KN95 respirators are mainly assessed based upon their rates of filtration. But this is not the only critical metric that governs their performance. For it to be effective, it must form the correct fit around the edges of the face. If air leaks through the interface between the corners of the respirator and your face’s skin, it’ll render it no more effective than a mask that has the proper seal but a poor rate of filtration. In this article, we’ll discuss three ways to fix the fit of your mask to avoid contamination and infiltration.
Test For Any Leaking Air Around the Lower and Upper Parts of your Respirator
After positioning the respirator, check for any air leakage around its corners. To do that, initially put both hands around the top part of your respirator, one on both sides. Keep them near the respirator but don’t touch it. Next, forcefully exhale and check if it’s possible to feel any air getting to your hands. Repeat the process with the hands around the bottom part of the respirator, with one hand upon either part. If you don’t feel any air against the hands, you’ve achieved the correct fit for the respirator.
Use the Nasal Splint of the Respirator to Improve Your KN95 Face Mask Fit
Even though it might seem like an obvious tip, many people avoid using the mask’s adjustable nasal splint to accomplish the right fit while using a KN95 face mask, see more to buy it online. You ought to adjust your splint after initially applying the proper hygiene then wearing the respirator. Next, delicately mold the splint against the edges of the nose. Use two fingers from both hands on either part of the nose. Don’t use two fingers from the very same hand to adjust the splint against the edges of the nasal bridge. This method will frequently fail to accomplish the right fit of your KN95 face mask against the nose.
Mold your splint against the nose, beginning from the middle and moving out to both parts. Make sure that the splint is snugly yet comfortably following the edges of the nasal bridge. Tip: it’s often easier to accomplish the correct KN95 face mask fit by beginning with the splint as high up on the nose as it feels comfortable.
When you’ve finished molding your nasal splint, utilize the seal mentioned above to check that you’ve achieved the correct fit for the KN95 respirator.
Criss Cross the Head Straps to Achieve the Correct KN95 Face Mask Fit
While applying a respirator with head straps, most folks position the bottom strap right under their ears. Some might even set it around their neck. Then, they place the top strap above their ears. In some instances, the top strap might be above their ears and might pass over their head’s crown.
With the proper fit, masks effectively block 95 percent of airborne particles less than .3 microns. Accomplishing an air-tight seal against the face edges is as critical as the filtration abilities of the mask itself.
