Ed note: This article is one of most practical one I’ve found in terms of reusing a mask and how to store one not in use. Please note that the Corner Store at Skyline has KN95 masks for sale at $1/each if you need one. I wish that the staff in the dining areas, where residents are unmasked, were required to wear an N95 or KN95, but that is not current policy.
By Alison Saldanha in the Seattle Times
With more businesses now returning to the office, the use — and especially the reuse — of N95 and KN95 masks is set to be a popular choice for many.
Last month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its mask guidance to recommend the use of these respirators after previous supply shortages recovered. The government also began distributing free N95 masks along with free at-home tests to combat the omicron surge.
Masking is a critical public health tool for preventing spread of the coronavirus, and while all masks and respirators provide some level of protection, properly fitting respirators provide the highest level of protection, the CDC said. The center recently released a new study that found respirators are significantly more effective than cloth or surgical masks.
There is no time limit to wearing a respirator, says N95 manufacturer 3M. They are designed for multiple uses and can be worn until they are dirty, damaged or difficult to breathe through.
In fact, the N95/KN95 respirator is more likely to be physically damaged or worn out before it needs to be replaced because of a COVID-19 exposure, said Marisa Baker, assistant professor at the University of Washington’s Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences.
“You’ll need to toss it because the strap broke, or it got wet in the rain, well before it would be overloaded and lose its filtration efficiency,” Baker said. She added that this does not apply to respirator use aimed at protecting against general air pollution, including wildfire smoke or dust in the air.
These respirators are designed to both filter particles and seal the face. To be effective, they must be worn and fitted correctly. A better seal leads to more filtration of the air you breathe in. If a respirator is not sealed well, airborne hazards may enter through gaps.
To help protect the condition of respirators to function correctly, it’s important to store them well. Here’s what you can do to maximize the use and reuse of your N95 or KN95.