There are significant differences between masks and respirators. Surgical masks and face masks are not respirators and do not provide the same level of protection to workers as properly fitted respirators.
Respirators:
- A personal protective device that is worn on the face or head and covers at least the nose and mouth.
- Used to reduce the wearer’s risk of inhaling hazardous airborne particles (including infectious agents), gases or vapors.
- Respirators, including those intended for use in healthcare settings (e.g., N95s), are certified by the CDC and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
- Provide protection as indicated from manufacturer.
Mask and respirator comparisons are described in Table 1.
Table 1. Comparing Surgical Masks and Respirators. | Surgical Mask | Respirators (e.g., N95) |
| Testing and approval | Cleared for use by FDA | Evaluated, tested, and approved by NIOSH as per the requirements in 42 CFR Part 84. |
| Intended use and purpose | Fluid resistant and provides the wearer protection against large droplets, splashes, or sprays of bodily or other hazardous fluids. Protects the patient from the wearer’s respiratory emissions. | Reduces wearer’s exposure to particles including small particle aerosols and large droplets (only non-oil aerosols). |
| Face Seal Fit | Loose-fitting | Tight-fitting |
| Fit testing requirement | No | Yes |
| User seal check requirement | No | Yes. Required each time the respirator is donned (put on). |
| Filtration | Does NOT provide the wearer with a reliable level of protection from inhaling smaller airborne particles and is not considered respiratory protection. | Filters out at least 95% of airborne particles including large and small particles. |
| Leakage | Leakage occurs around the edges of the mask when user inhales | When properly fitted and donned, minimal leakage occurs around edges of the respirator when user inhales. |
| Use limitations | Disposable. Discard after each patient encounter. | Ideally should be discarded after each patient encounter and after aerosol-generating procedures. It should also be discarded when it becomes damaged or deformed; no longer forms an effective seal to the face; becomes wet or visibly dirty; breathing becomes difficult; or becomes contaminated with blood, respiratory or nasal secretions, or other bodily fluids from patients. |
