Difference between Respirator and Source Control Masks

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/bulletin/2020/source-control.html

Respiratory protection

• Refers to respirators

• Can include filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs)

  • Ex: N95 respirators

What are respirators?

• Device that covers a person’s nose, mouth, entire face — prevent from breathing in contaminants

• Helps protect YOU from contaminants and droplets

Source control

• Use of mask to cover person’s mouth & nose — reduce spread of respiratory droplets to others when talking, sneezing, or coughing

2 purpose for face masks

Respiratory protection

• Protects wearer

• Uses a respirator (N95)

• Filters harmful particles from air the wearer breathes in

Source control

• Protects other people

• Uses a mask (cloth or surgical mask)

• Reduce spread of respiratory droplets from wearer

____________________________________________

Respiratory = Protects ME

Mask = Protects OTHERS

How respirators work

Respirators remove particles from inhaled air using a filter

They protect against:

• Bacteria

• Viruses

• Dust

• Mold

• Other airborne particles

Requirements for Respirators to Work Properly

1. Effective Filter

• The respirator must have a filter that captures airborne particles

2. Tight Face Seal

• The respirator must fit the user’s face snugly to minimize the number of particles that bypass the filter

• Good seal = air goes through filter

✔ Good filter

✔ Tight seal

N95 Respirators

What does N95 mean?

• An N95 respirator filters at least 95% of airborne particles.

MUST be discarded after every use or shift

• Damaged seal (metal nose strip)

• Particles build up

• Damaged, wet, soiled, moisture = reduce filter efficiency

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

Respirators should be NIOSH-approved

• Some products are labeled "N95" but are NOT NIOSH-approved

• Not NIOSH approved = Respiratory protection not guaranteed

Look for:

• The word "NIOSH"

• Official labeling

Fit Testing by OSHA

Why is Fit Testing Needed?

A respirator must fit the wearer's face to create a tight seal = provide protection

• Fit testing minimizes contaminant leakage into facepiece

• No proper fit = no proper protection

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires:

• Fit testing on make and model of respirator before use

• Annual fit testing (first time used and every year after)

• SOONER testing if

  • Weight change

  • Facial features change

  • Dental work

Respirators with Exhalation Valves

Respirators with exhalation valves:

• 1 way flap that releases hot air when exhale, closes when inhale

• Protect the wearer

  • Allow unfiltered air to escape

Because of this:

They should NOT be used for source control during COVID-19

If Source Control is Needed

• Use a respirator without an exhalation valve

OR

• Cover the valve with a surgical or cloth mask (without affecting the fit).

Why Masks Are Not Respirators

• Masks do not reduce particles the wearer will inhale

• Do not form a tight seal

• Are not designed to filter very small airborne particles

• Are not fit tested

• Are not approved or evaluated by NIOSH as respiratory protection

They help prevent asymptomatic people from spreading droplets

✔ Helps protect others (reduce spread)

❌ Does not provide respiratory protection like an N95.

Cloth Masks

Benefits

• Can be/ should be washed after every use

Should I wear a respirator?

• CDC does not recommend general public to wear respirators to protect themselves

• Supply shortage for critical workers that need respiratory protection in healthcare

• Public can’t get fit tested = Not protected

Who Should NOT Wear Masks?

Masks should not be worn by:

• Children under 2 years old.

• Anyone who has trouble breathing

Surgical Masks in Healthcare

• A surgical mask is a loose fitting mask used in healthcare settings

• Creates physical barrier between mouth/nose from contaminant in environment

• Cannot block small particles

• Not tight seal

• Used as source control as well

Helps block

• Large particle droplets

• Splahes

• Sprays

• Splatters (germs such as viruses and bacteria) from reaching wearers mouth/nose

Regulated by the:

• Food and Drug administration (FDA)

Best way to prevent COVID 19

• Stay home

• Stay 6 feet apart

• Hand hygiene