Respiratory Protection
Facemasks
Unlike NIOSH-approved N95 facepieces, facemasks are loose-fitting and provide only minimal barrier protection against droplets, including large respiratory particles. No fit testing or seal check is necessary with facemasks. Cloth facemasks do not effectively filter viruses and other smaller particles from the air and they do not prevent leakage around the edge of the mask when the user inhales.
Facemasks and N95 Respirators
The role of facemasks is for patient source control, to prevent contamination of the surrounding area when a person coughs or sneezes. Therefore they do not perform the same function as a N95 filtering facepieces and should not be considered PPE. People with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 should wear a facemask until they are isolated in a hospital or at home. The person does not need to wear a facemask while isolated. See Understanding the Difference info graphic for more information.
The CDC does not recommend that the general public routinely wear N95 respirators to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including coronavirus (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions, such as hand washing, to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases. More information.
N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirators (FFR)
Filtering facepieces are the primary respirator being used for COVID-19. An N95 FFR is a type of respirator which removes particles from the air that are breathed through it. These respirators filter out at least 95% of very small (0.3 micron) particles. N95 FFRs are capable of filtering out all types of particles, including bacteria and viruses. See approved manufacturers.
For a list of N95 and other approved respirator models see the NIOSH-Approved Particulate Filtering Facepiece webpage.
The appropriate form of respirator will depend on the type of exposure and on the transmission pattern of COVID-19. See the NIOSH "Respirator Selection Logic" or the OSHA "Respiratory Protection eTool."
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
2-7. Routine use of filtering facepiece respirators outside of workplace settings (in the community) is _____.
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