User:PaulaUPRC/N95 mask

= Lead section = An N95 mask for industrial use Surgical N95 respirators for use in health care are both approved by NIOSH and cleared by the FDA.

An N95 mask or N95 respirator is a particulate-filtering facepiece respirator that meets the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) N95 classification of air filtration, meaning that it filters at least 95% of airborne particles. This standard does not require that the respirator be resistant to oil; another standard, P95, adds that requirement. The N95 type is the most common particulate-filtering facepiece respirator. It is an example of a mechanical filter respirator, which provides protection against particulates but not against gases or vapors.

N95 respirators are considered functionally equivalent to certain respirators regulated under non-U.S. jurisdictions, such as FFP2 respirators of the European Union and KN95 respirators of China. However, slightly different criteria are used to certify their performance, such as the filter efficiency, test agent and flow rate, and permissible pressure drop.

The N95 mask has made a great impact in 2019 with the COVID-19 pandemic. Although, at the beginning of the pandemic researchers weren't sure how the diseased spread, the prevention method was using N95 masks because of their effective air filtration.

= Use = The N95 mask requires a fine mesh of synthetic polymer fibers, specifically a nonwoven polypropylene fabric. It is produced by melt blowing and forms the inner filtration layer that filters out hazardous particles. Infographic on three key factors required for a respirator to be effective – click to enlarge Guidance for performing a user seal check, which is required every time a respirator is put on – click to enlarge

Fit testing is a critical component of a respiratory protection program whenever workers use tight-fitting respirators. OSHA (US) requires an initial respirator fit test to identify the right model, style, and size respirator for each worker; as well, as annual fit tests. Additionally, tight-fitting respirators, including the N95, require a user seal check each time one is put on. Facial hair at the sealing area of the respirator will cause it to leak.

Respirators require a medical evaluation before use because they can make breathing more difficult. Some conditions that could prevent respirator use include heart conditions, lung disease, and psychological conditions such as claustrophobia. In the United States, medical evaluation is required once, prior to initial fit testing and use, although it may need to be repeated if any adverse signs or symptoms are observed. The use of the mask decreases the chances of getting a virus that spreads through-out the air into your body.

For persons who are medically disqualified from negative-pressure respirators, or who cannot pass a fit test due to facial hair or other reasons, a powered air-purifying respirator is a possible alternative.

= COVID-19 pandemic = Main article: Face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic § N95 and FFP masks

N95 masks were proven to be highly effective in preventing transmission of the Coronavirus disease 2019, leading to mass shortages during the pandemic. On January 24, 2020, Taiwan announced that it was imposing a temporary ban on the export of masks. The masks came to be in short supply and high demand during the COVID-19 pandemic, causing price gouging and hoarding, often leading to the confiscation of masks. Production of N95 masks was limited due to constraints on the supply of nonwoven polypropylene fabric (which is used as the primary filter) as well as the cessation of exports from China.

In Canada, the Quebec company (AMD Medicom) began making masks in 1997 through an agreement with United Medical Enterprises in Atlanta, Georgia. Medicom added factories in Shanghai in 2002, Yilan Taiwan in 2010, and France in 2011. As the pandemic escalated, China, France, and Taiwan either prohibited the export of masks, or requisitioned Medicom's output for local use. The federal government of Canada came to an agreement with Medicom to buy millions of masks over the next ten years, leading to Medicom announcing plans to open a new factory; in Montreal. Novo Textiles in British Columbia quickly acquired a surgical mask making machine, and announced plans to acquire an N95 making machine as well.

In March 2020, President Donald Trump applied the Defense Production Act against the American company 3M that allows the Federal Emergency Management Agency to obtain as many N95 respirators as it needs from 3M. In early April 2020, Berlin politician Andreas Geisel alleged that a shipment of 200,000 N95 masks that were ordered from the American producer 3M's in China's facility, was intercepted in Bangkok and diverted to the United States. Berlin police president Barbara Slowik stated that she believed "this is related to the US government's export ban."However, Berlin police later corrected themselves and confirmed that the shipment was not seized by U.S. authorities, but was said to have simply been bought at a better price.

N95 mask that was being used during the COVID-19 pandemic started causing people some medical conditions; due to the fact, that they had to wear the mask constantly while working and every time they could be exposed to the coronavirus.

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