes, that's a one-way valve. Those kind are usually worn by construction workers. The valve makes it easier to exhale. 

[LizzieInSRQ]

Yes, but hard to get because hospitals need them

[hckynut]

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@LizzieInSRQ wrote:

Yes, but hard to get because hospitals need them

@LizzieInSRQ 

Not sure why anyone would even want one, unless they have tested positive. In that case, they shouldn't be out in public, if they are following the safety guidelines.

hckynut 

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