COVID-19 Update - N95 masks

The College has received a number of suggestions about the correct use of N95 (and equivalent) masks. 

There are several models of these masks and proper fitting is essential to ensure a sufficient protective barrier during use. Masks also need to be refitted periodically (every two years) to ensure that the fit is still accurate. Some N95 boxes have wording that suggest ‘one size fits all’; this can be misleading.

There is a growing list of excellent resources on types of masks, use and fitting.

See this page, posted by the Government of Canada.

More information is available from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in the U.S.

Health Canada accepts the NIOSH certification as an appropriate quality standard for N95 masks used by health care providers. It also accepts that equivalent alternate standards are also acceptable. Public Health Ontario suggests it is reasonable to consider China KN95, AS/NZ P2, Korea 1st Class, and Japan DS FFRs as “equivalent” to US NIOSH N95 and European FFP2 respirators.

Visit our FAQ page for more information on fit testing and training.