Is the N95 Face Mask the Best Solution for Wildfire Smoke?

In 2020, we saw face respirators becoming as necessary as air is to live. With CDC and FDA guidelines emerging from left, right, and center, it became difficult to choose which mask is the best one to protect yourself from the fatal Coronavirus. But the West faced another problem – wildfire smoke.

Although the West is not new to frequent fire breakouts, especially in California, the destruction crossed new limits in 2021. With the panic mode switched on, people began seeking face masks for wildfire smoke.

The wild goose chase also gave way to questioning, do masks work for smoke?

Since FDA guidelines mark N95 respirators as the best ones for protection against Covid-19, some even started considering N-95 respirators as the breathing mask for smoke.

With so many conflicting thoughts and assumptions, you might be confused on what’s the truth behind the smoke.

Well, this blog evaluates what makes N95 a smoke protection mask and if it really is the best solution.

Before proceeding further, let’s take a look first at the different types of masks available.

Different Types of Protective Masks

Just like two people’s resistance and immunity levels, no two masks provide the same level of protection. Based on the protection level, there are several types of face masks, including:

Surgical masks

Surgical masks are only designed to stop liquid droplets from entering or exiting the mouth and nose. The main purpose of these masks is to ensure no infections are passed between patients and medical personnel.

Disposable cloth masks

Disposable cloth masks also provide some level of protection against the virus. However, these disposable masks are ineffective against the particular matter present in wildfire smoke.

KN 95 Respirators

KN 95 Respirators are a Chinese variation of N95 masks and prove a better alternative if you’re unable to find N95 masks on time. The high filtration efficiency is highly effective against wildfire smoke as well as Covid-19.

So, What Makes N-95 the Best Mask for Wildfire Smoke?

Researchers conducted lab experiments to evaluate different face masks and their ability to filter our particular matter found in smoke and air pollution. For that, they placed the different masks over a pipe that breathed in air and particles inside a box.

Out of all the masks and respirators, N95s proved best against reducing hospital visits due to wildfire smoke. The percentage ranged between 22% to 39%.

The reason behind N95 becoming the breathing mask for smoke include its:

Better fit

Unlike surgical masks made of flimsy material, N-95 respirators provide a better fit, securing your nose and mouth against allergens and dust particles.

Maximum efficacy

The name N95 in itself signifies the efficacy level. N95 masks filter out 95% of the particulate matter and liquid droplets, protecting the wearer and those surrounding them from contracting germs.

For people living in areas most affected by wildfire smoke, N95 masks are quickly gaining popularity as masks for smoke pollution.

Flexible material

The flexible material of N95 masks is another plus point to consider when deciding the best mask for smoke.

For example, imagine traveling through the area where wildfire smoke is erupting. Your mask is supposed to protect you from the smoke getting into your lungs, but if the material is too tight or non-adjustable, it can be troublesome to even have the necessary air you need to breathe. Here, you can make use of an N95 respirator mask for smoke.

How to Protect Yourself from Poor Air Quality?

By now, you have the answers to ‘do masks work for smoke’ and ‘what’s the best mask for wildfire smoke.’ But what else can you do to keep yourself safe in extreme conditions?

Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

Don’t limit yourself to one respirator only

The most common mistake people tend to make is reusing their N95 respirators for an extended time period. But even respirators become clogged over time with dust and moisture captured inside. In turn, it makes your masks ineffective, nullifying the reason you wore them in the first place.

So, contrary to popular belief, N95 masks last for hours and not days. That’s why it’s always best to keep another respirator – a new one – when it feels difficult to breathe through your current one.

Avoid going out

Your house is the healthiest place to be. With the closed windows and doors, there’s no way of smoke getting inside. Besides being inside, you must make sure that your HVAC and its filters are running in good condition.

Caution: Do not wear masks indoors.

Go to an indoor space in public.

Sometimes, it’s unavoidable to go outside. Yet still, libraries and museums are a better and healthier alternative than being out in the open air.

Don’t modify your respirator

With masks becoming the new norm, people have been looking to make respirators a part of their fashion attire. That means adorning the masks with fancy materials such as ink, stapling accessories, and much more. But doing so reduces your respirator’s efficacy. Eventually, it can become hard for you to breathe and put further pressure on your lungs.

Before You Leave

Simply knowing the best mask for smoke isn’t enough. Knowing the best manufacturers is essential too. And especially when it’s about protecting you and your loved ones, you shouldn’t compromise.

At Queen Industries, we manufacture the best quality N95 respirator mask for smoke and Covid-19 protection. We have universal sizes available in bulk and individual use at the best prices.

Contact us now to book today or view our products here to purchase instantly.