What type of mask is specifically worn to protect against airborne microorganisms?

The N95 respirator mask is specifically designed to filter out airborne microorganisms, including bacteria and viruses, with a minimum filtration efficiency of 95%. This mask fits tightly to the face and has a specialized filter that can trap small particles as well as larger respiratory droplets, making it effective in environments where exposure to airborne pathogens is a concern, such as in healthcare settings during outbreaks of infectious diseases.

In contrast, a standard surgical mask primarily protects the wearer from large particles and helps prevent the transmission of fluids, but it does not provide the same level of filtration for smaller airborne particles. Similarly, cloth masks may offer some basic barrier protection, but their filtration capabilities can vary widely and are generally not sufficient to protect against fine aerosols that may carry infectious agents. Procedure masks are designed for specific medical tasks, providing some barrier protection, but like surgical masks, they do not offer the same level of protection against airborne microorganisms as N95 respirators.