If you’ve put your COVID face masks into retirement, it’s time to start wearing them again if you live in a large region of the United States that could potentially be affected by wildfires — especially in areas like Southern California where historic blazes are currently burning across Los Angeles.
The good news is that N95 masks can filter out 95% of smoke particles, according to California’s health department. The best thing to do is stay inside and limit your outdoor activities, but if you need to venture outdoors you can protect yourself with an N95 or a KN95 mask (only N95 masks are approved for healthcare use in the U.S., but KN95 masks have many of the same protective properties).
Below is a roundup of masks you can use to protect yourself or to donate to those currently being impacted.
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These 4-layer N95 masks were tested and certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health for filtering out at least 95% of airborne particles, according to the NIOSH database. The two inner layers are made with a melt-blown cloth for more effective small particle capture, like smoke, while the non-woven outer layer blocks larger particles like ash.
These USA-made N95 masks also made the NIOSH-approved list for effective particle filtering and a design that uses multiple layers for at least a 95% filtration rate. The active layer claims to be made from electrostatically charged melt-blown polypropylene, a composition that the maker claims is ultra-breathable. These are medium-small sized masks.
Made by the 3M company, these N95 respirator masks are NIOSH-approved to filter out at least 95% of certain particles like smoke and feature a curved low-profile design that conforms well to the face shape and reduces eyeglass fogging. These cloth-crafted masks also feature a three-panel design to accommodate a wide range of facial movements.
Powecom’s multi-filtration KN95 face masks (the Chinese equivalent of the U.S. N95 mask) come from Bona Fide Masks, the exclusive distributor of the brand’s face coverings in the U.S. and Canada, and have a filtration efficiency of equal to or greater than 95%. They are made with a melt-blown polypropylene cotton filter layer meant to help improve breathability.
During the height of the pandemic, celebrities including Hillary Duff and JLo were seen sporting some of MaskC’s lineup of colorful and fashionable looking masks. This pack of five-ply KN95s feature earthy shades like clay, rose and tan, which can easily blend with any outfit.