The outward-facing side of the mask are typically colored and made thicker, tougher and water-impermeable. The inner layers of the mask are made of three-ply melt-blown polymer placed between non-woven fabric. The melt-blown material acts as the filter that stops microbes from penetrating and exiting the mask. Some masks have an attached thin polyethylene faceshield (known as “splash shield”) to provide additional spray protection over the eye area.
The CDC doesn’t recommend using face shields instead of masks because it’s unclear how much protection shields provide. However, wearing a face mask may not be possible in every situation. If you must use a face shield instead of a mask, choose one that wraps around the sides of your face and extends below your chin.
Click here for a helpful reference to masks or for guidelines and recommendations in selecting personal protective equipment. The PF-2 face masks have been innovatively designed for use in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, and compounding industries or in any cleanroom operation. The PF-2 face masks allows for excellent breathability, comfort, and protection, while maintaining filtration efficiency.
Like surgical masks, N95 masks are intended to be disposable. However, researchers are testing ways to disinfect and reuse them. The FloMask has a silicone gasket that helps prevent air from coming in or out around the edges. The company’s lab tests show that the FloMask’s filters are effective at blocking aerosolized viruses, however, the filters did not fit on the apparatus of our independent lab, so we could not confirm their results. Some kid testers liked the around-the-head straps and said that it was comfortable, but other testers were not willing to wear this mask for long periods.
This celeb-loved brand makes disposable face masks in a variety of colors and designs. An N95 mask is a type of respirator that meets U.S. quality standards. It offers more protection than a medical mask does because it filters out both large and small particles when the wearer inhales. Non-surgical N95s can be used by the general public.
This surgical-style mask is one of the few we’ve tried that has adjustable ear loops, which helped it fit closely on a range of children’s faces. If you’re looking for a mask for yourself, check out the advice in our guide to choosing adult cloth face masks and buying N95, KN95, and surgical-style masks. We also have advice on reusing medical masks and how to tell if you have a fake N95, KN95, or KF94 mask. Our picks have flexible nose-bridge wires and, in most cases, adjustable ear loops that allow masks to fit snugly and comfortably.
The CDC offers much more thorough guidance on how to avoid N95 counterfeits on its site. Those who have symptoms, tested positive, or were exposed to someone with Covid-19, should wear a mask. Otherwise, you can use the CDC’s COVID-19 Community Levels tool to check whether a mask is necessary for your state and county based on the latest data. The tool analyzes hospital admissions, hospital beds being used, and Covid-19 cases in your area to determine whether Covid-19 levels are low, medium, or high.
The cloth mask you may have been wearing since March 2020 might not be the best option at this stage. Also called surgical masks, these are loosefitting disposable masks. They’re meant to protect the wearer from contact with droplets and sprays that may contain germs. A medical mask also filters out large particles in the air when the wearer breathes in. Depending on your circumstances, you may find basic, filterless cloth masks are the most practical options for toddlers. The cone-shaped Scout & Indiana Kids Face Mask is a former pick, and it’s still among our favorites for small toddlers, who appreciate the lightweight fabric and fun prints.
A surgical mask serves as a mechanical barrier that interferes with direct airflow in and out of respiratory orifices (i.e. nose and mouth). The WellBefore Kids KN95 fits kids ages 4 to 10, and it has adjustable ear loops (a rarity among medical-style masks) and a nose-bridge wire. Our lab tests confirmed that it filters about 99% of aerosol-sized particles . And unlike most medical masks for kids, this one has a few color options. The best mask is the one that fits your child securely and comfortably, that offers strong filtration, and that they will wear, experts say. This means that no single mask will work for all kids, and finding the right one for your child may involve a lot of trial and error.
& Pui, D. Y. H. Experimental study of nanoparticles penetration through commercial filter media. Size distribution and sites of origin of droplets expelled from the human respiratory tract during expiratory activities. Exhaled respiratory particles during singing and talking. Medical masks & Smit, S. A comparison of facemask and respirator filtration test methods. & Chang, H. H. Face mask use in the general population and optimal resource allocation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Association of social distancing and face mask use with risk of COVID-19.