High-quality face masks and respirators have become a crucial part of the new normal. It’s because they save us from catching an infection. However, due to the increased demand for essential face masks and respirators, the world is facing an acute shortage of these masks. Therefore, proper use of face masks is important. This article will guide you on how to use, reuse, and dispose of face masks, especially N95 respirator masks.
While wearing face masks is crucial, the importance of hand hygiene and hand sanitization cannot be underestimated. Also, make sure to disinfect touched surfaces with alcohol-based disinfectants frequently.
Practicing these measures can reduce the pressure on wholesale N95 masks manufacturers to produce masks on a large scale. Some of the commonly used face masks include cloth masks, N95 respirators, 3-layered surgical masks, or disposable masks. We will discuss each type one by one.
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Now, let’s look at the different types of face masks.
Various Types of Face Masks Available
Healthy and fully-vaccinated people may not wear face masks when at home and not taking care of any patient.
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Cloth Masks
Cloth masks are not an ideal solution if you’re taking care of infected patients. They do not offer sufficient protection against the virus. However, they are still better than not having any masks. Using a HEPA (High-efficiency Particulate Air) filter with a cloth mask might enhance its effectiveness. However, it causes difficulty in breathing.
The HEPA filter is at least 99.97% efficient in eliminating mono-disperse particles of 0.3 mm in diameter. If a face mask is not available, the general public can use face coverings, like a scarf or bandana to cover their faces.
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Surgical Masks
Surgical masks or disposable masks are made of polypropylene. These loose-fitting masks are effective in blocking particles, droplets, sprays, or splashes containing germs from reaching the nose and mouth. However, it does not block airborne pathogens that may be transmitted by coughing or sneezing.
It is recommended for healthcare and frontline workers as well as people caring for sick persons with respiratory infections and common symptoms like fever, cough, and sneezing.
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N95 Respirators
The CDC recommends the use of the best N95 respirator masks by healthcare and frontline workers who are exposed to a higher risk of contamination. N95 respirators are made of polypropylene and filter out at least 95% of very small (0.3 microns) particles. These masks are efficient in blocking 95%, 99%, and 99.9% of particles in the air, of size up to 0.3 microns.
N95 FFRs can filter out all kinds of particles, like bacteria and viruses. Since these are high-quality and sophisticated types of face masks, they must be used judiciously.
N95 respirators are mandatory for healthcare and frontline workers who are treating infected patients or patients under observation. They can wear when entering the premise of COVID-19-positive or suspected patients. These masks can also be used while receiving clinical specimens, filthy medical equipment, or supplies when exposed to potentially-contaminated environmental surfaces.
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How to Dispose of Different Types of Used Face Masks?
Used face masks or respirators must be treated as medical waste. However, people tend to reuse the used face mask, putting their lives in danger. Infected masks may contain respiratory secretions that can be transmitted through the air. So, you need to be more cautious. Remember to wash your hands before and after doffing the face mask.
Now, let’s take a look at how to dispose of different types of face masks.
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Cloth Masks
If you want to reuse a cloth mask, you must wash it properly and frequently. Then, let it hang out to air dry.
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Surgical Masks
Surgical masks should be removed chin upwards. Remember to remove it from the strings and not touch your face, nose, mouth, or eyes while removing the mask. After removing it, fold it half inwards in a way that droplets from the nose or mouth are not exposed. Now, fold the mask into a roll.
You can wrap the mask with its ear loops so that it remains intact. Next, wrap the mask in a polythene bag or tissue paper and finally throw it in the trash bin. Make sure to wash your hands after discarding the mask.
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N95 Respirators
Hold the edge of the string attached to the N95 respirator and then gently remove the mask. Never touch the internal layer of the respirator. Don’t forget to wash and sanitize your hand before and after the removal. Put the contaminated mask in a plastic or zip-lock bag. Then place the plastic bag into the trash bin or biomedical waste disposal bin. Also, avoid wearing a new mask without properly washing or sanitizing your hands.
Should We Reuse or Sterilize Face Masks?
Reusing means using the same N95 respirator for frequent, multiple contacts with patients but taking it off after each encounter. The mask is kept safely in between encounters to be worn again.
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Cloth Masks
Cloth masks should be properly washed, disinfected, air dried, and reused.
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Surgical Masks
If the mask is dry and its layers and shape are in place, keep it on a zip lock bag with a desiccated gel. The gel keeps the face mask dry by absorbing the moisture. If the face mask remains in a good shape and is not worn out, it can be reused for three days. If an infected person wears a face mask, he or she should not reuse or share the mask.
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N95 Respirators
When not in use, store the N95 respirator mask in a sealed plastic container, dispose of it, and then clean the containers regularly. To reuse the N95 respirator, you must keep the used mask in the dry place for about 3-4 days and let it dry completely. N95 respirators are made of polypropylene which is hydrophobic and contains no moisture. COVID-19 survives on a host. It can live on a metallic surface for up to 48 hours. And, on a cardboard or a plastic surface for up to 72 hours.
The virus is most likely to die if you allow the respirator to dry for at least 3-4 hours. It’s good to use four N95 respirators if possible and number them 1 to 4. On day 1 you can wear mask 1, and then let it dry completely for 3-4 days. You can follow the same process on day 2, day 3, and day 4.
Another option is to sterilize the N95 respirator mask. You can hang the mask in the kitchen oven, without touching the metal, at 70⁰C for about half an hour. You can use a wooden cloth clip for hanging the N95 respirator in the oven. UV rays degrade the quality of N95 masks. Therefore, you must keep them away from sunlight or UV radiation.
It’s also a good practice to label the mask’s string with your name to prevent anyone from using your worn mask. Also, do not forget to follow all the guidelines provided by the wholesale N95 masks manufacturers. Even if you’re using the Best N95 respirator mask for yourself or your staff, these masks can be used a maximum of up to 5 times.
Final Thought
If the healthcare professionals and the general public take all the precautionary measures, we can control the spread of the coronavirus and its new variants. We can even reduce the shortage of face masks, respirators, and other PPE items.
Moreover, it can reduce the stress on wholesale N95 mask manufacturers to meet the demand spikes during the pandemic. With the emergence of the new Omicron variant, everyone should continue wearing face masks, practicing proper hand hygiene, and using other PPE when required. Let’s pray for a 100% COVID-free world soon.
Frequently Asked Question
Q.1. When to dispose of N95 respirators?
Ans. You should dispose of N95 respirators
- After its use during aerosol-generating processes
- When it is contaminated with respiratory or nasal secretions, blood, splashes, or other body fluids from infected patients
- After a close encounter with any patient infected with a contagious disease that needs encounter precautions
It’s good to use a cleanable face shield over N95 respirators. This will reduce mask contamination. When taking off the used N95 respirator, make sure to use a pair of clean gloves. Also, do not forget to perform a user seal check. Immediately discard the contaminated gloves after their use properly.
Q.2. For how many hours can N95 respirators be used?
Ans. At a stretch, a person can use an N95 respirator mask for up to 8 hours as long as it is not contaminated, according to the CDC.
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