01
/ 05
Complete fit testing first.
Annual OSHA fit testing determines the correct model and size for each clinician. An untested respirator does not seal and offers no airborne protection.
Key Features
Built to the spec
clinicians trust.
01
NIOSH-Certified Filtration
N95 respirators filter ≥95% of 0.3-micron airborne particles. N99 meets ≥99%; N100 meets ≥99.97%.
02
Sealed-Face Design
Contoured cup, duckbill, or foldable construction creates an airtight seal against the face — unlike surgical masks, which do not seal.
03
Fit-Test Compatible
Standard sizes and models work with OSHA-required qualitative (saccharin, Bitrex) and quantitative (PortaCount) fit-test protocols.
04
Aerosol Pathogen Protection
Rated for TB, measles, varicella, COVID-19 aerosols, and other airborne pathogens where surgical masks are insufficient.
Clinical Use / Respirators
How clinicians
use this product.
NIOSH-approved respirators filter airborne particles and create a tight seal around the face for protection against aerosolized pathogens and hazardous particulates. Annual OSHA fit testing is required for clinical use.
Indications
Clinical use cases.
- Airborne precautions (TB, measles, varicella, COVID-19 aerosols)
- Aerosol-generating procedures (intubation, bronchoscopy, CPR)
- High-risk particulate environments (autopsy suite, pulmonary lab)
- Construction, renovation, or hazmat exposure (silica, asbestos)
- Pandemic and epidemic clinical response
Application Technique
Step by step.
02
/ 05
Hand hygiene before donning.
Clean hands thoroughly. Inspect the respirator for damage, deformation, or visible soil before use.
03
/ 05
Place over nose, mouth, chin.
Straps cross the crown and the nape of the neck (never looped on ears). Mold the nose bridge firmly to the bridge of the nose.
04
/ 05
User seal check.
Exhale sharply — air should not escape around the edges. Inhale — the respirator should collapse slightly inward. If it does not seal, reposition and re-check.
05
/ 05
Doff by the straps.
Remove the bottom strap first, then the top. Never touch the front (contaminated) surface. Discard single-use respirators; perform hand hygiene.
Contraindications & Cautions
When not to use.
- Respirators require annual OSHA fit testing — an unfit-tested respirator provides no airborne protection
- Facial hair along the seal surface breaks the seal; clean-shaven seal areas are required for filtering facepieces
- Damaged, deformed, or visibly soiled respirators must be discarded immediately
- Non-surgical respirators without fluid resistance are not appropriate when fluid exposure is expected — select a surgical N95
Typical Care Settings
Where it's used.
- Isolation Rooms (airborne precautions)
- Emergency Department
- Operating Rooms (aerosol-generating procedures)
- Pulmonary Function Labs
- Autopsy / Pathology Suites
Clinical use information is provided for reference only. Always follow facility protocols, manufacturer instructions for use (IFU), and evidence-based practice guidelines. Consult the treating clinician before use.
Regulatory & Quality
- FDA
- Class II (surgical N95) / NIOSH-certified particulate respirator
- Latex
- Latex-free
- Sterility
- Non-sterile
- Biocompatibility
- NIOSH-approved filtering facepiece respirator (42 CFR 84)
Standards & Certifications
- NIOSH 42 CFR 84 Approved
- FDA 510(k) (surgical N95 variants)
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134 Compliant
- Annual fit-testing required
How It Compares
3M vs. the alternatives.
A spec-by-spec comparison with the most common alternatives in the respirators category. Clinical interchangeability varies — always verify with your care team or facility protocol.
| Spec | This product MASK, RESPIRATOR-RUSBL INDUST LG HALF-FACE (24/CS) | 3M MASK, RESPIRATOR-RUSBL INDUST MED HALF-FACE (24/CS) | 3M 3M™ Versaflo™ Headcover with Integrated Head Suspension, Small / Medium, 1 Case of 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seal Style | Half-face | Half-face | — |
| Fluid-Resistant | No | No | No |
| Sizes Available | L | M | S, M |
| Surgical | No | No | No |
| Fit-Test Required | Yes (annual) | Yes (annual) | Yes (annual) |
Comparison is provided for reference only. Brand names and trademarks belong to their respective owners. Specific SKUs may differ from category averages shown above.
Pairs With
Complete the set.
Products commonly used alongside this one. Bundle them into a single order.
Op-D-Op
FACESHIELD KIT, W/1 VISOR 2SHLD TEAL
$60.48USD
O&M Halyard Inc
AERO BLUE Surgical Gown with Towel, Small, 1 Case of 34
$286.07USD
Aspen Surgical Products
Precept® Full Coverage Isolation Gown, Extra Large, 1 Bag of 10
$28.20USD
Splash Shield
Splash Shield Lite Face Shield with Frame, 1 Box of 40
$106.50USD
Silverts Adaptive LLC
Silverts® Shoulder Snap Patient Exam Gown, Small, Soft Tropical, 1 Each
$40.96USD
Silverts Adaptive LLC
Silverts® Shoulder Snap Patient Exam Gown, Medium, Soft Tropical, 1 Each
$40.96USD
About the Brand
3M.
Global innovation in medical science
3M Health Care combines material science with clinical insight to produce category-defining products across wound care, infection prevention, and respiratory protection.
FAQ / Respirators
Frequently asked.
Answers to the questions clinical buyers and care teams ask most about this product category.
What's the difference between an N95 respirator and a surgical mask?
An N95 creates an airtight seal around the face and filters ≥95% of airborne particles — required for airborne precautions. A surgical mask is loose-fitting and protects against splash and droplets, not aerosols. Use an N95 (or higher) for TB, measles, and COVID-19 aerosol-generating procedures.
Do I need fit testing before using an N95?
Yes. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134 requires annual fit testing for any respirator used in clinical work. Fit testing determines which model, size, and brand seals correctly against your face. An untested respirator offers no protection regardless of filter rating.
Are KN95s equivalent to N95s?
No. KN95 is the Chinese standard and is not NIOSH-certified. For US clinical use requiring airborne protection, only NIOSH-approved respirators (N95, N99, N100, and surgical-N95 variants) meet OSHA and CDC guidance. KN95s are not acceptable substitutes in clinical fit-test programs.
How many times can I reuse an N95?
N95s are labeled single-use. Extended use (same respirator worn continuously during a shift with the same patient cohort) may be permitted under facility protocols during supply shortages. Reuse beyond one patient encounter without decontamination is not recommended unless facility policy explicitly authorizes it.
Do beards affect N95 performance?
Yes. Facial hair along the seal surface breaks the seal and eliminates filtration protection — this is why fit testing requires a clean-shaven seal area. Clinicians who cannot be clean-shaven should use a Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR) instead.
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