Making Masks at Home; N95 masks details

Due to increasing pollution level people started using masks to protect their lives from pollution. But now days Masks are becoming part of their routine activity considering coronavirus spread worldwide. Because using masks and sanitization are the only available options with the people for protecting their lives and their loved ones.

Now there are so many companies started manufacturing masks and even local people started manufacturing masks at their homes to make quick bucks even when they are playing with live of people. Due to increasing demand in market all the branded masks has gone out of shelves and people have not any other option but to buy the local products.

Best masks for the aforesaid purposes are N95 masks and other best in the field are FFP2 and FFP3 masks. A genuine N95 mask is approved by NIOSH(The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) and have TC number on that mask. In current scenario it is very difficult to get the N95 masks in market. Now in this article we will tell you how to make a mask at home, although the mask isn’t as effective as that of N95 mask but something is better than nothing.

Making Mask at Home

You can make mask even if you don’t know how to sew. These masks are quite effective for filtering the particles in the air which will reduce risk of exposure to viruses in the air. The effective mask is that mask which makes a seal over mouth and nose so that none of particle will get inside the gap.

You can make the mask using silk material which will form the outer layer and middle layer will be of woven material like cotton or nylon and cotton on inside parts will form the effective and comfortable mask. If you use wool it may allergies or irritate your skin.

Non-Sewed Masks

You can use cotton T-Shirts to make masks if you don’t know how to sew. You have first boil the cotton for atleast 10 minutes so that it get sterilized and after that this cotton is cut down to the size of mask and eight layers are formed from this cotton to form the inner layers of masks which will cover the mouth and nose.  This mask is now tied using elastic and studies has shown that these masks are very effective in dealing with pollutants and viruses.

Sewed Masks:-

If you know how to sew then you can follow methodology to form the mask:-

First cut the 2 rectangular silk material fabric having standard size of 12”X6” and then sew both upper and lower sides of both the silk cloths. Now fill the either cotton layers as mentioned in non-sewed mask or use cotton fabric layers to fill the gap between 2 silk cloth pieces and now tie an elastic at both ends of cotton cloth and now your mask is ready for use.

If you are still want to buy the mask from the market then following things are required to be checked before buying a mask:-

1.       Always try to buy branded masks such as of 3M which is market leader in manufacturing masks. They manufacture masks having no. as N95, N99, N100,N95 etc. higher the no. more effective will be the mask is and more costlier the mask will be.

2.       There are masks available which can even absorb harmful gases, chemicals, bacteria and viruses.

3.       There are so many markings available on branded masks which will tell you about authenticity of masks e.g. there will be marking from CE and EN 149:2001+A1:2009 FFP2 R where FFP2 means that person using this mask will get lower pollution by factor of 10 and R stands for reusability

4.       The foremost thing which you should consider before buying the mask is level of particulate matter which you are required to get filtered out. Our nose is effective filter for PM10 particulate matter and there is requirement of filtering out particulate matter having size below PM10 as particulate matter PM10 will get inside your lungs and particles below 1 micron can directly go into blood stream and cause damage.

5.       Always buy mask which can fit on your mouth and nose and there is no gap between mask and nose or mouth so none of viruses of particulate matter can go directly into your nose and mouth.

Now what is N95 Mask?

N95 mask means that this mask can filter out 95% of small particles having size 0.3 micron

Comparison between surgical mask and N95 Masks:-

A surgical mask is loose fitted mask and these masks are act as potential barrier between person wearing this mask and the immediate environment and these are not designed to provide seal around nose and mouth. On the other hand N95 masks are designed for very close fit for sealing nose and mouth from direct external environment. They are effective for airborne particles.

People with breathing problems should not use the N95 masks as this makes them breathe with difficulty.