What is a NIOSH-Approved N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirator?
Even though you see N95 on the package, it still may not be the right kind of respirator, or one that meets NIOSH approval requirements. You may have heard that a NIOSH-approved N95 respirator is recommended for your respiratory-protection needs. This is one of the most commonly used respirators. Again, even though you see N95 on the package, it still may not be the right kind of respirator, or one that meets NIOSH approval requirements. Filtering Facepiece respirators are divided into various classes based on their filtration capabilities. “N95 respirator” is a term used to describe the class of respirators which use N95 filters to remove particles from the air that is breathed through them. The NIOSH respirator approval regulation defines the term N95 to refer to a filter class that removes at least 95% of airborne particles during “worse case” testing using a “most-penetrating” sized particle during NIOSH testing. Filters meeting the criteria are given a 95 rating. Many filtering fa
