Wear The Best Mask: N95 Mask for Sale for You

As more coronavirus variants appear on the scene, wearing a high-quality face mask is as important as ever. Many types of face masks have come up, some more effective than others, while some more are more expensive. Any face mask can do, but there is a difference between cloth face coverings and medical-grade respirators.

Cloth masks gained popularity as the pandemic raged because of their availability and low prices. But as the pandemic drags on, and new variants keep sprouting up from every corner, professional-grade masks have come into the limelight again. It is for this reason that you will need to consider the N95 mask for sale as the best protection against the raging COVID-19.

The science behind the N95 mask

A little knowledge of the science behind the N95 mask would make you appreciate the importance of the N95 mask for sale. There is enough evidence that wearing a face mask prevents the spread of coronavirus from one person to another. But when it comes to protection, not all masks are equal to the task.

The CDC recommends a tightly-fitting double mask or multi-layered masks to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the US. The N95 mask meets all these conditions because it fits closely around the mouth and nose, with three layers of filtration which eliminates up to 95% of particulate objects in the air. The material features both positive and negative charges that attract particles, including bacteria and viruses, from the air, trapping 95% of them.

This technology (anti-viral) was initially developed to curtail the spread of drug-resistant tuberculosis, and Peter Tsai went into retirement. But with the onset of COVID-19 and the shortage of N95 masks following a sharp spike in their demand, Tsai came out of retirement to help research on N95 decontamination.

Why the N95 mask is the best affordable option

There are many other masks in the market, especially those made from cloths, and you may wonder why the N95 would be the best option for stopping the spread of the virus. Some may be way cheaper, but may not measure up to the protection levels offered by the N95 respirator.

One of the reasons this mask excels is NIOSH-certification. Cheaper cloth masks flooding the market today may be effective, but don't have this qualification. This would mean that they have not been tested for efficiency, hence, their efficacy may be in doubt. But the N95 has been tested and proven to stop 95% of particles, including bacteria and viruses, from seeping through.

These masks have a strong track record, having been in use by medical personnel for quite some time. This means that you can rely on them to protect you from COVID-19 and any other harmful pathogens that float around in the air. If your doctor uses them, you have no reason to doubt them.

Other reasons for the appropriateness of the N95 mask include the following:

• Already multi-layered: The CDC recommends double masks or wearing two masks for increased efficiency. The N95 has three layers, hence, no need to wear several of them.
• Affordable: Compared to other high-quality masks, the N95 isn't that expensive.
• Comfortable: They are breathable, and allow for flexibility when talking, laughing, or sneezing without the risk of spilling the viruses out.

NIOSH Approval: what it is and why it matters

Before you can go the N95 mask for sale, you need to understand what the NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety) logo is doing on this respirator. It means this mask has been approved for use by the relevant authorities, an indication that it is safe and efficient.

The NIOSH approval also matters because it is a clear testament to the effectiveness of this mask. Before issuing the approval, thorough tests are conducted to ensure it meets the requirements, and it can fulfill what it says it can fulfill. In this case, NIOSH proves that the mask can stop 95% of the particles and bacteria, and viruses in the air.

N95 Masks for Sale at Protect Life

We at Protect Life understand the need for an affordable but high-quality mask for all our clients. We ensure that all the masks we on sale have the NIOSH certification, and meet all the requirements by the CDC. Visit our site for a selection of N95 masks and purchase yours today.

A short history of the N95

The N95 face mask came into the limelight in 1995 when it received its US patent after Peter Tsai, a Taiwanese-American, invented the mask filter. The tests showed that it achieved 95% efficiency in filtering our airborne particulates, hence the "95" in its name. Although it meets the NIOSH certification for face masks, it doesn't provide protection against gases and vapors. 

But the history of the N95 masks goes beyond its date of certification. The mask has several historical predecessors dating back to the 19th century, which saw Philips a sterilized cloth with two layers of cotton mull soaked in chloroform. In another incident, a Paris surgeon investigated the protective efficiency of face masks during surgery.

In 1910, during the Manchurian plague, Lien-te Wu, a Chinese working at the Imperial Court, designed cloth face masks that later inspired the use of masks during the 1918 flu pandemic. Another predecessor mask came into being during World War 1 and was quickly adopted by miners. But they had to contend with its bulky nature since it contained fiberglass and rubber.

Fast-forward to the 70s, and the Bureau of Mines and NIOSH began to develop standards for single-use respirators. In 1972, 3M developed the first N95 mask for single-use, relying on a melt-blowing process employed in other uses, such as the manufacture of bra cups, and ribbon bows.

The N95 respirator was originally designed for industrial use, but times changed and it became a healthcare standard after the incorporation of the virus-blocking technology by Peter Tsai, a University of Tennessee professor. It is the virus-blocking technology that propelled this respirator to the limelight when the coronavirus struck.