aaron collins mask spreadsheet aaron collins mask spreadsheet

hide caption. The Fix the Mask brace plus surgical is thought to protect better than many N95s when speaking because it is flexible. But an N95 mask will do a better job of protecting you. "I know I said I was done last March," Aaron Collins said on his YouTube channel, where he'd been posting his reviews of KF94, KN95 and 95 masks for the past 18 months. These were written by the volunteer staff of Masks4All. How to identify a NIOSH-approved respirator: NIOSH-approved respirators have an approval label on or within the packaging of the respirator (i.e. Many people understand that better filtration will better protect you from inhaling viruses. Here is a spreadsheet by Collins, which summarizes his results. We know of only one consumer grade PAPR on the market, the. Another option to consider is a filter made from the same material as a surgical mask, such as. Sales Policy One way to protect yourself from this and other potentially harmful mutations is to wear a better mask. We only ask that you give the link masks4all.co/faqs-on-better-masks as the source of the information. Other clear masks on the market are likely no better than a cloth mask. He's. Its not clear to us how well this would work for teaching if you need to speak loudly. In the CDC experiment cited below, the reduction in exposure with an ear loop design to the tested particles was just 7.5%. Most PAPRs are industrial looking and impractical for everyday use. . Masks and Face Coverings 2) Types of Respirators 3) How Respirators Work 4) Who Can Use Respirators? However, it is not clear how well it fits. While surgical masks provide very high filtration materials. The Wirecutter assessment appears to be the best information available to the public at this time and their most recent report included testing for each masks filtration capabilities. The quality control for KN95s is so lacking that in October 2020 the FDA warned that the agency is concerned that certain filtering facepiece respirators (respirators) from China may not provide consistent and adequate respiratory protection. As such it would no longer update its emergency use list, which had specified KN95s. The mask is said to transmit sound well, and is one of the most comfortable N95s on the market. Real KN95s have GB2626 imprinted ON the mask, 2. We will indicate which ones have at least listed data on their websites indicating high levels of fit and filtration. If you want a South Korean KF94 respirator, Collins says you can try online shops like Be Healthy USA and Kollecte USA. It was one of 10 Phase 1 winners in the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority Mask Innovation Challenge:Building Tomorrows Mask. It costs $50 with five filters. The filtration quality is identical for those two standards. The design looks as if it would convey sound well. pic.twitter.com/yDMHqkxZYp, Amanda Hu (@amandalhu) December 20, 2021. YES 2.2 Is it OK to just wear the mask over my mouth and leave my nose out? 3. You should always wear a mask. Its a duckbill style, so it does look a bit weird. While weve studied many materials, none of us are aerosol scientists or doctors. No, the mask should cover your nose to block aerosols coming out of it and block any that you might breathe in from the air around you. (This answer is from https://tinyurl.com/FAQ-aerosols here. The Content is intended to complement, not substitute, the advice of your doctor. Here are three videos explaining how to do this hack: UNC Health: Pro Tip to Help Your Earloop Mask Fit More Tightly (Video linked to by the CDC). There is no need to ask permission. So let's kick it off. This study did not specify the quality of the procedure mask used. Another concern is that many of the filters that come with masks are made out of low quality filtration materials. It only comes in one size, so it may not work well for your face. We recommend you review the CDC page with the agencys official mask guidance. It comes out of the package with a v-shape in the nose wire. I dont work for (or with) them and they dont pay me.. CreditCharlie Rubin for The New York Times. If it is too hard to breathe, try one of the cloth masks rated highly for breathability and see if it gives you a good fit. If you can afford its high initial cost, $249, this is probably the easiest breathing better mask option on the market. Lloyd Armbrust, the CEO of mask manufacturer Armbrust American bought every mask he could find on Amazon. Below are two of the many colors available. See these reports. Even though surgical masks made to the ASTM level 2 or 3 standard can filter over 95% of the particle sizes you wish to remove, the loose fit brings their fitted filtration efficiency (FFE) down to about 38.1% (ear loop version) to 71.5% (with head ties), according to. on the box itself and/or within the users instructions). Trisha Greenhalgh, a highly-respected Professor of Primary Care at the University of Oxford, tweeted on Feb. 3, 2021 that Im road-testing [the facegaiter] that develops the bandana pulled up over your nose idea. The CDC. The, We recommend you review the CDC page with the agencys official mask guidance. The Envo Mask is profiled above here. High-grade masks also have an electrostatically charged filter that helps attract and trap particles. page to determine if the respirator has been approved by NIOSH. KF94 masks are similar but offer 94% filtration. Medical professionals must pass a fit test with an N95 respirator in order to ensure they are wearing it properly. Even if you inhale some, you will inhale less of them, perhaps too few to get infected. Green numbers are best. Some minimum KN95s filtration results were under 26%! indicating fitted filtration efficiency of about 85%. As you breathe, the high water vapor content of your warm breath will condense on the lens, a good thing as it shows air going through mask. Mr. Collins, the Mask Nerd, has created a number of lists and resources for mask buyers. However, we have not purchased one and we have never seen one in use. KN95 is a Chinese respirator standard, but these respirators aren't strictly regulated by the Chinese government, according to both Collins and Miller. The Envo Mask has NIOSH N95 certification and provided us with a NIOSH label via email indicating N95 approval with use of the mask valve plug now shipped with the mask. We cant recommend you buy a KN95, but if you do, you should buy one at a major US retailer that was tested and exceeded filtration standards in the report cited above. Using this guideline, a rotation of just five respirators could last you 25 days, Miller notes. A one-size-fits-all mask may well not fit you well. Thats why NIOSH certified elastomerics typically have an exhalation valve. 10.Do not steam the face mask, and do not put it in Microwave oven. He communicates his results through his YouTube videos . Almost all N95 masks use head straps two elastic bands that wrap behind the head. Collins' spreadsheet identifies five basic types: bifold, boat, cup, cone and duckbill. Knowing which mask to pick and making sure its not a fake requires the sleuthing skills of a forensic investigator. The other headform had the surgical mask hack of a knotted and tucked medical procedure mask. It found the receiver with the modified surgical mask, the receivers cumulative exposure was reduced by 64.5% compared to not wearing a mask. Most of these products have an ear loop design. Clear Masks Communicating with deaf persons, use by persons using American Sign Language, or persons who need to convey facial expressions, FAQs on Protecting Yourself from COVID-19 Aerosol Transmission. It took a few tries, but we settled on the WellBefore petite-small KN95 for kids. TheFlo Pro is worth considering, especially if you are looking for a very breathable mask. The Wirecutter regularly publishes updated reviews of what they consider the best cloth masks on the market. Collins' spreadsheet identifies five basic types: bifold, boat, cup, cone and duckbill. , the mask should cover your nose to block aerosols coming out of it and block any that you might breathe in from the air around you. (This answer is from, unless you are outdoors at a sufficient distance. They might just add more air resistance without adding much, if any, filtration efficiency. N95s come in different shapes and sizes these days. Without the mask hack, a surgical mask only reduced exposure by 7.5%. These masks have special features aimed at providing more comfort. But early in the pandemic, when N95 supplies were scarce, doctors and nurses found themselves reusing their respirators. If a manufacturer starts making shoddy masks, NIOSH will yank approval. The CDC also has this page: Improve How Your Mask Protects You.. I used Collins' list to find a respirator that worked for my 7-year-old. For protecting yourself in daily life, either will work equally well. If you cant place a surgical mask over the valve, another option is to plug or cover the valve, which is likely fine for short term use such as shopping. . If you must talk in an N95 for work, the Airgami may also be a good mask to consider. Various 3D printer mask fitters (search online). Communication Preferences. The paper also mentions Pa L/s, which are also known as Pa m3/s. One final thing to look for be sure to check the test results on the manufacturers website. Updating spreadsheets and other shared documents when necessary. Search for Half Facepiece Reusable Respirator or a similar term and you will find many options. For KN95 masks, you can use two checklists from the Food and Drug Administration. It is surprisingly affordable at a list price of about $40 for a pack of 20 masks. Some people think filtration effectiveness is based on how small the holes are in the material, but thats not how cloth or high tech materials work. Collins has tested a bunch of brands you can find his results for kids' masks here, which also suggest which masks might fit different age ranges best. If you find you can breathe easily, then chances are this option is fine. HIS INDEPENDENT TESTING HAS BEEN INVALUABLE IN CONFIRMING THAT THE MASKS RECOMMENDED HERE ARE PERFORMING TO THEIR ADVERTISED STANDARDS. While you can find some good KN95s (the ones made by Powecom have done well in tests), low-quality or outright fake KN95s have been a problem throughout the pandemic. The mask also comes in three sizes, one appropriate for kids and two for adults. Although the basics are easy to understand, becoming an expert can be challenging, especially as the capability of additive technologies rapidly advances. The paper did not specify which model of the Easy Mask was tested this is our best guess by examining the paper and the Easy Mask website descriptions of their mask options. His advice is to buy KF94 masks from companies with direct importing relationships to South Korea. The N95 mask is considered the gold standard in personal protection. See our explanation above for more info. This article by The Wirecutter gives solid advice on reuse. Yes, small droplets and aerosols can travel much further than 6 feet as documented in this paper here. So if you want to provide the best protection for yourself, you need to remove facial hair so your mask can create a good seal. Youll find cup style masks, duck bill masks and flat-fold masks. Collins also recommends Armbrust, a company that sells medical-grade masks made in the U.S. by itself and various manufacturers. How to Find a Quality Mask (and Avoid Counterfeits), https://www.nytimes.com/article/covid-masks.html. For example, I dislike rigid. Another sure sign of a fake is a mask with earloops. This may be especially true for N95 masks, which come in different shapes, with cone/cup, v-fold, duckbill being the most common. Keep in mind the CDC tests are for the sample tested and may or may not be representative of a larger lot,including the one you may buy. Higher tech materials, which are usually made out of a meltblown polypropylene layer, can do a much better job of filtering the smaller particles. If you decide to use an elastomeric, be sure to carefully follow the manufacturers instructions for putting it on and taking it off. (scroll down to Appendix A) from October 15, 2020 is nice, but the February NPPTL report is more useful. Welcome to AuthoritarianMasks where Covid is Real, Vaccines Save Lives, & Highly Protective Masks Rule. As for N95s? He's also known as the Mask Nerd because he has been testing hundreds of masks over the last year and a half. If you are getting fogging on your glasses, you need to improve the seal around your nose. The company says the mask is designed for little lungs, so we focused heavily on the breathability of our filter. It has fewer layers and the company claims the filter has unparalleled breathability. This reusable mask offers a silicone seal and a filter tested by Nelson Labs that for the samples offered over 99% filtration efficiency and good breathability. Sitemap summarizes the evidence for this combination. The general guidance from manufacturers and the CDC is to not reuse a disposable respirator more than five times. Remember that the best mask filtration material wont do you much good if your mask doesnt fit your face well. Here is the official NIOSH guidance regarding facial hair, which is available here. For child-size respirators, you have to look at KN95s and KF94s. This is the only better mask we know that claims to work with most beards. In some cases, it is helpful to have a clear mask so others can read your lips or see your facial expressions. You can also look up the TC approval number using the certified equipment list. National standards are expected soon, which will provide consumers with some basic information on filtration efficiency of cloth masks. indicated the Outdoor Research mask was the most breathable. No conclusions can be made regarding equivalency to N95 products that are NIOSH approved. He and Miller say N95s with a breathing pocket or duckbill shape tend to fit a large number of people. . We recommend you use an N95 or similar grade mask. Use this F.D.A. If you want to know where Aaron bought each mask from: Look in the video description. No action should be taken based upon any information contained in this website. Metal parts, like nose pieces sometimes called nose clips or wires, nanoparticles (ultrafine particles), or antimicrobial coating that may contain metal (such as silver or copper), may become hot and burn the patient during an MRI. Flu seasons generally have perhaps 10% infected in the span of 16 weeks. "You've got to kind of find your respirator, which is a weird thing to say these days. Where will the concentrated aerosols from a person go? 2023 The American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Yale economic study finds that the benefit of each additional cloth mask worn by the public is conservatively worth $3,000-$6,000. Many masks come with adjustable straps. One way to check is to put on a pair of glasses or sunglasses. The Korean FDA also has a portal to check for genuine KF94s, though it's currently only in Korean. (Emphasis added.). We do not endorse any product listed in this guide this is for your information only. It looks like it provides an excellent fit, as documented in this video below. But if you want a mask that offers improved protection, you should avoid wearing either a cloth mask or surgical mask alone. On February 2, 2021 the National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL). As noted in https://tinyurl.com/FAQ-aerosols: Like other recommendations, these social distance rules will reduce risk, but not eliminate it. Edit Aaron's top KF94 mask recommendations (as of late December) are in this video segment . The design is unique in that it allows unusual movement of the mouth when speaking compared to other respirators. They wouldn't fit his face, so the efficiency testing would fail miserably. December 2021. The CDC recommends the knotted and tucked hack. If you want to have a good possibility of effective filtration assurance in the 80% to 90% range or better, youll need to get one of the better mask options described in Section 6. A leaky mask wont provide the protection you need. No N95 mask has been approved for children, so any mask that claims to be an N95 for kids is a fake. This number shows how well the mask filters out unwanted particles. Many uncertified and fake foreign masks put 95 in the name. using headforms and a simulated cough by an unmasked person. Collins, who tests respirators on his Youtube channel, agrees with the CDC's recommendation to ditch cloth masks for tight-fitting masks that feature polypropylene filters: tightly woven. You can check out his Twitter feed, his YouTube channel and a spreadsheet he has created of nearly 450 different masks and how they performed in his tests. In his free time, he makes YouTube videos in which he tests and reviews . If you use a cloth mask alone, the CDC recommends two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric. However, we dont recommend double masking with two cloth masks with two or more layers of fabric. @Thatquaratined1 asked me to do a quick video about fixing the nose bridge fit on a KN95. If youre buying a KF94 on Amazon, look closely at the packaging to make sure its made in Korea and includes the required labeling (see below for more details). The OSR-Model 1 does not yet have NIOSH approval, but its website provides strong test results. There is no need for a filter that is rated for organic vapors to protect yourself from the virus. 2023 The American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Editor's Note: Part 1 of a two-part commentary explains the differences in cloth face coverings and surgical masks, the science of respiratory protection, and the hierarchy of disease controls.Part 2, to be published tomorrow, will outline what makes a good mask study and why so many fail.. Dr Brosseau is a national expert on respiratory protection and infectious diseases and a research . There are some clues to detect fakes. If you have a fold style N95 mask or KN95 mask, you need to work the nose wire to get a proper seal. 9.1 Teaching 9.2 Masks for retail sales employees and wait staff at restaurants 9.3 Clear Masks Communicating with deaf persons, use by persons using American Sign Language, or persons who need to convey facial expressions 9.4 Hair Salons. Indoor air is a constantly changing, turbulent environment. Other cloth masks tested for the paper ranged from 26.5% to about 50% in FFE. Wider masks are better for larger faces. There is at least one report from a mask expert that it has considerable leakage around the nose. If you need to wear an N95 mask for work, youre not allowed to have a beard or facial hair that would interfere with getting your mask a tight seal. With a rise in the delta variant, school mask mandates and recommendations from major medical groups that all children. Which respirator is right for me? And do they have to be uncomfortable? pic.twitter.com/SJfkMoWjZ1, curiouser and curiouser (@SueSueCurious) January 13, 2022, We strongly recommend you read this excellent document by 3M, which is titled Filtering Facepiece Respirators FAQ: General Public., It covers the following topics: 1) Respirators vs. CDC recommends the use of a mask fitter in its official Feb. 13, 2021 guidance titled, ] indicated that when fitters are secured over a medical procedure mask, they can potentially increase the wearers protection by 90% for aerosols in the size range considered to be the most important for transmitting SARS-CoV-2 (generally <10 m)., The CDC confirms that mask fitters work. It appears the minimum purchase size is 50 in a box, but this option may well be the most affordable mask that offers N95 protection while talking. KN95 and KF94 masks have styles made for children, so once you find one, you need to go through the same vetting process that you would use for an adult mask, using the links below. Its elastomeric construction and use of head straps, which we recommend, should provide a good fit. I don't think it is reasonable to criticize Aaron Collins for not testing every mask that exists, even masks that have unique certifications. There are several N95s available in small sizes that may fit an older child. Probably. Video on masking for kids under 12 and companion spreadsheet of tested kids masks from Aaron Collins (also a parent). Parents searching for good respirator options for their children can check out the work of Aaron Collins, aka "Mask Nerd," a mechanical engineer with a background in aerosol science. Change in U.S. treasury bond yield since Jan. 23, 2020. The masks come in a range of sizes. Aaron Collins ( u/coll0412) tests and reviews various KN95 / KF94 masks, so that you can know which ones are best. Moldex 2600 Series Special Ops N95 Particulate Respirator Mask with HandyStrap - Medium/Large. 1.2 Who has written these FAQs? Some cloth masks provide good fit, but surgical masks have a loose fit. . The Wirecutter, a product review site owned by The New York Times, recommends the 3M 6502QL/49489 Rugged Comfort Quick Latch Half Facepiece Reusable Respirator, which it says is comfortable to wear and widely available in multiple sizes. It also recommends the 3M 3M 2097 P100 filters, which we agree are a good choice for excellent protection. And if you do get infected, experts believe you have a better chance of having a mild case because your infectious dose would be smaller. For example, Miller says the front of KN95s are supposed to be stamped with both the company name and the respirator standard number. Here are options of special interest for teachers. Here is a tweet with a letter from the maker of the ReadiMask attesting to its suitability for an MRI. You can find a link to the online store he used to buy each mask he tested. But overall, it can be hard to tell if you've got the real deal with any mask, which is why Collins and Miller both say it's important to buy from a trusted source. The Wirecutter review indicated that the Kitsbow solid, Cottonique Elite and Baggu masks were the most breathable among the favorite masks they tested. Some American consumers really prefer the flat-fold shape and ear loop attachments of the KN95 so much so that "one really anomalous thing has happened," says Anne Miller of Project N95, a nonprofit organization that connects consumers with legitimate masks and other personal protective equipment: NIOSH-rated manufacturers in the U.S. have now started making KN95-style masks a Chinese standard for sale in the U.S. market. Use of the website is at your own risk. Use a pair of clean (non-sterile) gloves when donning a used N95 respirator and performing a user seal check. Should I wear a mask indoors even if I can distance? The masks are heavily regulated in Korea, which lowers the risk of counterfeits. , which will provide consumers with some basic information on filtration efficiency of cloth masks. Carbon dioxide is not a silent killer like carbon monoxide, but high levels can lead to impaired consciousness and other health effects. The Canopy mask listed below is the ONLY clear reusable high-performance mask we are aware of at this time available in the USA. In China, there is no regulator to check if the masks meet the claimed standard. The paper did not specify which model of the Easy Mask was tested this is our best guess by examining the paper and the Easy Mask website descriptions of their mask options. From the video you can get a better idea of how it fits to your face and how easy it is to talk. Given that Aaron Collins is in the US, and generally doesn't test many elastomeric or quasi elastomeric masks, it is unsurprising that he has not tested your favorite European certified mask. Dont send tweets, emails or DMs as we cant keep track of questions or suggestions that way. The CDC recommends the use of mask fitters like the Fix the Mask brace. The Strapless N95 Face Mask is by far the best option for hair stylists and their customers. You can also go to big-box stores like Home Depot and Lowes, says Collins. 2. The kit has *everything* you need to do mask fit tests at home. However, N95s do come in S/M sizes that might work for some older children. You can access the FDA database here. 60 participants by the Australian Society of Anesthesiologists, 98% of elastomerics passed fit testing versus 57% of disposables (Table 1). Its best to rely on the list of approved respirators. These links to resources on masks, videos, and comments by researchers (the Content) are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice. Masks produced after July 1, 2021, bear the standard number GB2626-2019; masks produced before that date have the standard number GB2626-2006. For example, I dislike rigid cup-shaped N95s, though Miller says many men prefer that style "for reasons I don't understand." Storage containers should be disposed of or cleaned regularly. ASTM rated surgical masks are also made out of high quality filtration materials. The CDC recommends the use of a mask fitter to greatly improve the protection capabilities of a surgical mask. Basically, if you need to wear a respirator all day for your job, at the end of the day, put it in a brown paper bag or hang it up in a cool, dry place. what are the non legislative powers of congress. Even if you could find one that might fit, it might not be breathable enough for your child. has a few lists you can use to confirm a mask has been vetted. For N95 masks, go to the C.D.C.s alphabetical list of NIOSH-approved respirators. Remember, if the mask doesnt fit tightly, it wont protect you well. While the list is now a bit outdated, finding your mask on it adds reassurance that its less likely to be counterfeit with the caveat that theres no longer official U.S. oversight for any of these firms. Of the 49 counterfeits, the average minimum filtration was just 45.9%, less than half the promised filtration. Different respirators also attach to your head differently. In some cases, carbon dioxide might build up in masks that are hard to breathe. It appears the minimum purchase size is 50 in a box, but this option may well be the most affordable mask that offers N95 protection while talking. But if I were wearing one all day, every workday, Id consider having one for each day and replacing them maybe every month. There are not a lot of studies on this subject and, clearly, the best protection is available to cleanly shaven people wearing N95 or better masks. Now that the N95 supply is adequate, the agency has revoked the authorization for these workers, but other people can still use KN95s. Whereas in a study published by the American Medical Association, the differences were less pronounced, 92.2% of participants passed fit testing with elastomerics compared to 88.5% using disposable N95. Keep in mind these studies were conducted on healthcare professionals, so your likelihood of getting a proper fit is probably worse. ), Recent coronavirus mutations appear to be much more transmissible. , use of this information is at your own risk. Here is one of the charts from the study: As noted by the Sikh Doctors Association, Presence of facial hair deems the individual to have failed [a fit] test, even before starting a fit test, which is not recommended to be carried out in people with unshorn facial hair. We made a, to show you an easy way to search for a particular disposable respirator (e.g., N95, N99, etc.). For reasons we do not yet understand, this approval with use of the plug does not appear on the, If you decide to use an elastomeric, be sure to carefully follow the manufacturers instructions for putting it on and taking it off. That's MaskGod Mr. Aaron Collins, P.B.U.H.*. The results of any filter penetration test can only be used to provide a check of the products filter efficiency.