Quote:
Originally Posted by temsmedic
Since you work for that company, I'd like to see what your thoughts are on using something like the 3M Half Facepiece respirator. I strongly suspect that any of the standard hospital type masks, within minutes, are so saturated with water that the only way anyone inhales is from around the sides of the mask. The tiny exhalation port on some of the masks is so small, I suspect it isn't much better.
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3...beF3RH7CD92Ngl
These masks aren't certified for medical use, but if they fit well, I suspect that they are probably better than a saturated mask. They would certainly be more likely to be used. They may also still be found locally.
Also, it is important to remember that you'll need some dorky safety glasses. If the virus containing particle hits the mucous membranes of the eye, you'll be infected also. |
temsmedic,
our mfgr training on N95s was that they have a two hour working life in mild environments before saturation. A P100 or half face mask w/ replaceable cartridges will provide a much better fit and seal to the face, while filtering to 99.5%, rather than the N95's 95% filtration performance. The P100s were rated for a six hour working life in a mild environment. IMHO, the N95's chief virtue is that it is cheap. OTOH, an N95 is better than nothing.
Procedure masks (and those things that you see the people in Mexico wearing), of course, are intended for the containment of droplets and particles emitted from an infected wearer, not for filtration.