Embedded Files
Donning Instructions (Putting an N95 on)
Donning Instructions (Putting an N95 on)
Video "Respirator User Guide: N95 3M Aura 1870+": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeiWrOzUzZc
Image from Washington Post "Why most of us should be wearing N95 masks" (2022): https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/01/20/n95-mask-effectiveness/
How Do N95 Masks Work?
How Do N95 Masks Work?
Video "The Astounding Physics of N95 Masks": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAdanPfQdCA
Surgical Masks vs. N95s
Surgical Masks vs. N95s
All N95s remove particulates from inhaled air and some are also fluid resistant as indicated on the product information sheet (e.g. among the OMB masks, the 3M Aura 1870+ is fluid resistant, the 3M V-Flex 9105 is not).
Surgical masks, also known as procedural or medical masks, are designed to help prevent contamination of the work environment or a sterile field from large particles generated by the wearer/worker (e.g., to prevent the spread of the wearer's spit or mucous). While surgical masks may moderately lower risk of transmission when worn by multiple people, one way masking (individual mask wearing among others that are not) is most effective when using an N95.
Linked page address: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7106e1.htmLearn more about the difference between N95 and surgical masks from the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety.
Link address: https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/prevention/ppe/surgical_mask.html
Image designed from CDC and NIOSH sources. Sourced from: https://pulmonarychronicles.com/index.php/pulmonarychronicles/article/view/675/1523
Highlighted Research
Highlighted Research
Can touching a contaminated N95 mask get you sick?
Can touching a contaminated N95 mask get you sick?
The risk is low:
The risk is low:
Stability of aerosolized SARS-CoV-2 on masks and transfer to skin (2023): https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.3c01581
The science of masking.
The science of masking.
Efficacy research with social and political considerations:
Efficacy research with social and political considerations:
Masks and respirators for prevention of respiratory infections: A state of the science review (2024): https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/cmr.00124-23
Be Air Aware e-pamphlet
Be Air Aware e-pamphlet
e-pamphlet references:
e-pamphlet references:
Al-Aly, Z., Davis, H., McCorkell, L., Soares, L., Wulf-Hanson, S., Iwasaki, A., et al. (2024). Long COVID science, research and policy. Nature Medicine, 30(8), 2148–2164. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39122965/
Greenhalgh, T., MacIntyre, C. R., Baker, M. G., Bhattacharjee, S., Chughtai, A. A., Fisman, D., et al. (2024). Masks and respirators for prevention of respiratory infections: A state of the science review. Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 37(2). https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/cmr.00124-23
Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). (2024). Post-COVID-19 condition (long COVID). https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/symptoms/post-covid-19-condition.html
Taher, M. K., Salzman, T., Banal, A., Morissette, K., Domingo, F. R., Cheung, A. M., et al. (2025). Global prevalence of post-COVID-19 condition: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective evidence. Health Promot Chronic Dis Prev Can, 45(3), 112–138. https://doi.org/10.24095/hpcdp.45.3.02
What Masks Filter: Up Close
What Masks Filter: Up Close
Electron microscope images of common contaminants that masks protect us from
Electron microscope images of common contaminants that masks protect us from
Pathogens
Pathogens
includes bacteria, like tuberculosis, and viruses, like SARS-CoV-2, measles, chicken pox, and hantavirus (found in mouse droppings)
includes bacteria, like tuberculosis, and viruses, like SARS-CoV-2, measles, chicken pox, and hantavirus (found in mouse droppings)
SARS-CoV-2 virus
Alissa Eckert, MS; Dan Higgins, MAM, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSARS-CoV-2 virus
Hantavirus
https://www.scientificanimations.com/, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia CommonsHantavirus
Tuberculosis bacterium
Photo Credit: Janice CarrContent Providers(s): CDC/ Dr. Ray Butler; Janice Carr, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsTuberculosis bacterium
Varicella virus
Photo Credit:Content Providers(s): CDC/Dr. Erskine Palmer/B.G. Partin, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsVaricella virus
Measles virus proteins
David Goodsell, CC BY 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0>, via Wikimedia CommonsMeasles virus proteins
Allergens
Allergens
like mould spores and pollen
like mould spores and pollen
Pollen (various)
Dartmouth Electron Microscope Facility, Dartmouth College, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsPollen (various)
Black Mold
Ramy algayar, CC BY 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0>, via Wikimedia CommonsBlack Mold
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