Where to buy N95 Respirator & 3M face masks online in India 2022

The World Health Organization’s current advice is that you only need to wear a face mask if you have contracted COVID-19 or are treating someone who is sick. In India it is compulsory to wear face masks in

• Uttar Pradesh
• Dehli
• Maharashtra
• Chandigarh
• Odisha

Here’s what you need to know and where to buy masks.

Right now, N95 and P2 masks are out of stock at many retailers. However, the Chinese standard KN95 mask, which meets similar needs, may be available at some online stores. We’re updating this list regularly to reflect availability, but if you genuinely need a mask it definitely pays to check multiple retailers.

Where to buy face masks online in India

If N95 masks are out of stock, can I buy a P2 or KN95 mask?

Yes — but be wary of scams. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic has led to equipment shortages, especially N95 masks. Unscrupulous sellers are selling fakes to try to profit from the situation. 3M, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of masks, offers a tool to check if a product is genuine.

And though the FDA originally left the KN95 off its approved list of respirators in a March 28 statement, it has since approved KN95 masks that meet specific criteria.

You can find P2 and KN95 masks at several retailers on this page.

How an N95 mask is constructed

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 two 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.

How to remove your mask properly

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, and then wash your hands.

Frequently asked questions

• Do N95 face masks come in different sizes?

  Yes. Sizes depend on the model but often include small, small/medium, medium/large and large.

• When should I replace my n95 mask?

  If there is visible damage to the filter or you begin to have trouble breathing through it. Disposable masks should be discarded altogether, while other masks are designed to be reused with a replacement filter.

• Is it legal to sell face masks online?

  Yes. Retailers like those we list on this page are legally able to sell face masks online. Some platforms such as Amazon and Facebook Marketplace have temporarily restricted new third-party listings for face masks in an attempt to stop price gouging and the sale of counterfeit or fake items.