There are significant differences between masks and respirators. Surgical and face masks are not respirators and do not provide workers the same level of protection as adequately fitted respirators.
Respirators:
- A personal protective device worn on the face or head 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.
- The CDC and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) certify respirators, including those intended for use in healthcare settings (e.g., N95s).
- Protect as indicated by the 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 the FDA | NIOSH evaluated, tested, and approved as per the requirements in 42 CFR Part 84. |
| Intended use and purpose | Fluid-resistant protects the wearer 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 | It does not reliably protect the wearer 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 the user inhales | When properly fitted and donned, minimal leakage occurs around the edges of the respirator when the user inhales. |
| Use Limitations | Disposable. Discard after each patient encounter. | Ideally, it should be discarded after each patient encounter and aerosol-generating procedure. 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. |
