With the influenza A H1N1 influenza virus in more and more countries raging, professional demand for individual protective equipment surge, masks has become one of the many countries on the market tight stuff. What is the role of commonly used masks, N95 masks and what does that mean?

At present there are four common masks. First, surgical masks. Made of three-layer non-woven fabric, suitable for use in the operating room environment, can block the diameter of about 4 microns above the particles. Second, activated carbon medical masks. Add activated carbon materials, the most important role is the taste, not anti-bacterial virus. Third, dust masks. The main function is dust, anti-bacterial function in general. Four ordinary paper masks. Blocking large particles useful, less than 5 micron diameter virus can easily pass, bacteria function is limited.

N95 mask is the United States Occupational Safety and Health Institute (NIOSH) certified 9 kinds of dust masks one, N on behalf of its material is only applicable to filter non-oily dust, 95 on behalf of its filtration effect of at least 95%.

NIOSH will mask standards are divided into three categories, N, R, P representatives of the protection object. N is non-oily particles, R, P is oily particles, but the R-class protective oil-based particles can only be maintained for 8 hours, P-level without this limit. There are three types of masks for these three categories: 95 (95%), 99 (99%), 100 (99.97%). Because biological particles are mostly non-oily particles, so the use of N can be. N95 grade that can protect non-oily particles filter efficiency of 95%, is the certification of all the most basic level.

Cardiac or respiratory system is not suitable for wearing N95 masks. Most people wear should also pay attention to whether there is dizziness, difficulty breathing, skin sensitivity and other issues, when found to be improper immediately removed.