![]() A certified N95 respirator must filter at least 95% of particulates in that same ultra-fine aerosol range. N95 masks are the workhorse of respirators, and that’s because they work. Keep reading, or scroll to the fit section below. 075 microns).* The caveat? These are the pre-fit scores. In fact, some level 3 masks score impressively well on these tests, achieving filtration efficiency comparable to N95 (or KN95) respirators in the ultra-fine aerosols range (75nm /. As a result, surgical mask manufacturers are racing to get their scrubs tested to the more rigorous levels required by the N95 standards. There’s now plenty of evidence that COVID can spread via much smaller particles than the kind surgical masks are designed to protect against. For you upper-level mask nerds, a certified Level 3 mask is tested against particles 600 nm (0.6 microns) in diameter, around 10 times the size of the particles used in the N95/F3502 test. From a regulatory perspective, FDA-approved surgical masks, even the mighty ASTM F2100 Level 3s, are not guaranteed to filter the same degree of fine aerosols as N95 or F3502-type masks. Just be sure to keep reading, because even though contemporary Level 3 masks can compete with the big boys on filtration material and coverage, they tend to be outclassed when it comes to fit.īy now you’ve probably heard the refrain that surgical masks are designed as barriers against fluids, not as barriers against airborne particles. While filtration is not the most important of the three, it is usually the first thing people ask about, so let’s start there. When talking about face mask effectiveness, we like to break things down into the three Fs: filtering materials, facial coverage, and fit. Is the hype around Level 3 masks deserved, or are these just scrubs trying to punch above their weight? Before putting your money on the line, here are some important differences between Level 3 surgical masks, N95-type respirator masks, and the newest entrant, fit-tested F3502 masks. ![]() This type of face covering, officially known as an ASTM F2100 Level 3 Surgical Mask, is gaining a reputation as something of a contender in the world of protective face masks.ĪSTM Kevel 3 surgical masks are being described as an FDA-approved heavy-weight in a field full of questionable fabric masks, or even as a light-weight alternative to medical-grade respirators like the N95. If you consider yourself a mask nerd, there’s a good chance Level 3 Surgical Masks are on your radar. How do ASTM Level 3 masks stack up against the competition? ![]()
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