Can I still use an expired N95 mask?

All N95 masks have a shelf life from 3 to 5 years only. This is something you have to check from the manufacturer before purchasing your mask.

Let’s put it in this perspective, using an expired mask is like having a fake sense of being secured that might lead to a harmful outcome since you’re no longer armed with legit protection.

An expired mask can already have degraded factors and most likely it will no longer perform with its full potential. Over the period of time, the straps, filter, and nose foam had degraded its quality for a good fit and seal. It might also longer meet the certification guidelines set by NIOSH since it might change.

Other things that you can witness are that the foam strips inside an expired mask can crumble easily due to variable humidity, bonding agents and literally gravity that makes the separation of fibers occur randomly.

Nobody would want to breathe in the disintegrated particles and some get moldy when stored longer.

It’s no use in protecting yourself against hazardous viruses, germs, and airborne particles with an expired N95 mask.

Be always be well informed with all the nitty-gritty details that can really mean a lot especially in very critical issues on-hand that concern your safety.

For more information, please read our in depth article about the best N95 face mask for coronavirus.