N95 face masks are a great choice for protecting your lungs from particles in the air, which could be metal fumes (such as those caused by welding), minerals, dust, or biological particles, such as viruses. You can wear one when there’s been a flu outbreak in your area, or if pollutants or a fire has made air quality poor. These masks are made of structured, lightweight foam and fit over your nose and mouth.  Specially-made versions are also available for people in industrial jobs, and surgical N95 face masks are available for those in health care professions. The number refers to the percentage of particles that the mask can filter out. The N95 mask filters out 95% of dust and particulates. N95 masks shouldn’t be used if oil aerosols are present, as oil damages the filter. The “N” actually stands for “Not resistant to oil.” Depending on the particular N95 mask you choose, available sizes range from extra small and small to medium and large. If possible, try on a couple of sizes before you purchase one. Make sure the mask feels snug and doesn’t slip on your face, remembering that you’ll also mold it to your face for an even tighter fit. If you’re not sure, go for a smaller size to make sure the mask won’t fall off. N95 face masks can make it more difficult to breathe, especially if you have a chronic cardiac or respiratory condition. Talk with your doctor to see what extra precautions you can take. You may be able to use a model with exhalation valves, which can ease breathing and lessen heat build-up in the mask, although these versions shouldn’t be used if you need to maintain a sterile environment, like an operating room. Talk to your doctor before using if you have any of the following conditions:  Breathing problems Emphysema Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Asthma Cardio-pulmonary Immune compromised medical condition problems You can get an N95 mask at hardware or home improvement stores and pharmacies. You can also purchase directly from online retailers, like 3M. It’s important to only choose masks that are certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). These masks will have the NIOSH logo and a certification approval number on the packaging or the mask.  If you need an N95 mask for your job, your employer will likely be required to provide it. Masks that aren’t NIOSH-certified may not provide good protection. Face masks tend to have large spikes in demand and sell out fast during certain times, such as during an outbreak of an infectious illness or when a region experiences intense pollution. Be prepared by having some on hand for you and each of your family members at all times. Aim to have 2-3 masks per family member to be on the safe side. Take your local environment into account when stocking up on masks. You’ll need more if you live in a big city with notable pollution problems, for example, than if you live in a more rural environment with cleaner air.
हवा में मौजूद पार्टिकल्स को फ़िल्टर करने वाले N-95 मास्क चुनें: बेस्ट फिटिंग के लिए अलग-अलग साइज़ आजमायें: अगर आपको रेस्पिरेटरी या कार्डियक परेशानी है तो डॉक्टर से चेक कराएं: किसी हार्डवेयर स्टोर से या ऑनलाइन NIOSH-सर्टिफाइड N95 मास्क खरीदें : अपने पास मास्क का स्टॉक रखें जिससे आपको जब भी इनकी जरूरत पड़े, आप तैयार रहें: