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The KN95 mask is one of the PPEs we can use to protect ourselves from particulates present in the air. This includes the SARS-COV-2 virus which is responsible for the new coronavirus that is currently shutting the world down. However, not everyone has access to a KN95 mask as the CDC regulates the distribution of this mask.

For now, only medical personnel including first responders to medical issues. In this post, we will show you what a KN95 mask is and the differences between this and a surgical mask. Along with this, we will share information about reusing these masks and disinfecting the masks.

What is KN95 Mask?

Before we continue discussions about this mask, let’s first discuss what it is. A KN95 mask is also known as an N95 respirator. It is a piece of protective equipment worn over the face to reduce exposure to several particulates in the air. (Learn More: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surgical_mask)

This includes large droplets and very tiny particles of about 0.3 microns. The number “95” attached to the name of this mask signifies that it has 95% filtration efficiency against non-oily particulates. This mask is controlled by the CDC and is meant to be used by health care professionals and first responders.


Difference Between a KN95 Mask and Surgical Mask

N95 surgical masks fall under the umbrella of KN95 masks so this comparison is between KN95 masks and disposable surgical masks. The main purpose of disposable surgical masks is to prevent cross-contamination during medical procedures.

As such, they are used by doctors and nurses, mostly during surgeries and caring for patients. Surgical mask trap liquid droplets expelled by the wearer. They also protect the wearer from body fluids expelled by the patient, especially blood.

While KN95 masks are efficient against very tiny airborne particulates, disposable surgical masks are only fluid-resistant. Surgical masks only protect against large particles of about 5 microns, KN95 masks protect against particles of 0.3 microns.

Another major difference between both PPE is their fitting. KN95 masks are tightly fitting to ensure that there are no gaps to allow for leakages. Surgical masks, on the other hand, are loose-fitting so there is a possibility of leakages. Because of this, surgical masks have lesser filtration capabilities than KN95 masks.

Taking the prices of both into consideration, of course, surgical masks cost far less than KN95 masks. But the latter can be reused while surgical masks are disposable and should be discarded after use. In terms of timing, KN95 masks can be used for up to 8 hours. This is 4 hours more than the recommended time for surgical masks.

Who Should Use a Mask?

So many people have taken to using masks as a means of protecting themselves against coronavirus. As you know, this virus, which originated from Wuhan in China has spread to so many countries. Quite a number of people are confused regarding whether to use masks or not. This brings us to the question, who should use a mask?

According to the World Health Organization, you do not need to wear a mask if you are healthy. However, certain situations warrant the use of masks when you are healthy. They include:

  • When you are providing care for a person that is confirmed or suspected to be infected with the coronavirus.
  • If you are sneezing or coughing and you suspect that you are infected with the coronavirus.

Regular surgical masks capture droplets that may be dispersed in sneezes, coughs, and breaths. The new coronavirus is transmitted via these means mostly. We have already told you about the two main types of masks, disposable surgical masks, and KN95 respirators.

According to the recommendation by the WHO, anyone can wear surgical masks during this pandemic. However, it is recommended that only medical practitioners and first responders should make use of KN95 masks.

The major challenge of using KN95 masks is that the wearer can face some difficulty with breathing. Some of them come with valves in front to aid the breathing of the wearer. They also prevent the condensation of moisture resulting from exhaled breath. This moisture makes the mask wet which puts the wearer at risk of virus infection.

It is important to note that wearing a mask without engaging in hand hygiene and avoiding touching your face. Hand hygiene requires you to wash your hands with soap under running water for 20 seconds at least. In the event that there is no soap and water, you can use hand sanitizers for about the same period.

Precautions When Using a KN95 Mask

KN95 masks are seen as a close substitute for N95 masks when they are not available. They ensure a close fit to the face to ensure the wearer is safe from airborne particles. These masks go through a lot of testing to ensure that they offer the required protection.

The fact about these masks is that if you don’t use them properly, you are still unsafe. Wrong use or abnormal use will still result in getting infected, inability to breathe properly, and other challenges. Because of this, the FDA has put forward a few instructions regarding the use of KN95 masks.

A person struggling with a cardiac, respiratory, or any other medical condition with breathing difficulty shouldn’t use these masks. If they have to, they must get clear and specific instructions from their health provider first. The reason for this is that breathing with the mask is already challenging. How much more when a person who has respiratory or breathing issues wears one, it could endanger life.

There are models of KN95 masks that are designed with breathing valves. Breathing is easier with these valves while the valves also help to dissipate heat building up inside the mask. It is important to note that masks that come with valves are not to be used in sterile conditions.

According to the FDA, KN95 masks should be used only once. After this, they should be disposed of safely immediately. In addition to this, when the wearer notices that the mask is soiled or damaged, it should be taken off and changed. This rule also applies when the wearer finds it difficult to breathe with the mask on.

When discarding a KN95 mask, you should first put it into a plastic bag. After you do this, put the plastic bag into the trash. You should have disposable gloves on while using the mask so you should dispose of the gloves along with the mask. After disposing of the plastic bag, wash your hands thoroughly using soap under running water.

It is important to note that children and people having facial hair cannot use KN95 masks. The reason is that the proper fit will not be achieved with both. When the proper fit is not achieved, the chances of getting infected are higher.

The CDC advises against repeated use of KN95 masks. However, there might be situations warranting more than single-use, therefore, read below for how to use.

Can You Reuse KN95 Masks?

Certain situations warrant the reuse of KN95 masks. One such situation is when there is a pandemic and the masks have become scarce. In this kind of situation, the CDC has provided certain recommendations. These recommendations guide the extended use of the face masks.

  • Reduce the number of people that should use this kind of respiratory protection. This can be achieved using administrative and engineering controls.
  • Make use of substitutes for KN95 respirators when it is possible. Examples of substitutes include full facepiece respirators, elastomeric half-masks, and powered air purification respirators.
  • Implement strategies that allow extending the use of the masks or reuse when it is absolutely necessary.
  • Ensure that you prioritize the usage of the masks for personnel that are most at risk of infection or complications.

There are times when extending the use of the KN95 masks is necessary. The CDC has also made provisions for this. You must follow these guidelines to avoid cross-contamination after donning the mask.

  • Dispose of the mask after use during a procedure where aerosols were generated.
  • Dispose of the mask when it is contaminated with nasal or respiratory secretions, blood, or any other bodily fluid. Any of these fluids may be expelled from an infected patient and puts the wearer at risk of infection.
  • Dispose of the mask if there has been close contact with an infected patient. It also binds when the wearer makes an exit from the patient’s ward or care area.
  • To avoid surface contamination as much as possible, a cleanable face shield is always a better option to KN95 masks.
  • Before donning and after doffing the mask, you must perform hand hygiene precautions. This means you should wash the hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. The required timeframe for both processes is a minimum of 20 seconds.

If you have to reuse a KN95 mask, then you should follow these recommendations by the CDC.

  • Dispose of the mask after use during a procedure where aerosols were generated.
  • Dispose of the mask when it is contaminated with nasal or respiratory secretions, blood, or any other bodily fluid. Any of these fluids may be expelled from an infected patient and puts the wearer at risk of infection.
  • Dispose of the mask if there has been close contact with an infected patient. It also binds when the wearer makes an exit from the patient’s ward or care area.
  • To avoid surface contamination as much as possible, a cleanable face shield is always a better option to KN95 masks.
  • After using a mask, you should hang it in the designated storage zone. You can also keep them inside a breathable container like a paper bag. When in storage, ensure that you keep masks apart so that they don’t touch. You should also properly identify the owner of each mask with a label.
  • Before and after you adjust the mask with your hands, ensure that you carry out hand hygiene. You should only touch the masks when there is an absolute need to adjust to maintain its fit or for comfort.
  • Never touch the interior of the mask. Once you do, it is important that you discard the mask and follow this with hand washing or use a sanitizer.
  • When donning and doffing a mask, make sure that you have non-sterile disposable gloves on. After each process, ensure that you dispose of the gloves properly.

If there is a need for extension of use or reuse, it must be by the initial wearer. This is very important because an asymptomatic wearer can still spread infections.

How to Reuse and Disinfect KN95 Masks

As we mentioned above, some situations warrant that you reuse a KN95 mask. When the need arises, you cannot wear the mask the way you left it. You need to clean the mask to ensure that you don’t pick up an infection.

How do you clean your KN95 masks? Here are a few principles to help you choose your cleaning process:

  • The cleaning method must be efficient enough to inactivate any viral load present on the mask.
  • The mask should not be soiled with either makeup or bodily fluids.
  • There cannot be a compromise of the mask fitting.
  • As much as possible, the process must preserve the ionic charge and filtration capacity of the mask.

With that out of the way, there are a number of decontamination processes you can choose from.

  • Using Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide

Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide has been used to decontaminate KN95 face masks by some researchers at Duke Health. This was achieved using a specialized piece of equipment in their laboratory. To do this vaporized hydrogen peroxide is passed over the mask. The result of this is that the microbes are killed while the fit and functionalities of the mask are maintained.

  • Using heat

Several tests were carried out to prove if this is possible. The process requires that the mask is heated to 70oC for a minimum of 30 minutes. This process is said to help decontaminated the mask of microbes while maintaining its filter integrity.

  • Using UV-C light

Many hospitals have already adopted this method of using UVGI (Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation) to eliminate coronaviruses. Based on several pieces of data, UV-C can inactivate coronaviruses.

This is achieved using a specific dosage as well as measuring adequate light to penetrate the mask surface. According to several reports, this most likely one of the nest methods of decontaminating KN95 masks.

It is important to note that all these processes are only for risk mitigation in extraordinary cases. They are yet to be certified by the CDC or FDA as methods of complete decontamination. When carrying out the last procedure, bathing the whole exterior surface of the mask is required. Else, there may still be traces of the virus on the untouched parts of the masks.

Can You Wash a KN95 Mask?

Many people have asked this question and it has a straightforward short answer, NO. Two things you should never do with your KN95 mask are:

  • Wash in soapy water.
  • Wet or spray the mask with liquid alcohol or an aerosol.

Mostly, these masks are designed with a paper covering on the exterior. The inner layer must not be washed, steamed, or boiled as any of these processes disintegrates the filter medium.

When cleaned using soapy water or alcohol, studies show that the make loses its filtration efficiency. This is why you cannot afford to try using any of these on your KN95 masks.

We have shown you a few methods of decontaminating your mask above. However, if you don’t have the means to do any of these, there’s a way out. It is boiling the mask and it will only work if your mask doesn’t have paper lining the internal or external parts.

To boil the mask you should submerge it in the water of about 125oC for a minimum of 3 minutes. Doing this will ensure that the mask is disinfected and you will still maintain the filtration efficiency.

When boiling or steaming the mask, ensure that you don’t stir it excessively. It is best to only manipulate it tactfully so that it remains submerged. Note that you should carry out this process with caution.

Can The KN95 Mask Protect You From The Coronavirus?

In several cities all around the world, face masks are selling out as coronavirus spreads like wildfire. The question most people are seeking an answer to is, can a KN95 mask protect you from the virus? To answer this question, we need to consider a few things.

First, the virus is airborne and can be transmitted from one person to another. The basic mode of transmission is when the virus enters the body through the orifices in the face. These orifices include the nose, mouth, and possibly, eyes.

Masks are worn as shields to prevent the exchange of respiratory and bodily fluids through the nose and mouth. Since KN95 masks are designed to block both tiny and large droplets, they may offer an amount of protection. They can block out 95% of the tiny airborne particles from entering the mouth and nose.

While they offer this sort of protection, it is only dependent on whether they are properly used. For example, if they don’t fit properly, then there is no point. This is why children and individuals with facial hair are advised to avoid these masks.

Another challenge with KN95 masks is that the wearer may face some difficulty when breathing. As a result of this, a person who is already displaying symptoms of coronavirus may find the mask inconvenient. In fact, it could turn out more harmful for such an individual.

The best way to keep yourself safe is to avoid large gatherings and carry out hand hygiene often. Once you notice any symptoms or you suspect you have caught the virus, reach out to the local authorities. It is also important that you start to isolate yourself when you feel you are at risk of coronavirus.

What Can The KN95 Mask Filter Out

Here is a list of particulates your KN95 mask can filter out:

  • Air pollutants (such as PM2.5 and PM10). This mask can filter 95% of all the particles that have a median diameter of 0.3 micrometers. So it can protect from the above particles as well as smaller ones.
  • Another particle your KN95 mask can protect you from is pollen. Regular pollen grains have a diameter between 10 micrometers and 100 micrometers. This means the KN95 mask is more than capable of filtering out pollen.
  • Smog contains certain chemicals and particles that can result in irritation and trigger allergies. A KN95 mask comes with a carbon layer that is equipped to filter out smog easily.
  • Smoke and exhaust from automobiles. Automobiles will always release exhaust fumes or smoke into the air. These are harmful to human existence as well as the atmosphere. While the mask may not be able to save the atmosphere, it can save you by filtering both out. This is achieved through the carbon filter.
  • Fragrances and odors. There are certain fragrances and odors that we may be allergic to. In the presence of such fragrances and odors, we are likely to sneeze or experience other allergies. Wearing the mask helps to reduce these contaminants by filtering the air through the carbon filter.
  • Animal allergens. Regular animal allergens are about 5 micrometers to 10 micrometers in size. A KN95 mask can filter out a minimum of 0.3 micrometers. Wearing one means you are protected from animal allergens.

It is important to note that your mask will only be effective if:

  • You wear them properly.
  • It is the right size for you.

Conclusion

A KN95 mask is very efficient in protecting against coronavirus only if you meet the required conditions. This means you have to use the mask properly and it should be the perfect fit. You should also note that wearing a mask doesn’t completely protect you.

You must frequently carry out hand hygiene and maintain social distancing. If you feel like you are infected, isolate yourself immediately and call the local health authorities. (If you need KN95 mask, click https://www.trendebut.com)

Trendebut
05-18
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