Romania, thanks very much for a ringing endorsement! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I will look into this issue about individually packaged 9210s and 9211s. So far I have only seen boxes of 10 for 9211s and boxes of 20 for 9210s. Within those boxes each mask is individually wrapped and has a lable "not for individual resale".

As it was pointed out before though, one does need to change those quite often, probably on daily basis when working in hazardous conditions.

Thanks
<img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

If you're buying just one mask, it isn't going to last very long, breathing being the issue that it is. Twenty 9210s are only $20. If you're in a position to need one, you'll probably need several. I'll bet they tend to clog up in a heavy dust or ash situation, what with the moisture of respiration.

Individual packaging would seem more important than individual sales.

Sue

A day of working in heavy dust is a stretch for any N95 mask. Like susan says, if you feel the need to have N95 masks buy a case of 20.

The filter also makes the mask bulkier.

I just bought a box of each from Redflare. A quick test suggests that the ones with filters are undoubtedly better in use. They are both surprisingly easy to breath through. Without a filter, much of the air you exhale stays in the mask and forms a nice warm layer on your face. When you inhale, you get some of the same air you just exhaled. It's not as bad as it may sound but the valve is definitely worth having.

However, it makes the mask roughly twice as bulky. In many situations that doesn't matter. For example, I can put either into a jacker inner pocket and not notice them. In a draw or my car boot there's no problem. In other places it does matter. I have a small waist pack which is already stuffed with gear, and the valveless mask fits easily when the other doesn't. My rucksack has a thin map pocket which takes several valveless masks but I wouldn't want to put a valve one in. I also have a couple secreted in the door compartments of my car.

Currently I reckon they are both pretty wonderful, and much better than masks which don't fold flat. I am more concerned about dust than microbes, although I think they will help by stopping me from touching my face with my hands. They should help against fallout, too; you don't want radioactive dust inside you.

I think it's worth getting lots. You can lend then to other people, cache them all over the place, and have some to experiment and play with. Although it may look obvious how to put them on, there are a couple of gotchas so you need to read the instructions and then practice. (Eg I hadn't realised the lower bit was supposed to go beneath your chin.)

i assume you mean a exhaust valve, with the term "filter".

The advantage of the exhaust valve, only become apparent after having a mask on for a longer period. When you'r sweating or during a high humidity, the mask with the valve are much more comfortable.

I personnaly have plenty of FFP-3 (european standaard, which is similair to N100) fold flat masks with valve's, for emergency's.

Has anyone tried the AOsafety Pleats Plus? Lot of surface area there...

N95 Masks Flying Off Shelves, but They Offer Scant Protection

Mercola on Bioterrorism

The masks we have at home (and I have in my truck and various kits) are called Isolation Masks. They are supposedly 99% effective at 0.1 micron. You can find them at Mercedes Medical, MD Depot.com They are packaged flat with pleats and when you put them on you can press them around the bridge of your nose for a tighter fit.