Participant Handouts

MODULE 1
Handout #7
The N-95 Particulate Respirator
The respirator in your kit is called an N-95 particulate respirator. Here are a few
things to know about your respirators.
• Respirators are designed to fit adults, their use by children is not recommended.
• The use of the N-95 respirators by itself will not fully protect you from acquiring
an avian influenza infection – they must be used in combination with all of the
other PPE items in your kit.
• N-95 respirators must be made to fit each face. An N-95 respirator that has not
been fitted properly can leave unprotected gaps between the respirator and your
face, and these gaps will impair the respirator’s effectiveness.
• Facial hair or unusual facial features make it difficult to fit N-95 respirators properly.
N-95 respirators cannot effectively be worn with beards or unshaven faces.
• The N-95 respirators lose their protective properties and must be changed when
they become wet from saliva or respiratory secretions.
• If a respirator is splashed and becomes wet, it should be changed using strict
hand-washing procedures and gloves.
• The respirators should be discarded and replaced after 4-6 hours of use. The
other PPE can remain on for the duration of your activities.
• Surgical masks are not respirators! Surgical masks are designed to protect patients
from contaminants generated by the person wearing the mask. They filter out
large-size particles in the air but they offer little protection against avian influenza
virus.
• N-95 respirators should not be hung around your neck when working. Always
wear them when working