N95N99N100

N95N99N100 refers to a subset of filtering facepiece respirators classified by the United States National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The N-series includes N95, N99, and N100, indicating minimum filtration efficiencies of 95%, 99%, and 99.97% for non-oil aerosols. These ratings are tested against particles around 0.3 micrometers in size, known as the most penetrating particle size. The “N” designation means the respirator is not resistant to oil.

These respirators are designed to seal to the wearer’s face and filter inhaled air, reducing exposure to airborne particles. Filtration efficiency is only one aspect of protection; a proper fit and correct usage are essential for real-world effectiveness. N95, N99, and N100 are different levels of filtration within the same family, with higher numbers indicating greater filtration. They are distinct from oil-resistant categories (R and P) and are intended for non-oil aerosols, such as dust and certain smoke particles.

Some N-series products are also cleared as surgical respirators, such as the surgical N95, which meets additional FDA requirements for medical use in operating rooms or patient care. Non-surgical N95s are used in construction, mining, wildfire smoke mitigation, and other environments with non-oil aerosols. They do not protect against gases or vapors; for those hazards, respirators with appropriate gas/vapor cartridges are required. International standards exist (for example, EN 149’s FFP2/FFP3 classes), but direct equivalents to N95/N99/N100 are not always one-to-one.