How to protect from wildfire using masks?

Wildfire is an uncontrollable and unforeseen disaster brought on by the human race or natural climate change. However, certain regions of the world are prone to numerous wildfires and the inextricable link between the climatic changes in this part of the world and bigger fires is undeniable.

 

Apart from disrupting transportation, communications, power, and water supply, it has an immediate impact on air quality. If you live in a wild-fire prone areas, the CDC recommends wearing masks at all times during indoor and outdoor activities. A personal degree of protection, such as collaborating with a reputable N95 cup mask wholesaler, is an excellent option.

Types of masks to wear:

Procedural masks: Surgical masks are not to be confused with respirators such as N95 masks. The procedural masks harm the wearer by giving them a false sense of security and safety against air particulates.

 
Respirators: These respirators are divided into two types based on their way of operation: air supplying and air-purifying respirators (APRs). Because of their weight, air providing systems are only worn by firefighters and not by the general public, as they require special training to wear. Air purifying devices, on the other hand, have cartridges, filters, or canisters that may easily remove air contaminants before they reach the wearer's respiratory system. And depending on the contaminants it purifies it is again divided into 3 categories further:

 

• Particulate Respirator: As the name implies it filters particles - air, mist, and fumes – but not hazardous gases or vapors.
• Gas and Vapour Respirators: These respirators filter polluted gases and vapors from the air.
• Combination respirator: It is the combines the efficiency of particulate respirator and gas and vapor respirator, making it a piece of cumbersome equipment to use.

Non-powered APRs: Depending on the type of inlet covering, these are available in various types- half facepiece, full-facepiece, half mask, and quarter mask.

• Half-piece Respirator: It is the most common type and readily covers the nose, mouth, and chin. The distinguishing feature is that the entire covering acts as a filtering shield and is attached through straps. e.g.: N95 mask.
• Particulate Facepiece respirator: These are usually disposable items that can't be cleaned once they've become contaminated, soiled, or provide too much barrier for breathing.
• Elastomeric half-piece respirators: It is a reusable and non-disposable respirator with a thermoplastic facepiece that is held to the face by two head straps and one or more filters. This mask can be used again because it is readily cleaned. To provide maximum protection, make sure these filters and cartridges are cleaned and maintained properly.

The risks associated with a wildfire are significant. And there is no good proof that any one form of respirator is effective in combating this disaster. However, FHPR (filtering half-piece respirator) is the most commonly used respirator to filter out particles found in wood smoke particles. Also, look for a licensed N95 cup mask wholesaler who follows NIOSH's rigorous criteria.

Certification of respirators
A wearer has ample respirators to choose from. However, a certified respirator is a better choice than a non-certified one. A glance will assist you in choosing the proper mask:

• Respirators are subjected to NIOSH certification
• Non-respirators like procedural masks are not subjected to NIOSH certification
• TC Approval Number: TC (testing and certification) number must be provided on the packaging, if not present, that it is neither NIOSH certified nor can provide protection against wildfire hazards. TC is provided if the mask is manufactured after 2008.