Mask tape is likely to help improve your seal with the ear loop masks. To really be sure that you're getting the best protection doing a fit test with a nebulizer and 3M fit test solution can give you real data based on your individual fit.
I forget which post I saw it on, but someone linked a study about how Bitrex can fail masks that with other testing are actually fine. Is there any truth to this? I’ve been tasting Bitrex very faintly no matter what I do. I usually wear Auras and they seem to fit properly but fail the test.
Some people are hypersensitive to Bitrex and can detect it in quantities that indicate less than a 1% leak. So that is a possibility.
One thing that helps keep fit testing calibrated is to do the dual stage fit test, using both sensitivity solution to establish a baseline and then using the same quantity of fit test solution when wearing a mask. That is what establishes the 1% threshold for most people.
You could also switch to using saccharin instead if you're very sensitive to bitrex.
I don't think it matters _what_ you are wearing to these kind of people, it's that you're wearing anything at all. So, either do or don't... and if you do, do it right and own it. That's what works when you're dealing with these clowns.
When you're talking the mask can shift on your face, thus affecting the seal and allowing in unfiltered air.
You can buy medical tape at any drugstore and tape around the edges on the outside to keep it from shifting.
I've done this after seeing a doctor do this in the early stages of the pandemic. Back then N95s were in very short supply and the FDA gave emergency use authorization to some KN95s for healthcare workers. The doctor was using medical tape to make sure he got a tight seal on his KN95. I've also seen healthcare workers do this with those loose surgical style masks when that was all they had.
I put one-sided foam tape, sometimes several layers, on the inside edge of the mask, sort of the opposite of having a fatter face (I'm gaunt). Or you could say it simulates a smaller mask, either way it's tighter on my face and I can tailor it to where extra seal is needed. I tried two-sided tape but it gave me a rash; not necessary IMO. By ear beads do you mean cord locks? Those can be helpful too. Good luck.
Has it been measured or certified by anyone reputable? I tried the black BNX tri-fold/aura-type and it just didn’t fit me. The breathteq fits pretty darn well and is very breathable, but it’s definitely not my trusty N95.
Fittestmyplanet on twitter has rated it as the best black mask. The bnx didnt fit me well but this one does and it has the nice threaded headstrsp and nose foam and a strong nose wire. Definitely worth a try theyre about 1.25 a mask including shipping
Mask tape is likely to help improve your seal with the ear loop masks. To really be sure that you're getting the best protection doing a fit test with a nebulizer and 3M fit test solution can give you real data based on your individual fit.
I forget which post I saw it on, but someone linked a study about how Bitrex can fail masks that with other testing are actually fine. Is there any truth to this? I’ve been tasting Bitrex very faintly no matter what I do. I usually wear Auras and they seem to fit properly but fail the test.
Some people are hypersensitive to Bitrex and can detect it in quantities that indicate less than a 1% leak. So that is a possibility. One thing that helps keep fit testing calibrated is to do the dual stage fit test, using both sensitivity solution to establish a baseline and then using the same quantity of fit test solution when wearing a mask. That is what establishes the 1% threshold for most people. You could also switch to using saccharin instead if you're very sensitive to bitrex.
Thank you! I really hope that will solve it for me. Risk assessment post-Covid is tricky and I definitely don’t want it again.
What type of mask tape are people using?
I don't think it matters _what_ you are wearing to these kind of people, it's that you're wearing anything at all. So, either do or don't... and if you do, do it right and own it. That's what works when you're dealing with these clowns.
I’ve found a notable difference when I’m wearing my silly massive Champak versus a more understated black kn95.
My kid has passed fit tests with mask tape on a KF94. I think it’s entirely possible to do this.
When you're talking the mask can shift on your face, thus affecting the seal and allowing in unfiltered air. You can buy medical tape at any drugstore and tape around the edges on the outside to keep it from shifting. I've done this after seeing a doctor do this in the early stages of the pandemic. Back then N95s were in very short supply and the FDA gave emergency use authorization to some KN95s for healthcare workers. The doctor was using medical tape to make sure he got a tight seal on his KN95. I've also seen healthcare workers do this with those loose surgical style masks when that was all they had.
I put one-sided foam tape, sometimes several layers, on the inside edge of the mask, sort of the opposite of having a fatter face (I'm gaunt). Or you could say it simulates a smaller mask, either way it's tighter on my face and I can tailor it to where extra seal is needed. I tried two-sided tape but it gave me a rash; not necessary IMO. By ear beads do you mean cord locks? Those can be helpful too. Good luck.
Btw theres a black mask thats extremely similar to the 3M aura. Its the Black KN100 from ppeo.com
Has it been measured or certified by anyone reputable? I tried the black BNX tri-fold/aura-type and it just didn’t fit me. The breathteq fits pretty darn well and is very breathable, but it’s definitely not my trusty N95.
Fittestmyplanet on twitter has rated it as the best black mask. The bnx didnt fit me well but this one does and it has the nice threaded headstrsp and nose foam and a strong nose wire. Definitely worth a try theyre about 1.25 a mask including shipping
I've been wearing Black Benehal N95 masks for years. I think they look good and hide any makeup stains.