The Majority of Healthcare Workers Are Women — So Why Were N95 Masks Originally Designed For Men?

The pandemic challenged the U.S. healthcare system in more than a few ways, from crowded hospitals to a shortage in personal protective equipment (PPE). The N95 masks that were available weren’t perfect either. They were designed to fit a man’s face, but more than 70% of the healthcare workforce is women. 

A 2021 U.S. study found that women fail at higher rates than men when it comes to N95 fit testing. This is a serious problem, because N95 respirators and other masks need to fit tightly in order to be effective against bacteria and viruses. This means that current respirators are more often not compatible with the majority of our healthcare system, and that’s why Teal Bio is making a respirator that works for all genders.

But first, to understand why the N95 mask was originally designed for men, you have to look back at when it was invented and its original purpose. The first US government-approved disposable filtering facepiece respirator was jointly approved by the US Bureau of Mines and the US National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health in 1972 for protection against dust. It was mainly used by construction workers.

Photo by Kindel Media on Pexels

Later, in the 1990s, Peter Tsai, a former professor at the University of Tennessee, led a research team in creating an air-filtering material that attracts particles through electrostatically charged fibers. His original intent was to use the material in home air filters; however, in 1996, the CDC found that his material could attract and block viruses. Tsai’s material was then combined with the first approved medical mask design for doctors, nurses and more. That said, around that time, the majority of people working in the construction trade and in senior healthcare roles were men. 

Nevertheless, since 2000, women have driven 80% of overall growth in the healthcare field, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The system has changed, and it’s time our PPE changes, too. What’s more, overall employment in the healthcare workforce is projected to grow. That’s why our reusable Teal Bio Respirator was designed to fit all genders. Plus, it aims to improve upon older respirator models in comfort, conservation, and communication, without sacrificing safety. Our respirator has a comfortable clear silicone mask body, wide-set, partially biodegradable filters, and adjustable straps to customize fit. Here’s a little more about the problems we’re working to solve with existing disposable N95 respirators:

Gender-Inclusivity

Again, fit is important. Masks need to fit snug enough that they create a seal to stop all potentially dangerous particles from entering the nose or mouth. The Teal Bio Respirator has a soft, flexible, silicone body, and adjustable straps provide a custom fit for healthcare workers. We’ve also designed the shape of the mask around scans of real healthcare workers’ faces.

Comfort For Long Shifts

Photo by Vladimir Fedotov on Unsplash

While fit is important, so is comfort. After all, it’s possible that the respirator may be worn for hours on end. 

Fortunately, the Teal Bio Respirator’s silicone body doesn’t dig into the face and the adjustable straps let users tighten or loosen the mask.

Better Communication

Not only do we want a respirator that fits healthcare workers comfortably and safely, but we’re also aiming to improve communication between healthcare workers and patients. Traditional, disposable masks like the N95 often make it hard to hear what another person is saying clearly, and it disproportionately impacts people with hearing disabilities and low English proficiency (LEP). A study conducted by New York University found that discharged hospital patients who reported trouble communicating with their doctors were 32% more likely to be readmitted within the next 30 days.

That’s why the Teal Bio Respirator features a transparent facepiece, allowing people to read lips and see facial expressions. With this in mind, it’s also important to note poor communication may mediate the association between hearing loss and health outcomes. Adults with hearing loss have an increased risk of 30-day readmission, experience more inpatient stays, and are less satisfied with care.

Improved Sustainability

The Teal Bio Respirator face mask is reusable, so it has less impact on the environment — all while being more cost effective than traditional respirator models. 

The disposable Teal Bio Respirator filters are significantly smaller than traditional, disposable N95 respirators and are constructed from a specially sourced wool blend that is partially biodegradable. 

There’s a great need to improve PPE, especially for women, and this has never been more obvious than during the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthcare workers everywhere have — and continue to — endure long shifts in uncomfortable masks. Here at Teal Bio, we believe everyone deserves to feel safe at work, and proper-fitting PPE can help. From fit and comfort to safety and communication, all of this was taken into account when designing the Teal Bio Respirator. You can join the waitlist now.