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Face Masks for
Your Family's Protection
"
During a pandemic ...we will see a collapse of the global economy as we know it which means that we're going to run out of those things ...things like medical supplies, drugs, masks, whatever."
-- Michael T. Osterholm, Director, Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, speaking on the Oprah Show, January 24/06
NIOSH Approved Repspirators
A respirator is a personal protective device that is worn on the face, covers at least the nose and mouth, and is used to reduce the wearer’s risk of inhaling hazardous airborne particles.
Particulate respirators are also known as “air-purifying respirators” because they protect by filtering particles out of the air as you breathe. These respirators protect only against particles—not gases or vapors. Since airborne biological agents such as bacteria or viruses are particles, they can be filtered by particulate respirators.
Recent CDC infection control guidance documents provide recommendations that health care workers protect themselves from diseases potentially spread through the air (such as SARS, Avian Influenza or Tuberculosis) by wearing a fit-tested respirator at least as protective as a NIOSH-approved N-95 respirator.
NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) uses very high standards to test and approve respirators for occupational uses. NIOSH-approved disposable respirators are marked with the manufacturer’s name, the part number (P/N), the protection provided by the filter (e.g., N-95), and “NIOSH.” This information is printed on the facepiece, exhalation valve cover, or head straps. If a disposable respirator does not have these markings, it has not been certified by NIOSH.
"In a pandemic, everything from syringes to hospital beds, respirators, masks and protective equipment would be in short supply"
President George W. Bush
Excerpt from Presidential television address 11/1/2005
Complete Text of President's Address
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Alpha Pro Tech N-95
Particulate Respirator
Here's a mask that's not only very comfortable, but it's also one of the most economical N95 Niosh approved masks that we've been able to find.
The Alpha Pro Tech N-95
Particulate Respirator, designed specifically for
use in a healthcare setting, is NIOSH-approved
as a Type N95 respirator and meets CDC
guidelines for TB exposure control.
It has been tested in accordance to Title 42 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 84 (42 CFR 84), which is tested at 0.3 micron size particles at 85 liters a minute. All N-95 respirators must pass this
test with no more than 5% penetration.
It has also been tested by Latex Particle Challenge at 0.1
micron size particle and has shown a
filtration efficiency of greater than 99.98% at 0.1 micron.
One-Size-Fits-All
To help you reduce costs and inventory, the
N-95 Respirator uses an exclusive Magic
Arch/Positive Facial Lock “one-size-fits-all”
design. This unique design feature permits
the respirator to be “custom fit” to virtually
any face, no matter what shape or size.
 This is the same respirator that the Australian
government purchased for all of their employees
and their families serving in S.E. Asia
Using a Face Mask VIDEO
Click HERE to view a video
that demonstrates the do's and dont's
of wearing face masks, with particular
focus on the Alpha Pro Tech N95.
The traditional pleated style N-95 offers all
this without the drawbacks of cone and
duckbill-style respirators which restrict downward
vision and collapse easily when stored.
Integral Magic Arch® — Provides a larger
breathing chamber with no restriction of
downward vision as duckbill or cone
masks do.
Positive Facial Lock® (PFL) — Allows total
facial closure for "custom fit" on any size
face when donned correctly.
Totally Latex Free —
Comfortable, knit
tricot mesh covered
bands contain no natural rubber latex,
eliminating latex allergy concerns.
Traditional Pleated Design —
Saves inventory space, cannot
be crushed when stored, as
duckbill and cone respirators
can, and is easy to carry
with you.
The most economical Niosh certified mask that we've been able to find.
Great for personal use or for trading.
Keep a supply handy for handing out to others.
Price Reduction
US$39.95 $29.95 for box of 35 masks
For a limited time you can provide your family with face masks at a substantial savings over the regular price. Don't wait though. Once the H5N1 virus hits North America prices will revert to their previous level, or even higher as demand will outstrip the supply.
Special
Case of 6 Boxes (210 masks) Just $149
Not sure which mask to buy?
Why not order the Sampler Variety Pack?
How many masks will you need?
This, of course, depends on where you live and how often you'll be coming into contact with others.
If you live in a high rise and share a common elevator, you'll certainly want to wear a mask every time you leave your apartment. If you live in suburbia you might only need to put on a mask when you go shopping. Do you work in a setting that brings you into regular contact with others? If so you might want to stock up on enough to provide you with 2 or 3 changes per day.
"The only thing harder than preparing for an emergency
is explaining why you didn't."
Masks as Currency!
Since commerce will be severely interrupted during a pandemic, bartering will become the accepted means of exchange. Having a good supply of face masks will give you a commodity that will enable you to trade with others.
Stocking up on face masks is one of the most important steps you can take to ensure the safety of your family. We urge you not to delay in making this decision. Demand for this product is too strong for us to be able to maintain this low price for very much longer.
"Don't let your first impressions of this mask fool you.
Inside of a box that's only 8"x3"x3.5" they have somehow managed to pack 35 NIOSH approved masks, all folded up as tightly as Kleenex.
Pull one out and you'd be hard pressed to guess that this is a face mask. It's a rectangle 8" long by 3" wide and maybe 1/8" thick. You could stuff a dozen of these in your purse or coat pocket and not even know they were there.
The magic occurs when you open it up. (The box comes with photo instructions) Suddenly you have a 3 dimensional shape that's light as a feather that you can place on your face, secured by two straps that go around the back of your head.
We were amazed at how well this mask fit. Many masks have a strip of malleable aluminum on the nosepiece, but this mask goes one further. Its strip extends around the whole perimeter of the mask, which makes it super easy to create a good, tight fit.
Breathing was probably the easiest of any masks that we have tried, and that includes ones equipped with a valve. There is a built in arc which provides ample space between your nose/mouth and the mask. This is a mask that one could wear comfortably for hours.
There is very little obstruction around the top of the nose, which allows for freedom of vision and would allow you to wear goggles.
There are lots of other N95 rated respirators out there. Expect to pay a lot more for them though. If you plan on going to work as usual and want a mask that you can wear all day, they might be a better choice. But any mask should be disposed of once you take it off, as its surface will now be contaminated with deadly pathogens. That might be hard to do when you're paying several dollars per mask.
At less than a dollar per mask, the Alpha Pro Tech N-95 is the best bargain around."
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If you've got deeper pockets and you want the ultimate in security, consider the Triosyn T-3000.
Triosyn T-3000™
The CDC recommends a N95 or better mask for anyone exposed to infectious disease; the Triosyn T-3000 is the ‘or better' mask. With its higher ‘P95’ designation, the Triosyn has more effective filtration with neither the aerosol-use nor time-use limitations of the N95. No respirator can completely eliminate risk, but the T-3000 will effectively reduce exposure to airborne biological contaminants.
All of which is to say that while there are no guarantees, you should do everything you can. And what you can do is play it safe with the T-3000™. Here are some of the key features and benefits: NIOSH approved P95 Particulate Respirator
Antimicrobial product protection
Consistent and reliableTriosyn boosts production of anti-microbial face masks
Aces tests. Interest in product growing, especially in the U.S.
MARY LAMEY
The Gazette
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Mirabel-based Triosyn Corp. is ramping up production of its patented T-3000 and T-5000 anti-microbial face masks amid rising global concerns about tuberculosis, SARs, avian flu and the threat of bioterror.
In clinical trials,Triosyn's face mask has proven to be more effective against airborne diseases than the masks currently recommended by the World Health Organization against SARS and avian flu, among other illnesses. Called N-95 masks, they are considered sufficient to block 95 per cent of particles 0.3 microns in size or larger.
Triosyn's product, a fitted mask with a polymer lining treated with an iodine-based compound, is one hundred to one thousand times more effective in trapping and killing harmful micro-organisms and is effective longer than the competition, according to tests conducted by France's Pasteur Institute, the U.S. Air Force Research Labs and Health Canada, among others.
That efficiency has caught the attention of authorities in the U.S., where Triosyn operates a manufacturing plant in Williston, Vt.
It also has factories in India and Thailand.
...read rest of article HERE. |
Carbon layer for relief against nuisance levels of organic vapors
Fluid-resistant outer layer
Secure, comfortable fit w/padding, adjustable nose bridge, low breathing resistance
Flatfold design for easy storage
At extremely high levels of bacteria and viruses, will perform for a full 8 hours
4 year effective life in the sealed pouch; 8 hrs out of the pouchNOTE: Sold in a box of 10 T-3000 respirators in individually sealed foil pouches. (Color may vary, blue or grey.) Caution: This product contains iodine and should not be used by anyone allergic or sensitive to iodine, or by anyone pregnant or with a thyroid condition. All instructions for the use and limitations of the Triosyn T-3000™ Respirator should be carefully read and understood by the wearer prior to use.
Due to government regulations, this product may not
be returned. Ships only to a US address.
US$79.45 - Box of 10
Now Available - Triosyn T-5000 Respirator
Triosyn T-5000™
With exhaust valve
Approved by NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, part of the Center for Disease Control) as a P95 mask, the Triosyn T-5000™ has the scientifically proven ability throughout its effective life to trap biological agents with the exclusive anti-microbial action of Triosyn T50® powder (registered with the EPA).
It’s ‘P-95’ designation means that its more effective filtration has neither the aerosol-use nor the time-use limitations of the N95. And that it is at least 95% effective or better.
No respirator can completely eliminate risk, but the T-5000 with its own one-way exhalation valve (valve is closed when inhaling) will effectively reduce exposure to airborne
The following study, conducted by the Center for Disease Prevention and Control (Beijing, China) analyzed the protective value of wearing facemasks during the SARS crisis.
"Most cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) have occurred in close contacts of SARS patients. However, in Beijing, a large proportion of SARS cases occurred in persons without such contact. We conducted a case-control study in Beijing that compared exposures of 94 unlinked, probable SARS patients with those of 281 community-based controls matched for age group and sex. Case-patients were more likely than controls to have chronic medical conditions or to have visited fever clinics (clinics at which possible SARS patients were separated from other patients), eaten outside the home, or taken taxis frequently. The use of masks was strongly protective. Among 31 case-patients for whom convalescent-phase (>21 days) sera were available, 26% had immunoglobulin G to SARS-associated coronavirus. Our finding that clinical SARS was associated with visits to fever clinics supports Beijing’s strategy of closing clinics with poor infection-control measures. Our finding that mask use lowered the risk for disease supports the community’s use of this strategy."
"We also used this investigation to quantify the impact of behaviors (i.e., mask wearing, handwashing) that were promoted to reduce the risk for SARS. Wearing masks outside the home in a reference period corresponding to the 2 weeks before symptom onset for cases was significantly protective against clinical SARS. Supporting the validity of this finding, there was a dose-response effect: by multivariable analysis, persons who always wore masks had a 70% lower risk of being diagnosed with clinical SARS compared with those who never wore masks, and persons with intermittent mask use had a 60% lower risk."
You can view the full report by going HERE.
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NIOSH approved P95 Particulate Respirator
Secure, comfortable fit with full-face foam seal
Easy-breathe exhalation valve increases comfort, permits air to escape and allows the wearer to remain cool and comfortable
Antimicrobial product protection
Consistent and reliable performance
Carbon layer for relief against nuisance levels of organic vapor
Fluid-resistant outer layer
Secure, comfortable fit w/padding, adjustable nose bridge, low breathing resistance
At extremely high levels of bacteria and viruses, will perform for a full 8 hours
4 year effective life in the sealed pouch; 8 hrs out of the pouch
NOTE: Sold in lots of 10 T-5000 respirators, each in individually sealed foil pouches. Due to government regulations, this product may not be returned. Ships only to a US address.
Caution: This product contains iodine and should not be used by anyone allergic or sensitive to iodine, or by anyone pregnant or with a thyroid condition. All use instructions and limitations for the Triosyn T-5000™ Respirator should be carefully read and understood by the wearer prior to use.
US $97.95 - Box of 10
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With so many choices in facemasks it's hard to know which kind, and how many to order.
We've looked at dozens of different types and have settled on the Alpha Pro Techs and the Triosyns for the following reasons:
The Alpha Pro Tech gives a great face seal on virtually any face (except maybe infants), it's light and compact making it easy to carry lots of them, it's very inexpensive and would be great for handing out to friends, visitors, customers, or for trading. We'll be wearing this mask when we go places where the risk of infection is relatively low, going shopping for example.
The Triosyn would be our mask of choice for when we absolutely have to go into an area where we know the risk of infection is high, for example, the doctor's office or the hospital. Because it costs more, we probably won't be giving any away.
Whether or not to buy the valved version is more or less a matter of personal choice. Both versions give you the same level of protection, however the valve makes breathing out somewhat easier and removes heat and moisture buildup inside the mask. To make the decision easier for you, we are offering a sample pack which will allow you to try all three without spending a lot of money (see below)
Whichever mask you choose, we urge you not to procrastinate. If a pandemic hits they will be prohibitively expensive or simply not available at any price.
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sampler
Respirators should be used in the context of a complete respiratory protection program as required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). This includes training, fit-testing, and fit-checking to ensure appropriate respirator selection and use. To be effective, respirators must provide a proper sealing surface on the wearer's face. Detailed information on a respiratory protection program is provided at this OSHA web page.
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