Is a surgical mask, procedure mask, ear-loop mask or dust mask the same as a respirator?
No. Unless you find a marking on the mask itself, or on the box that states “NIOSH certified N95 respirator,” the mask is limited to protecting patients from your cough droplets, and protecting you from large droplet splashes, large dusts or your fingers from landing in your mouth or nose. These masks neither fit as well, nor filter as well as N95 respirators. N95s are designed to both fit better and effectively filter out tiny aerosol particles – such tuberculosis, mold or lab animal allergens. Please note that medical N95s also are approved for surgery. The N in N95 means the respirator is Not resistant to oily particles such as mists from machine oils, oil-based spray paint, or pesticide spraying. For these oily aerosol hazards a R95 (Resistant to oil) or a P95 (oil Proof) respirator is needed – often in combination with an organic vapor cartridge. For more information please see the 3M Respirators and Surgical Mask Comparison (PDF format).
