aaron collins mask spreadsheet aaron collins mask spreadsheet

They might just add more air resistance without adding much, if any, filtration efficiency. KF94 masks have ear loops. Given the evidence, it is hard to imagine Schmitt and his 79-parent followers suing public schools for following the science and mandating masks that . It's also expensive acquiring and testing masks. NIOSH has a not very user friendly website where you can check if the mask is on its certified list. The CDC also has this page: Improve How Your Mask Protects You.. MR. COLLINS IS AN AEROSOL SCIENTIST AND PERSONALLY TESTS PARTICLE FILTRATION, WEAR, AND PROVIDES SOLID ADVICE ON CHOOSING AN APPROPRIATE PROTECTIVE MASK. While you can find legitimate KN95 masks, the supply chain is riddled with counterfeits and theres little regulation or oversight of the product. Also, dont get fooled into thinking any mask with 95 in the name provides the same protection as a NIOSH N95. An article by the Business Insider summarizes the evidence for this combination. Other cloth masks tested for the paper ranged from 26.5% to about 50% in FFE. (You can explore a master spreadsheet of his results here.). Aaron Collins, aka "Mask Nerd," is a mechanical engineer at Seagate Technology with a background in aerosol science. The uberinfectious omicron Covid-19 variant has triggered a race among U.S. parents to locate high-quality kid-sized masks, a run on . 4/ Repeated with good seal and no visible condensation. Until standards are published, you should buy only masks that have been tested for the fabrics filtration efficiency. Effective filtration efficiency accounts for the quality of the filter and the fit of the mask. The initial cost for elastomerics aimed at the medical market typically ranges between $40 and $80. Also, if you don't have an N95 or a KN95, the CDC recommends . The Dentec Safety Comfort-AirNxMD also has NIOSH approval and comes in two sizes and two colors, white and black. Which respirator is right for me? Keep in mind that an FDA listing does not indicate FDA testing or approval of the product. Green results are best; red ones are worst. His advice is to buy KF94 masks from companies with direct importing relationships to South Korea. You might get a better fit from a different size or even different type of mask. Weve seen plenty of politicians on TV who have no clue how to wear an N95. This. There is no safe distance indoors. These are all high-filtration respirators made with a material that has an electrostatic charge, which uses the power of static electricity to trap incoming virus particles. You can access the. Welcome to AuthoritarianMasks where Covid is Real, Vaccines Save Lives, & Highly Protective Masks Rule. We found three online suppliers that appear to sell direct to the general public at Project N95, ReadiMask and Progress Medical. Almost all N95 masks use head straps two elastic bands that wrap behind the head. You also have good flexibility to get more comfort when heading outdoors, where the risk of transmission is lower, by taking off the brace, but continuing to wear the surgical mask. regularly updates its page on better masks and has many useful links and videos. You may also see an N99 or N100 rated mask. The CDC explains that elastomeric masks are where the facepieces are made of synthetic or natural rubber material, can be repeatedly used, cleaned, disinfected, stored, and re-used.. It's also expensive acquiring and testing masks. The white one can be easily labeled with a marker so people can keep track of their masks and provide caring and cheerful messages to patients. You can access the FDA database here. This presents a challenge for many health professionals for faith groups such as Sikh, Muslim and Jewish groups. The South Korean standard KF94 masks, on the other hand, performed better in testing than Collins expectedtypically greater than 98 percent filtration efficiency. If you have a cloth mask that already fits well on your face, and has a nose wire, there is no need to buy a new one. Aaron Collins is a mechanical engineer who wrote his Master's thesis on the science of aerosolstiny particles in the air from things like smoke or virusesand worked for years developing instruments to measure and describe them. 4. In the CDC experiment cited below, the reduction in exposure with an ear loop design to the tested particles was just 7.5%. The CDC recommends the use of mask fitters like the Fix the Mask brace. Your rights end at my nose, literally. Elastomeric masks, like this one, are very comfortable to wear over extended times, far more so than any conventional N95 disposable respirator. The fit factor test results (tests were by the company, not an outside lab) were also very high. CDC recommends the use of a mask fitter in its official Feb. 13, 2021 guidance titled, ] indicated that when fitters are secured over a medical procedure mask, they can potentially increase the wearers protection by 90% for aerosols in the size range considered to be the most important for transmitting SARS-CoV-2 (generally <10 m)., The CDC confirms that mask fitters work. Clean hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer before and after touching or adjusting the respirator (if necessary for comfort or to maintain fit). Teachers need strong protection, but they also need to be heard clearly. One way to check is to put on a pair of glasses or sunglasses. Professor Jose-Luis Jimenez of the University of Colorado, Boulder, who is one of the top experts on aerosol transmission of the virus, bought one of these for his seven-year old son. Filters cost as little as $1.50 each in packs of 50. You can verify the approval number on the. In his free time, he makes YouTube videos in which he tests and reviews . Heres. The other study cited above also found substantial improvements in fit from a yoga band. The results of any filter penetration test can only be used to provide a check of the products filter efficiency. COMFORTABLE FIT: This kids face mask has an adjustable nose piece and soft earloops to provide a snug fit and superior comfort. Big retailers like Home Depot and Lowes typically work directly with manufacturers approved by NIOSH or their distributors, so if you find an N95 mask in a major retail store you can be confident youre getting the real thing. But early in the pandemic, when N95 supplies were scarce, doctors and nurses found themselves reusing their respirators. The report also found 128 of the lots tested had at least one mask with less than 80% filtration. The initial cost for elastomerics aimed at the medical market typically ranges between $40 and $80. Some cloth masks provide good fit, but surgical masks have a loose fit. Remember what we warned you about earlier the fit of your mask is just as important as filtration. N95s aren't regulated for children, so if a mask says it's an N95 for kids, don't trust it. While there is no N95 mask for kids approved in the United States, mask makers in China and Korea have created KN95s and KF94s for children, including some with child-friendly colors and prints. One mask discussed in the post provided a similar (low quality) seal on two sisters but another mask provided 94% total filtration for one sister and just 73% for the other. If you can find a tight fitting and breathable cloth mask for your face, then combining it with a surgical mask should give you a substantial boost in protection. Real KN95s have GB2626 imprinted ON the mask, 2. These small droplets and aerosols can contain enough viruses to infect you. This number shows how well the mask filters out unwanted particles. There is at least one report from a mask expert that it has considerable leakage around the nose. The Korean FDA also has a portal to check for genuine KF94s, though it's currently only in Korean. , the mask should cover your nose to block aerosols coming out of it and block any that you might breathe in from the air around you. (This answer is from, unless you are outdoors at a sufficient distance. Thats because it might be so hard to breathe through the materials that more unfiltered air instead comes from leaks in the mask. Collins also compiles a spreadsheet on masks for kids, which you can access here. using headforms and a simulated cough by an unmasked person. Without the mask hack, a surgical mask only reduced exposure by 7.5%. Pack or store respirators between uses so that they do not become damaged or deformed. Collins is a mechanical engineer not a medical professional, he emphasized but he has studied aerosols and aerosol instrumentation. "An N95 is more protective because it has a better face seal in general than a KN95 or a KF94," explains Aaron Collins, a mechanical engineer with a background in aerosols science. has created an infographic showing you the printing to look for on your N95. Like I said above: Aaron measures the pressure drop of each mask he tests. Consider carefully the size and shape of your face when choosing a mask. If you have a fold style N95 mask or KN95 mask, you need to work the nose wire to get a proper seal. The KN95 is similar to the N95, but it has ear loops and is made to meet Chinese standards for medical masks. If you want to have a good possibility of effective filtration assurance in the 80% to 90% range or better, youll need to get one of the better mask options described in, Cloth masks can give decent protection, but the protection you can get varies widely. I've spent a fair amount of time over this pandemic researching masks, calling experts who study them and fielding questions like from family and friends. . The specifications for Chinese KN95 masks are similar to those for the USA certified N95. The mask comes in four sizes, also unusual for a respirator. Furthermore, limited assessment of ear loop designs, indicate difficulty achieving a proper fit. One option for a KN95 that may give you a good chance of getting a good one is the Powecom KN95s at Bona Fide Masks., That US online retailer publishes a statement saying they buy only directly from the manufacturer and that they are the Premier Authorized Distributor in the U.S. The headband style is likely to provide better fit, and thus better protection. They wouldn't fit his face, so the efficiency testing would fail miserably. The quality control for KN95s is so lacking that in October 2020. that the agency is concerned that certain filtering facepiece respirators (respirators) from China may not provide consistent and adequate respiratory protection. As such it would no longer update its emergency use list, which had specified KN95s. The CDC confirms that mask fitters work. Aaron Collins (u/coll0412) tests and reviews various KN95 / KF94 masks, so that you can know which ones are best. We recommend you print out this. If it does that, the improvements from the higher filtration may well be offset by an increase in unfiltered air. Remember, both are equally important. This video below is a great illustration of the importance of fit. But many people dont know how to wear an N95 properly. Latex Free Enhanced Comfort and Secure Fit - Features latex free and amazingly soft and durable headband straps as well as an adjustable metal nose piece to ensure a tight yet comfortable seal. But others had very high filtration. On Feb. 13, 2021, the CDC announced new guidance titled Improve the Fit and Filtration of Your Mask to Reduce the Spread of COVID-19., The same day, the CDC released Improve How Your Mask Protects You.. It may take some time and trial and error to find a good match for you. The combination almost certainly produces better results than either type of mask can produce on its own. The mask is said to transmit sound well, and is one of the most comfortable N95s on the market. There are not a lot of studies on this subject and, clearly, the best protection is available to cleanly shaven people wearing N95 or better masks. This unique design boasts excellent fit and breathability. In this section, well cover masks that appear to provide relatively high levels of protection compared to the basic masks in the previous section. Counterfeit respirators are products that are falsely marketed and sold as being NIOSH-approved and may not be capable of providing appropriate respiratory protection to workers. If you use a cloth mask alone, the CDC recommends two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric. However, we dont recommend double masking with two cloth masks with two or more layers of fabric. Here is the official NIOSH guidance regarding facial hair, which is available. Yes. Aaron Collins is a mechanical engineer with a background in aerosol science who tests and reviews masks on his YouTube channel This article was updated on 31 December 2021 to include guidance. Not only will you better protect yourself, you will help better protect your community, your country and the world. Be sure to get your KF94s from a Korean manufacturer, not Chinese. He's ordered several masks from BeHealthyUSA, New Jersey-based store that, until very recently, was known for importing Korean beauty products. The company says it is in the process of seeking NIOSH approval. Both of these masks have at least 98% bacterial filtration efficiency and 98% for sub-micron particulates at 0.1 micron. So let's kick it off. If you are infected, but dont have symptoms yet, or never get them, then wearing a better mask will better protect others in the community because most of the virus laden particles you emit will be filtered out by your mask. (scroll down to Appendix A) from October 15, 2020 is nice, but the February NPPTL report is more useful. If you must use Amazon, try to shop directly in the on-site stores of mask makers like 3M or Kimberly-Clark. Masks have-understandablybeen incredibly popular during the COVID-19 pandemic, though when officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that people who are fully. You are welcome to use any of this as you see fit. Aaron Collins' Kids's Masks Spreadsheet. Aaron Collins goes by the "Mask Nerd" now that his unofficial job is reviewing face masks in his bathroom. N95 fold style masks and KN95 masks. This year's back-to-school supply list has an important line item: masks. Do not wash the face mask with water. Search for Half Facepiece Reusable Respirator or a similar term and you will find many options. The masks come in four sizes and have a nose wire. Heres a video on how to do a user seal check: This tweet thread by Dr. Richard Corsi shows a quick way to check on how well your mask fits. Masks and Face Coverings 2) Types of Respirators 3) How Respirators Work 4) Who Can Use Respirators? A mask that fits a friend or even a sibling well might not fit your face well. Zeynep: If I were wearing an N95 just for the weekly grocery store run, Id probably be fine with alternating two carefully handled masks for many months as long as the elastic works and theres no soiling. Other clear masks on the market are likely no better than a cloth mask. The only difference between the two levels is the Level 3 resists blood and other fluids that medical professionals have to worry about. Many masks come with adjustable straps. Moldex. Open. Masks produced after July 1, 2021, bear the standard number GB2626-2019; masks produced before that date have the standard number GB2626-2006. No N95 mask has been approved for children, so any mask that claims to be an N95 for kids is a fake. The dilution will be greater with more time and space. Had to talk to the supervisor to do it. It is surprisingly affordable at a list price of about $40 for a pack of 20 masks. The FDA only reviews the manufacturers data. But an N95 mask will do a better job of protecting you. Korean KF94 masks are similar in performance to the USA certified N95. Green percentages are best; red percentages are worst. Thats excellent for a cloth mask. Heres a guide. The mask market is particularly tricky for parents trying to find masks for children. Some of the surgical style masks filter just as well as the certified ones. Discard any respirator that is obviously damaged or becomes hard to breathe through. So thats about five per month. Wider masks are better for larger faces. It is almost impossible to say. And do they have to be uncomfortable? For protecting yourself in daily life, either will work equally well. According to him: For now, choose a kids' mask made by a manufacturer which also makes good-quality adults' masks. The problem with buying a KN95 is that it is difficult to know if you have a good one that meets the standard or not. Valved versions are available at Lowes and Tractor Supply. However, it is not clear how well it fits. Some 12 year old have small faces, and some 8 year olds have buckets. Generally speaking, he has found nearly all KF94 masks from Korea to be of high quality. It does have a higher price, but the manufacturer says it can be reused until the filter gets clogged with dust and becomes hard to breathe through, or if the insides get dirty and contaminated, or if the respirator is punctured, crushed, or otherwise structurally damaged.. Far too many people focus on how well the materials in their mask filter the air. Or do you want maximum protection, but you're going to have headbands and if you have long hair, you're going to have to put it in a ponytail to put it on and then let it back down?". The CDC recommends the use of a mask fitter to greatly improve the protection capabilities of a surgical mask. The, We recommend you review the CDC page with the agencys official mask guidance. For reasons we do not yet understand, this approval with use of the plug does not appear on the, If you decide to use an elastomeric, be sure to carefully follow the manufacturers instructions for putting it on and taking it off. (Emphasis added.). The same paper found that either use of an ear saver type guard or claw hair clip to pull the earloops tighter behind the head produced similar FFE gains. . Dilution over distance is the main reason why social distance reduces transmission of COVID-19. The mask brace plus surgical mask, explained above, is also a cost-effective option for many. Photo: Aaron Collins. While weve studied many materials, none of us are aerosol scientists or doctors. We do not endorse any product listed in this guide this is for your information only. professional boxing referees; uf college of medicine class of 2023; kalalau valley hippies Aaron Collins, an engineer who routinely tests masks and who has gained a YouTube following as Mask Nerd, recommends buying KF94s from Korean beauty product importers like Be Healthy or KMact. A mechanical engineer by trade, the Minnesota resident has made a. Many people understand that better filtration will better protect you from inhaling viruses. Even though surgical masks made to the ASTM level 2 or 3 standard can filter over 95% of the particle sizes you wish to remove, the loose fit brings their fitted filtration efficiency (FFE) down to about 38.1% (ear loop version) to 71.5% (with head ties), according to this study. The. In concept, a cloth mask plus a filter insert will better protect you than just a cloth mask. But that said, for basic masks, below are the common options, listed from the least protective to more protective. Packs of 25 filters cost $25, with the filters are rated for 8 hours of continuous use under normal air quality conditions., The FDA advises that patients may be injured if they wear face masks (such as surgical or non-surgical masks and respirators) with metal parts and coatings during a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) exam. Its not clear to us how well this would work for teaching if you need to speak loudly. I dont work for (or with) them and they dont pay me.. More high-quality mask options for kids of all ages can be found on a spreadsheet where Collins compiled the best ones he tested . The CDC recommends the knotted and tucked hack. Aaron Collins @coll0412 27.2K subscribers Subscribe Home Videos Live Playlists Community Channels About Recently uploaded Popular 19:21 Quarter Mask Elastomeric Review - Flo, Envo & Breathe. If you buy a KN95 at a national retail chain, the hope is that the chains buyers will insist on independent tests and get a mask that meets or comes close to the specifications. And also at some point early in each video itself. The C.D.C. It is one of the few masks that come in multiple sizes, including small The comfort comes at a higher price, $6.99 each or $$37 for a box of 10. Wirecutter, a product review site owned by The New York Times, has a guide for buying quality masks, one for buying childrens masks and a list of 12 red flags that might signal your mask is a counterfeit. In addition to high grade protection, we assume that priorities for wait staff include breathability, comfort, ability to talk while maintaining good fit, and style. There is no need for a filter that is rated for organic vapors to protect yourself from the virus. The paper did not specify which model of the Easy Mask was tested this is our best guess by examining the paper and the Easy Mask website descriptions of their mask options. The following elastomeric masks with two-way filtering provide test results indicating they would pass NIOSH filtration and fit standards. In many cases, the masks will eventually get certification. 2. Unlike cloth masks, high-quality masks called N95s, KN95s and KF94s are made with layers of high-tech filtering material that trap at least 94 to 95 percent of the most risky particles. The physics are well understood. . It now appears to meet N95 standards, but please note that it does not have NIOSH certification. There are a disturbing number of counterfeit masks on the market that claim NIOSH certification as N95, N99, or other types of respirators. If you can find an N95, can afford it, and wear it properly, you will get great protection. We made a short video to show you an easy way to search for a particular disposable respirator (e.g., N95, N99, etc.). The CDC performed an experiment using headforms and a simulated cough by an unmasked person. The government also offered no guidance early on to help users select the right one. The Singh Thattha technique is an innovative solution developed by Dr Rajinder Singh, and was put to the test in a Pilot study using the much more robust Quantitative fit testing method.. Facial hair either growing in or protruding into the area of the primary sealing surfaces of the respirator will prevent a good seal. 11. Here is a spreadsheet by Collins, which summarizes his results. Now the problem is there are so many different masks for sale, its tough to know which ones have been tested and certified by government agencies, and which are counterfeit. 123. , Tying the ear loops and tucking in the corners of the procedure mask to minimize gaps in the sides of the mask increased the mean (SD) FFE to 60.3% from 38.5%. Some KF94s are made in China. But thats easier said than done. Many brands are made in just one size, and that size or shape may not work all that well for you or your face. In some cases, it is helpful to have a clear mask so others can read your lips or see your facial expressions. We take no responsibility and assume no liability for any Content made available over this website. It primarily illustrates how exhaled air can leak from masks. It was one of 10 Phase 1 winners in the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority Mask Innovation Challenge:Building Tomorrows Mask. It costs $50 with five filters.