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<\/a>Smells Type 1: Gases<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Many smells come from gases. Farts are a great example. Many farts are smelly because of hydrogen sulfide<\/a>. Hydrogen sulfide is a gas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Surgical and N95 masks don\u2019t capture gases. That means you\u2019ll still smell odors like farts, even if you are wearing a perfectly fitted N95 or even an N100 mask<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So what should you do if you want to avoid smelling odors that come from gases? If you want to capture gases, you need an activated carbon filter. Activated carbon works differently from N95 mask materials. Instead of a fabric mesh, activated carbon usually comes in pellets, like this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The fact that it comes in pellets means that it is hard to make carbon masks. Some companies put little bits of carbon in masks, like this Respro mask. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, researchers have found that just adding a little bit of carbon to a filter like that isn\u2019t very effective. For example, tests of carbon-impregnated car cabin air filters found that they can lose more than half of their effectiveness in just five minutes<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To get enough carbon to actually be effective, you\u2019ll need more carbon. One solution is to put canisters full of activated carbon on masks. That means wearing a scary-looking gas mask like this.<\/p>\n\n\n But not all smells are gases. Some smells are particles. If you\u2019ve ever poured cinnamon or pepper out of a jar and smelled it, you probably smelled particles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Testing companies use particles to test<\/a> whether masks fit right. For example, some healthcare workers like doctors have to fit test their N95 masks every year, and many use this method. They put on their N95 mask, and a tester sprays a bitter-smelling solution called \u201cBitrex<\/a>\u201d or a sweet-smelling solution called \u201csaccharin<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The tester sprays the solution near the doctor wearing the mask. If the doctor can smell the bitter or sweet smell, it means their mask isn\u2019t fitting well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nSmell Type 2: Particles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHospital Methods for N95 Mask Fit Test<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nMore Precise Test: Quantitative Fit Test <\/h3>\n\n\n\n