5 Layer N-95 Protective Mask by 3M

$35.00

Sold by box (20 Masks per Box)

The N95 Mask by 3M is a standard for respiratory equipment which filters 95% of particulates greater than 0.3 microns. N95 masks are a PPE. They offer significant protection over standard surgical blue 3 ply masks and are recommended by the CDC.

Filtering face-piece respirators (FFR) are subject to various regulatory standards around the world (see examples below) and provide a much higher level of protection with face form fitting and greater pressure drop. To claim compliance with the particular standard as listed below, these respirators must meet or exceed required physical properties and performance characteristics, which can vary according to the regulatory bodies of different countries.

N95 (United States NIOSH-42CFR84)
KN95 (China GB2626-2006)
FFP2 (Europe EN 149-2001)

They are not exactly the same, but they are expected to function very similarly to one another. KN95 face mask is N95 equivalent but NOT NIOSH approved.

A reference by 3M in a technical bulletin* released in January 2020 demonstrates that the several country-specific standards used to grade the FFR tend to converge into functional equivalence. N95 (US), KN95 (China) and FFP2 (EU) standards produce FFR devices that are similar enough to be interchangeable for the purposes of their use in a pandemic. All of them are good for filtering non-oil-based particles such as those resulting from wildfires, PM 2.5 air pollution, volcanic eruptions, or bioaerosols (e.g. viruses).