What's the latest in face masks to avoid COVID-19?
June 29, 2023 4:38 PM Subscribe
Have there been any innovations or improvements to pandemic face masks in the last year or so—especially as relates to comfort, fit, seal, durability?
I'm interested in what's new/improved in the last year or so, not recommendations for masks people like, please. I check Project n95's shop every so often
* For example, I remember a number of masks in the past that weren't n95s, but were waiting to get through NiOSH(?) testing to qualify as such (can't remember which or if they did).
* Some government contests rewarding/funding innovation that had advanced some semifinalists to a new stage (can't remember what/where/how to check status).
* Adhesive strapless n95s (Redimask?) seemed like an interesting path, but then I tried one (glasses fogged, and boy you don't want to sneeze in one of those) and am not surprised I've seen few around
(I searched "masks" and didn't see anything about innovations at least a year back—would appreciate links if I missed something specific to recent upgrades!)
I'm interested in what's new/improved in the last year or so, not recommendations for masks people like, please. I check Project n95's shop every so often
* For example, I remember a number of masks in the past that weren't n95s, but were waiting to get through NiOSH(?) testing to qualify as such (can't remember which or if they did).
* Some government contests rewarding/funding innovation that had advanced some semifinalists to a new stage (can't remember what/where/how to check status).
* Adhesive strapless n95s (Redimask?) seemed like an interesting path, but then I tried one (glasses fogged, and boy you don't want to sneeze in one of those) and am not surprised I've seen few around
(I searched "masks" and didn't see anything about innovations at least a year back—would appreciate links if I missed something specific to recent upgrades!)
Best answer: I've heard surprisingly good things about Sip Mask but I haven't been able to convince myself to try it.
posted by wintersweet at 5:18 PM on June 29, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by wintersweet at 5:18 PM on June 29, 2023 [3 favorites]
Best answer: There's not a lot of innovation, at least on the consumer side, since 2021. There are political and economic reasons for this. For your specific questions:
NIOSH still certifies N95s, but there hasn't been any change to the N95 standard. Many of the companies that tried to make masks in the US have given up or went out of business. There was no market after the pandemic formally ended, and no protectionist measures were passed. (America's mask makers face post-pandemic meltdown)
There was an attempt to make a mask standard for normal people by the CDC: Making Enhanced Performance Barrier Face Coverings that weren't as restrictive as N95s. There's a list of masks here: Barrier Face Coverings and Workplace Performance/Performance Plus Masks. You can see that the list is composed of near-N95 masks, which all filter 90%+, and others which are much lower and probably just fabric. You could probably just buy existing KF94s which come in different sizes and colors instead.
The Mask Innovation Challenge ended, and here are the results. Airgami is supposedly very breathable, but it costs $30 instead of $1. And you already know about Redimask.
There is a very small market for masks with rubber or other better seals. I know of the Flo Mask and Envo Mask (which existed pre-pandemic, but also came out with a completely new design). These are both more expensive to purchase and more expensive to maintain, but they may be more comfortable and better sealing than alternatives.
In healthcare, there is a new category of source control (non-valved) elastomeric respirators listed here on NIOSH. These are mostly derived from industrial masks. Some have speech diaphrams. Examples are the Honeywell RU8500X, MSA Advantage 900, and GVS Elipse Source Control. Not really for consumers.
posted by meowzilla at 5:22 PM on June 29, 2023 [21 favorites]
NIOSH still certifies N95s, but there hasn't been any change to the N95 standard. Many of the companies that tried to make masks in the US have given up or went out of business. There was no market after the pandemic formally ended, and no protectionist measures were passed. (America's mask makers face post-pandemic meltdown)
There was an attempt to make a mask standard for normal people by the CDC: Making Enhanced Performance Barrier Face Coverings that weren't as restrictive as N95s. There's a list of masks here: Barrier Face Coverings and Workplace Performance/Performance Plus Masks. You can see that the list is composed of near-N95 masks, which all filter 90%+, and others which are much lower and probably just fabric. You could probably just buy existing KF94s which come in different sizes and colors instead.
The Mask Innovation Challenge ended, and here are the results. Airgami is supposedly very breathable, but it costs $30 instead of $1. And you already know about Redimask.
There is a very small market for masks with rubber or other better seals. I know of the Flo Mask and Envo Mask (which existed pre-pandemic, but also came out with a completely new design). These are both more expensive to purchase and more expensive to maintain, but they may be more comfortable and better sealing than alternatives.
In healthcare, there is a new category of source control (non-valved) elastomeric respirators listed here on NIOSH. These are mostly derived from industrial masks. Some have speech diaphrams. Examples are the Honeywell RU8500X, MSA Advantage 900, and GVS Elipse Source Control. Not really for consumers.
posted by meowzilla at 5:22 PM on June 29, 2023 [21 favorites]
Oh a friend uses the Sip Mask and really likes it. It helps her maintain hydration (which is medically important for her) and the seal is apparently just as good. I got to see it in action a couple weeks ago and it looks very useful
posted by restless_nomad at 5:45 PM on June 29, 2023
posted by restless_nomad at 5:45 PM on June 29, 2023
Best answer: I tried the Sip mask and although I feel self-conscious about it, the people I've met up with have usually thought it was cool that it exists and want me to send them the link. Lotta people on Twitter claim it doesn't hurt their results on a fit test.
If you have kids and especially if you live in Australia, Trident seems to have recently made available these Aura-like masks in S and XS. There was a link going around Twitter or FB that allowed me to ship them to the US. The downside is that they have that chemical / glue smell that Auras tend to also have, which my kids are more sensitive to than me. That said, we may use them with a Sip valve for an upcoming trip.
Let's see. My favorite elastomeric, both for me and for a kid in the early elementary range, Breathe 99 had gone basically out of business and wasn't selling filters but has since been acquired by Armbrust so those are available again. So it isn't "new" but it's "newly back" and in my opinion never got quite the attention it deserved.
Are you sure you put on the Redimask right? I had pretty good luck with it when I tried it on.
posted by slidell at 7:42 PM on June 29, 2023
If you have kids and especially if you live in Australia, Trident seems to have recently made available these Aura-like masks in S and XS. There was a link going around Twitter or FB that allowed me to ship them to the US. The downside is that they have that chemical / glue smell that Auras tend to also have, which my kids are more sensitive to than me. That said, we may use them with a Sip valve for an upcoming trip.
Let's see. My favorite elastomeric, both for me and for a kid in the early elementary range, Breathe 99 had gone basically out of business and wasn't selling filters but has since been acquired by Armbrust so those are available again. So it isn't "new" but it's "newly back" and in my opinion never got quite the attention it deserved.
Are you sure you put on the Redimask right? I had pretty good luck with it when I tried it on.
posted by slidell at 7:42 PM on June 29, 2023
Best answer: The Resonance-95 singing mask "filters aerosols down to 0.2 microns with a 98-99% efficiency" according to the website. And you can sing wearing it.
https://www.mymusicfolders.com/product/resonance-95-mask/
posted by Arctostaphylos at 9:53 PM on June 29, 2023 [2 favorites]
https://www.mymusicfolders.com/product/resonance-95-mask/
posted by Arctostaphylos at 9:53 PM on June 29, 2023 [2 favorites]
Best answer: You might like to have a look at this youtube channel that reviews face masks for COVID protection.
Aaron Collins: Mask Testing and Review
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries at 10:59 PM on June 29, 2023 [1 favorite]
Aaron Collins: Mask Testing and Review
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries at 10:59 PM on June 29, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: A note about fit testing from people like Aaron Collins - that’s about how masks fit HIS face, not about how they’ll fit YOUR face. The only way to know is do your own fit testing.
Innovation in masks: OmniMask is clear and around a p100 level of filtration. It was developed with the US Navy for use in loud environments where being able to see someone’s face and having very little muffling is important. Mine comes tomorrow and I’ll be fit testing in the evening. Pretty hopeful that it will pass, and I’ll be checking both with their proprietary filters (in queue for NIOSH testing) and the adapter for 3M p100 filters. Feels like a relatively big step forward if it works out.
The hf800 series masks from 3M came out in 2021 (maybe 2022?) and have two great things about the design - a speaking diaphragm so that speech is pretty clear, and a button on the front of the mask you can press to check fit every time you wear it. I wear it in situations (like PT) where there’s a chance my mask will get knocked around a bit and I can quickly check to make sure I still have a good fit.
posted by Bottlecap at 11:10 PM on June 29, 2023
Innovation in masks: OmniMask is clear and around a p100 level of filtration. It was developed with the US Navy for use in loud environments where being able to see someone’s face and having very little muffling is important. Mine comes tomorrow and I’ll be fit testing in the evening. Pretty hopeful that it will pass, and I’ll be checking both with their proprietary filters (in queue for NIOSH testing) and the adapter for 3M p100 filters. Feels like a relatively big step forward if it works out.
The hf800 series masks from 3M came out in 2021 (maybe 2022?) and have two great things about the design - a speaking diaphragm so that speech is pretty clear, and a button on the front of the mask you can press to check fit every time you wear it. I wear it in situations (like PT) where there’s a chance my mask will get knocked around a bit and I can quickly check to make sure I still have a good fit.
posted by Bottlecap at 11:10 PM on June 29, 2023
Best answer: The posts above have covered the current situation pretty comprehensively. If you want a place to check in for new info periodically, this subreddit is a great resource.
Echoing slidell's point above re the Readimask: it might be worth giving it another try if fogging was the main thing you didn't like about it. I use it when I get my hair cut and (over the nose only) when I go to the dentist, and I've found that I get virtually no glasses fogging with it (although I do get some fogging with a fit-tested Aura).
posted by mydonkeybenjamin at 12:39 AM on June 30, 2023 [2 favorites]
Echoing slidell's point above re the Readimask: it might be worth giving it another try if fogging was the main thing you didn't like about it. I use it when I get my hair cut and (over the nose only) when I go to the dentist, and I've found that I get virtually no glasses fogging with it (although I do get some fogging with a fit-tested Aura).
posted by mydonkeybenjamin at 12:39 AM on June 30, 2023 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Bottlecap, I read a couple of months ago that the proprietary OmniMask filters don't filter out smaller particles. Though perhaps things have since changed if they're in queue for NIOSH testing?
posted by mydonkeybenjamin at 12:51 AM on June 30, 2023
posted by mydonkeybenjamin at 12:51 AM on June 30, 2023
I really like the fit of the Evolve Together masks, they’re more structured than other KN95 masks I’ve tried. This link might redirect to the French Revolve site but you should be able to change it to the US version at the top of the page.
posted by ellieBOA at 5:05 AM on June 30, 2023
posted by ellieBOA at 5:05 AM on June 30, 2023
Yes, I had a zoom call with the company for a large still coviding community with questions. I left feeling like I think the company is aboveboard and they have a date for likely NIOSH approval (the queue is extremely long). I will personally be using the adapter and 3M filters until they pass approval, although I will use one of their filters on the exhalation valve where it won’t impact my safety. They’ve made a lot of choices (that I don’t agree with) about paring down the information they make publicly available on their website, which they provided via pdf to me. Which again, I sort of think is a terrible choice because it makes it into a game of trusting a random source (me!) instead of putting it on the site. Their reasoning is that they don’t want to make private testing results available instead of the NIOSH ones and that they don’t want to reveal the source of their material. The people I know who have them have passed rigorous fit tests, which also made me willing to give it a try.
posted by Bottlecap at 5:27 AM on June 30, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by Bottlecap at 5:27 AM on June 30, 2023 [4 favorites]
Can’t speak to its efficacy for COVID (or anything else) but LG have come out with an air purifier mask. No idea how well it seals and it may or may not have the same issues as the Dyson air purifying headphones which I understand were around the mask blowing the wearers’ aerosols everywhere.
posted by t0astie at 11:18 PM on June 30, 2023
posted by t0astie at 11:18 PM on June 30, 2023
Update on the omnimask - it passes fit testing for me and has been useful in a few situations. It definitely muffles speech more than the SecureClick, which has the speaking diaphragm. I usually opt for the SecureClick because of this. I do use the 3M filters on the omnimask, and don’t intend to use their filters. It’s a solid mask that fits a wide range of faces, but if I were only buying one mask I would pick the SecureClick over it. The button to test the seal on the SecureClick makes getting the right fit every time you put on the mask super easy, and the clarity of speech really is top notch.
posted by Bottlecap at 10:13 AM on September 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Bottlecap at 10:13 AM on September 15, 2023 [1 favorite]
Addenda to the RediMask that can go in an MRI machine: I went to use one this morning, and despite bringing in an unused one to show the MRI tech, they made me take it off because they couldn't be "sure" that there wasn't metal in it. I told them it was designed specifically to be used in an MRI machine, but no go. They said if I'd brought in the original packaging they might allow it. I've now printed out the letter from the RediMask page for next time. Ugh.
I used a SIP valve on a 3m Aura last month, and it worked great. And people around me got covid when i did not, so ... it worked great.
posted by Dashy at 9:59 AM on December 8, 2023
I used a SIP valve on a 3m Aura last month, and it worked great. And people around me got covid when i did not, so ... it worked great.
posted by Dashy at 9:59 AM on December 8, 2023
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posted by kschang at 5:04 PM on June 29, 2023 [1 favorite]