Table 1.

Comparison of the essential criteria of the mask and respirator properties.^9,10,27,28

TEST	N95 (1860/1860S, 3M)	N95 (1870, 3M)	ASTM∗ LEVEL 3 MFM† (GCFCXS, CROSSTEX)	ASTM LEVEL 2 MFM (GCPYE, CROSSTEX)
Bacterial Filtration Efficiency, %	> 99	> 99	≥ 98	≥ 98
Particulate Filtration Efficiency (≈ 0.1 μm Diameter), %	> 95‡	> 95‡	≥ 98§	≥ 98§
Breathability, mm H2O/cm2	< 6.5	4.9	< 6.0	< 6.0
Flame Spread	Class 1	Class 1	Class 1	Class 1
Fluid Resistance, mm Hg	120	160	160	120

^∗ASTM: American Society for Testing and Materials.

^†MFM: Medical face mask.

^‡The N95 respirator is evaluated with the standard respirator testing procedures of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

^§MFM is evaluated with the ASTM standard.