Should I wear a PM2.5 or N95 mask for air pollution?

We all know that PM2.5 is harmful to our health and can cause cardiovascular diseases, but PM2.5 is always around us. When the air pollution is severe, what kind of mask should we wear to protect ourselves?

PM2.5 generally contains different types of aerosols, particulate matter, and oil mist, including both oily and non-oily particles. N95 stands for filtering non-oily particles (non-oil proof) with an efficiency of 95%. Therefore, if you are in an environment with oily fumes, such as the kitchen, or on the road with vehicles, food carts, or in precision processing environments, N95 masks are not suitable.

For environments with oily fumes/aerosols, it is recommended to choose masks with a P95 rating. P indicates protection against oil particles (oil-proof). Therefore, for PM2.5 protection, it is recommended to choose masks marked PM2.5 filter mask , or masks with P95, FFP2 ratings mask.