Airgas offers a variety of disposable face masks for your respiratory protection, including N95, P95, and P100 styles and surgical masks for safer breathing. Find what you need here from leading manufacturers such as RADNOR, 3M, Moldex-Metric Inc., Disposable masks and Honeywell. Disposable respirators and masks cover the mouth and nose to provide short-term, light-duty breathing protection. Respirators are NIOSH-rated to indicate the level of protection provided and are often worn in healthcare environments.
They are not the same thing as N95 respirators, which are regulated by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. You can re-wear a mask after you have stored it in a paper bag for a few days, according to the CDC and multiple experts we’ve interviewed for our respirator guide. The agency provides a simple strategy for healthcare workers that involves rotating used masks in brown paper bags, a variation of which was employed during the N95 shortage in the early days of the pandemic. The coronavirus has an expected survival time of about 72 hours, so waiting for, say, five to seven days should be enough time for it to be inactivated.
Often sold in bulk packs of 25 and 50, they can be easily distributed to large groups of people. Another pack of multicolored KN95 masks, this set from Halidodo comes in a slightly different array of colors—most notably including an eye-catching orange mask—and is similarly affordable. Thanks to a White House initiative, around 400 million N95 masks are being distributed to pharmacies and community centers across the country.
It’s worth noting this set comes in medium and large, so those with smaller faces will want to consider another mask. This model is one of the CDC’s many approved N95 masks (and it’s frequently out of stock). It uses two separate straps to keep the mask tight around your face. Members of our team have used these masks COVID 19 Test Kits and found that they seal nicely around the face but still stay far enough away from the nose and mouth to let you breathe and talk comfortably. This fold-style mask uses two over-the-head straps to keep the mask snug on your face, while still allowing a fair amount of breathing room in front of your mouth and nose.
1st layer is a hydrophobic Non-Woven fabric for superior moisture defense. 2nd layer is made with a Melt-Blown high density filter fabric for maximum particle filtration. 3rd layer is a soft Non-Woven fabric that is easy on sensitive skin for lasting comfort. For easy protection, elastic ear loops offer a simple but snug fit and quick on/off operation. Elastic headbands provide a tighter fit, while Velcro bands offer the closest, most comfortable fit for wearing over longer periods.
If that’s not an issue for you, then the horizontal-fold pouch and bendable nosepiece should provide a solid seal on your face, while still costing less than a dollar per mask. Many of the distribution locations will be the places where you may have gotten your vaccine. You can check your local vaccine centers, community health centers, or any major pharmacy chain, to see if they have any in stock. Notably, surgical N95 masks will be held back for health care workers. Surgical-style masks (three-ply) are the next best thing you can wear.