
N95 Respirator Face Mask (Made in Canada) (10PCS) Available in black & white
PPE Supply Canada
There’s a lot of information out there about when and where to wear a mask and what type of mask you need for various situations. Use this quick guide to help you decide which kind of face mask best fits your needs.
Mask type | Who’s it best for? | Description | How long does it last? |
---|---|---|---|
N95 respirators, KN95 face masks ![]() | Healthcare workers | Blocks at least 95% of airborne particles when worn properly. Adheres to government testing regulations. | Can be reused in certain situations, but must be discarded after coming into contact with bodily fluids, infected patients and in other circumstances. Read the CDC’s full reuse guidelines. |
Surgical face masks ![]() | People who are sick or caring for someone who’s sick | Protects wearers from infecting others. Usually made of 3 layers of melt-blown fabric. | Intended to be discarded after every use. |
Cloth face masks ![]() | The general population when in a public space (particularly when it’s hard to socially distance from others) | Typically made from cotton fabric with elastic or tie straps. Some designs have a pocket to place a removable filter. | Can be washed and reused for weeks or even months, as long as the material maintains its integrity. |
DIY face masks ![]() | The general population when in a public space (particularly when it’s hard to socially distance from others) | Can be homemade using an old T-shirt, bandana, coffee filter or other readily available materials. | Depends on the materials used. Most DIY cloth masks can be washed and reused for weeks or even months, as long as the material maintains its integrity. |
Certification/Class | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Filter performance | ≥ 95% | ≥ 95% | ≥ 95% | ≥ 94% | ≥ 94% | ≥ 95% |
Test agent | NaCl | NaCl and paraffin oil | NaCl | NaCl | NaCl and paraffin oil | NaCl |
Flow rate | 85 L/min | 95 L/min | 85 L/min | 95 L/min | 95 L/min | 85 L/min |
Total inward leakage (TIL) | N/A | ≤ 8% leakage | ≤ 8% leakage | ≤ 8% leakage | ≤ 8% leakage | Inward Leakage measured and included in User Instructions |
Inhalation resistance | ≤ 343 Pa | ≤ 70 Pa (at 30L/min)≤ 240 Pa (at 95 L/min)≤ 500 Pa (clogging) | ≤ 350 Pa | ≤ 70 Pa (at 30L/min)≤ 240 Pa (at 95L/min) | ≤ 70 Pa (at 30L/min)≤ 240 Pa (at 95L/min) | ≤ 70 Pa (w/valve)≤ 50 Pa (no valve) |
Flow rate | 85L/min | Varied – seeabove | 85L/min | Varied – seeabove | Varied – seeabove | 40L/min |
Exhalation resistance | ≤ 245 Pa | ≤ 300 Pa | ≤ 250 Pa | ≤ 120 Pa | ≤ 300 Pa | ≤ 70 Pa (w/valve) ≤ 50 Pa (no valve) |
Flow rate | 85L/min | 160L/min | 85L/min | 85L/min | 160L/min | 40L/min |
Exhalation valve leakage requirement | Leak rate ≤ 30mL/min | N/A | Depressurization to 0 Pa ≥ 20 sec | Leak rate ≤ 30mL/min | Visual inspection after 300L /min for 30 sec | Depressurization to 0 Pa ≥ 15sec |
Force applied | -245 Pa | N/A | -1180 Pa | -250 Pa | N/A | -1,470 Pa |
CO2 clearance requirement | N/A | ≤ 1% | ≤ 1% | ≤ 1% | ≤ 1% | ≤ 1% |
It depends on where you live. Some cities have implemented bylaws requiring people to wear face masks when in public. Outside these jurisdictions, businesses and other organizations may still exercise the discretion to require customers and employees to wear face masks. In some regions, wearing a mask is mandatory when riding public transit.
The consequences for failing to follow regional rules usually involve stiff fines ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars.
Take a look at this helpful page on the Government of Canada website to learn more about masks that offer the best protection during COVID-19. You can also learn about when and how to use masks from the World Health Organization’s site.
N95 masks are made of several layers of special non-woven fabric, with a filtration facepiece respirator (FFP) in the middle.
The two outer layers are made from melt-blown fabric, which filters out small airborne particles. Melt-blown fabric is made by melting polypropylene and other similar types of plastics and using a machine to draw the material out into fine strands. As these strands cool next to each other, they bond together to form a solid sheet of melt-blown fabric.
Between these 2 layers is a layer of no-melt cotton, which absorbs moisture, and the FFP respirator. The respirator component of masks like the N95, FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3 set them apart from disposable surgical masks, which do not contain a respirator but still protect the wearer from spreading airborne particles and being exposed to bodily fluids.
First, wash your hands thoroughly before putting on your mask. When you’re ready to take it off, do not touch the front of the mask — it could be contaminated. Instead, remove the mask by pulling the bottom strap over the back of your head, followed by the top strap. Discard the mask immediately, and then wash your hands.
Looking to buy a 3M mask in Canada? Pick up a 3M respirator, 3M N95 mask or other 3M safety supplies from one of these online retailers.