Can “industrial N95 respirators” be used when splashes or sprays of potentially infectious body fluids are anticipated?
NIOSH-certified “industrial N95 respirators” for protection against particulate aerosols (liquids as well as solids) fall into two groups: disposable N95 respirators and reusable elastomeric respirators (either half face or full face). These respirators have not been cleared as medical devices by FDA. They should not be used as “surgical respirators” in situations where a sterile field is required (e.g. during an invasive procedure in an operating or procedure room). Depending on if they are disposable N95 respirators or reusable elastomeric respirators, different approaches should be taken to using these two types of “industrial N95 respirators” as personal protective equipment in settings where splashes or sprays of potentially infectious body fluids are anticipated. Disposable N95 respirators not cleared as medical devices by FDA have not generally been evaluated against the test standard recommended for fluid resistance determination for medical masks. Healthcare personnel who use
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