Dust Masks and Respirators: Just How Effective Are They?Dust Masks and Respirators: Just How Effective Are They?
Facing the dangers of the world outside our house is inevitable.
Each day, the pollution gets so much worse, and this has led people to seek protection in the form of a dust mask. A lot of researchers have shown that exposure to dust and other potentially toxic airborne particulates have adverse effects on the health of a person – especially the lungs, heart, and even the brain.
As a result, the healthcare system has extended its efforts. In seeking a more effective alternative in shielding people from harmful particles. Environmental organizations have played an important role by establishing national programs and celebrations that aim to reduce urban air pollution and its negative effects on the health of communities.
The Use of Filtered Masks in Preventing the Effects of Air Pollution
Various types of dust masks have started emerging on the market today with particulate respirator masks topping the charts. These face masks are designed to protect the public from dust, allergens, pollutants, pathogenic organisms, and other particles down to 2.5 microns in size. The n95 mask is a type of particulate respirator with a protection factor of 5. This means that it can block out 95% of air particulates that might compromise the health of a person, assuming that it fits the user’s face perfectly when properly worn.
With all the facts presented, still, one specific question continues to bug the minds of the people: Just how effective are these particulate masks?
The Effectiveness of Dust Masks Tested by Research
Two researchers in China tested the effectiveness of dust masks in protecting the people of their country. Subjects were made to wear the n95 masks while walking on the streets of Beijing. In their results, they found out that people who were wearing the n95 masks were reported to have lower blood pressure. Particularly noteworthy was that participants with heart problems experienced an improvement in their blood flow and oxygen delivery throughout their bodies.
This result led the researchers to believe that wearing the mask could have a positive effect on the health of a person since they received less exposure to air pollution. However, they are continuously urging environmental scientists to improve and continue doing research on this subject to support the claims.
The is one of the top-performing dust masks to date. With its ability to filter out up to 0.3 microns of particles, you’ll be sure that you will be protected from the adverse effect of air pollution, including harmful gases. It’s also NIOSH approved which means that it’s perfectly safe and efficient.
While dust masks are made in a standard “one size fits all” size for respirator masks, there are various types of these masks depending on their assigned protection factor (APF). If your primary concern is to block out toxic chemical fumes, smoke, or other particulates in the air when you’re working or cleaning, then the particulate mask is the right choice to protect your health and safety.