As COVID-19 began to sweep our nation at the beginning of 2020, N95 filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) quickly became commonplace in healthcare. However, N95 FFRs were considered reserved for healthcare and frontline workers as they offer protection from airborne particulates, in comparison to surgical masks that protect only from splashes and sprays of large droplets. As the pandemic progressed and supply and demand evened out, the general public started to purchase and reap the benefits of N95 respirators. But many are left wondering how these types of respirators work to decrease the risk of airborne transmission of pathogens; part of the answer is in the filters. To read more on what an N95 respirator is and what it is used for, click here.
N95 filtering facepiece respirators and are evaluated, tested, and approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). An N95 filter is rated “N” as it protects against non-oil aerosols and has a 95% minimum efficiency of removing 0.3 micron particles at a test flow rate of 85 L/min. A 0.3 micron particle is not visible to the human eye, but it is equivalent in size to some dust and most fumes. Generally, N95 filters are made from flexible non-woven polypropylene fiber. The electrostatic mechanisms of an N95 filter attract and intercept foreign particles. Once a particle meets a filter fiber, it is removed from the airstream and strongly held by molecular attractive forces. Therefore, it is very difficult for such particles to be removed once they are collected.
The N95 NIOSH-approved envo mask respirator uses electrostatically charged filters to filter out airborne particulates. The envo mask respirator includes an N95 filter with cutting-edge technology that offers protection against viruses, wildfire smoke, particulate pollution, construction dust, and more. Our N95 filters are assembled using four layers of proprietary fibers, which makes the envo mask one of the lowest resistant respirators on the market. Lower resistance equates to easier breathability.
The envo mask respirator can help protect against harmful, airborne pathogens to ensure you are kept safe whether at work or on the go. To learn more about our filter technology, watch the video below. For more information about envo mask, visit www.envomask.com.
