CNN reports, “The Institute of Medicine said Thursday, in recommendations requested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, that loose paper masks are inadequate because the workers could still breathe in the virus.”

The article states an advisory board from the IOM recommends using N95 masks because they often provide a more reliable seal. With a Breathe Safely universal respirator seal your mask will be just as good as an N95 respirator. The seal will work on N95 respirators as well.

In the situation where a N95 respirator and surgical mask are both sealed they both provide enough filtration to stop the influenza virus, 0.3 micrometers and 0.3-0.5 micrometers respectively. The choice of mask or respirator is up to you. For either to work properly you should install a universal respirator seal.

Click here for the rest of the CNN article.