What is the Best Mask for Coronavirus? KN95 vs 3 Ply Face Masks: Which One Should You Choose?

KN95 respirators and surgical 3 ply masks have been on the forefront of the public’s fight against Covid-19. Perhaps one of the universal images coming out of this pandemic and beyond is going to be the face mask. Regulations are requiring people to wear masks to enter different public spaces, but when it’s not a rule, it’s a preference.

At one point, confusion about their role and a rush for PPE meant that there were mask shortages across the country, the discussion is “Can I find a mask?” but rather “What mask is best for me?”

Complicating this is all the different masks out there on the market for people to choose from while shopping online. N95 masks, KN95 masks, 3-ply masks, surgical masks, disposable masks just so many masks. All these offer different tiers of protection and can be ideal options for a different segment of the population. Yet How do you know which one to choose? Here is a breakdown of all the various options.

Masks Versus the COVID-19 Virus

Before comparing the different masks on the market, let us talk about the actual science of why you want to have one in the first place. Link to Mayo Clinic.

Viruses like COVID-19 are largely transmitted by microscopic particles in the air and on surfaces. While our skin is a bit of a natural barrier against viral particles, other parts of the body, like the nose, eyes, and mouth, provide perfect points of entry.

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If you were to say, touch a surface with particles on it and rub your nose without thinking, you could expose yourself to infection, even if you thought you were being safe.

This is what makes masks so important. It’s not just about protecting you from obvious situations, like being in the vicinity of a coughing person, it also protects you from less obvious sources of infection, like lingering particles from someone who sneezed on a surface or particles that get on your hands. With that in mind, we can talk about some of the best masks on the market. You can also read how Coronavirus spreads from the CDC.

KN95 Versus Surgical Masks

Let us start the conversation by talking about the differences between KN95 vs. surgical masks. If you want to get technical, the options are not even in the same category, at least, not completely. A KN95 respirator face mask and other respirator masks (N95, N99) are specifically designed to help reduce the respiratory exposure of the wearer to different airborne contaminants. This can include vapors and gases, but obviously, the focus now is particles, especially viral particles.

Here are a few additional features of our KN95 masks:

• These have a tip-shaped hanging ear design that lowers slipping risk.
• These are free of latex for those with sensitivities.
• They are lightweight.
• Ultrasonic welding technology, glue-free and odorless.
• They are humidity-resistant for added protection.
• You can reuse the elastic fabric, with no smell.
• Each mask comes with a metal adjustable nose clip built INSIDE the nose bridge. This helps you adjust the sealing and stop glasses from fogging while wearing your mask.

When a respirator works properly, all air the wearer inhales must go through the filter material, supplying protection. However, because of that, size fit and proper installation matters.

This is also what provides that slight element of reuse ability for a KN95 respirator masks. Because the filter is what’s contacting the particles, that’s what needs to be replaced most often. You may get a little extra mileage out of the actual mask structure that holds the filter in place. However, make sure that you keep track of what the recommended amount of use is before replacement to protect yourself. Almost all CE 2163 Certified KN95’s have a 12 hour filter use time, or 6 hours after potential aerosol exposure. Yet it is highly recommended to immediately change your mask (without touching the exterior) after liquid or aerosol virus exposure.

By comparison, a surgical mask is more about restraining large particles from contaminating a space. Examples of this may include spit or mucous in a sterile environment. There is also a protective component, but not necessarily applying to viral particles. Instead, the bigger concern is about blood, bodily fluids or secretions getting around the mouth or nose. Surgical masks can provide a layer of protection here, but the provide almost no protection from aerosol virus particles. A cloth face mask provides even weaker viral protection. The only real protection comes from particulate respirators like the N95 and KN95.

What is the best option for you?

That ultimately depends on a hazard analysis of the work environment in question. However, for COVID-19 purposes, only respirators like KN95 or N95 can filter out viral particles.

The differences between KN95 and N95 masks are subtle, but bear mentioning. For example, to be certified as a KN95 mask, the Chinese government requires mask fit tests on actual people with over 8% leakage. This is something that is not required for N95 certification. Instead, what you will see is a lot of hospitals or businesses that use these masks doing the fit tests themselves, rather than having the government do it.

The other main differences largely revolve around breathability. N95 has a slightly stricter requirement for pressure drops when inhaling and exhaling. This helps with breathability a bit. So, the only real difference between KN95 and N95 is breathability. In terms of protection, they are equal. KN95’s and N95 are the best masks for COVID-19 protection.

So why are KN95 masks getting unfairly maligned by some? A lot of this has to do with confusion and unscrupulous actors. Some scammers are advertising their lower-tier masks as KN95, and when people buy this false mask and see the lower quality, they assume KN95 is the issue, rather than the seller. These low quality KN95 masks can be found all over eBay.

At OSBB, we understand that quality is important more now than ever. Therefore, we bring our 10 years of international sourcing experience to the table to make sure you get the masks that you need.

Workplace safety is going to be an essential discussion when it comes to the business world, especially as we are starting to move toward reopening in some areas. Making sure that your workplace has a stockpile of masks for customer and employee interactions is essential not just for safety, but also consumer confidence moving forward. With a full understanding of the differences, you can make the smart decision on what masks fit your risk level, budget, and other important concerns.