Are two N95 masks enough for me this haze season?

From Oct 14, each eligible person could collect a pack of two N95 masks at community clubs as well as via vending machines.

ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG

Published Oct 17, 2026, 12:00 PM

Updated Oct 17, 2026, 12:00 PM

Singapore’s haze has worsened because of fires in Indonesia, dry weather and winds. PSI has been unhealthy or very unhealthy, and free N95 masks are being given to vulnerable people.

N95 and similar masks such as KN95, KF94 and FFP2 filter haze particles best. Surgical and reusable masks give only limited protection, especially during heavy haze.

N95 masks can be reused several times. Replace them when they are damp, dirty, damaged or no longer fit well. Children should use child-sized masks where possible.

SINGAPORE – When PSI levels in Singapore hit the unhealthy and very unhealthy levels in mid-October, the authorities started distributing free N95 masks for vulnerable people , such as the elderly, expectant mothers, younger children and people with medical conditions such as asthma.

From Oct 14, each eligible person could collect a pack of two N95 masks at community clubs as well as via vending machines at locations such as selected public transport hubs and social service offices.

But with the bad haze conditions possibly extending into early December – with PSI possibly exceeding 300 – how long can a pack of two N95 masks last?

Can these masks be reused, and when should they be replaced?

What are N95 masks, and how do they protect you against the haze?

An N95 mask is one that forms a tight seal around the face, and can filter out 95% of fine particles between 0.1 and 0.3 micrometres in size.

It is exposure to such particles that can cause irritation of the eyes, nose and throat in otherwise healthy people.

Continuous exposure to haze particles at unhealthy Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) levels – of 101 and above – over several days can affect the heart and lungs, especially in those with chronic heart or lung disease.

N95 masks also meets standards set by the United States’ National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

Are KN95 and KF94 masks the same as N95 masks?

KN95, FFP2 and KF94 masks are just as effective as N95 masks in reducing a person’s exposure to haze particles, the Ministry of Health (MOH) has noted.

The different names simply indicate their respective national standards.

KN95 indicates the mask meets standards in China, blocking at least 95% of airborne particles.

KF94 is a South Korean standard indicating the masks filter at least 94% of such particles , while FFP2 is a European standard similar to the N95.

N95 masks have sold out at my neighbourhood pharmacy. And I can’t find KN95 or KF94 masks either. Can I use a surgical mask or reusable face mask instead?

“N95 and equivalent masks are the most effective options for protection against haze because they are designed to filter fine particulate matter, including PM2.5, when properly fitted and worn,” said Tan Geak Poh, respiratory and critical care medicine senior consultant at Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

He noted that surgical face masks – which serve primarily to prevent the spread of infectious diseases – provide only limited protection against finer air pollution particles and generally do not provide sufficient protection during significant haze episodes.

Similarly , cloth or reusable masks have limited effectiveness against PM2.5 unless specifically designed and certified for particulate filtration.

In a 2016 advisory, MOH noted that while surgical masks are not effective in filtering haze particles, they can reduce some discomfort caused by the haze, by preventing larger irritant particles from entering the user’s nose and mouth.

What masks can younger children wear? The N95 masks are too big for them.

There are currently no international certification standards for the use of N95 masks in children, MOH noted in guidelines updated on Oct 15.

The Health Sciences Authority notes that children should not use adult-sized masks or respirators, which may not fit properly and thus may not provide adequate protection. They should instead use those specifically sized for children where possible.

MOH advised that children without heart or lung conditions can use the AIR+ Smart Mask, which comes in smaller sizes suitable for children aged seven and older, and includes a built-in valve for greater breathing comfort.

There are also KF94 and KN95 masks for children, available on e-commerce sites such as Amazon and Shopee as at Oct 16.

When should I use an N95 mask?

Vulnerable people – which include the elderly, pregnant women and those with chronic heart or lung disease – should wear a mask to reduce exposure when the PM2.5 reading exceeds 150, in the high and very high ranges.

“Individuals with underlying heart or lung conditions who experience discomfort, breathlessness, dizziness, or other symptoms while wearing N95 masks should seek medical advice,” TTH’s Tan said.

Under MOH guidelines, for healthy individuals, N95 or equivalent masks are not necessary when the hourly PM2.5 reading is under 250 and they are going outdoors for short periods , such as when commuting from home to school or work.

The ministry also notes that masks are not required in an indoor environment.

In situations where outdoor exposure cannot be avoided – in particular when you are outside for extended periods or when performing strenuous activities that increase breathing or heart rate – N95 masks or their equivalents are recommended, said Tan.

“There is no specific duration that defines ‘extended’ exposure, as health risks depends on the level of air pollution, intensity of physical activity and individual’s health status,” he said.

“In general, the longer the exposure, the greater the potential health impact.”

But the use of such masks is recommended for healthy people when the hourly PM2.5 reading exceeds 250, entering the very high range.

Can N95 masks be reused multiple times?

There is no need to replace N95 or equivalent masks every day when using them for protection against the haze, as they can be reused multiple times, said Tan.

“Instead, users should replace the mask when it becomes damp, dirty, damaged, contaminated, or can no longer maintain a good seal against the face,” he said, noting such issues are more likely after prolonged or repeated use.

Users should check the fit of the mask each time it is worn, examining the nose clip, foam padding and straps. Should these become worn or damaged, the mask should be replaced as they can result in gaps around the face, significantly reducing its protective effects, he said.

Tan added that masks should also be stored properly between uses, and should be kept in a clean, dry place and should not be shared with others.

Where can I get N95 masks?

N95 masks are available at pharmacies and online marketplaces, though some retailers have placed restrictions on how many each customer can buy amid rising demand .

Free packs of two masks can be collected from community clubs across the islandwide for members of the Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation, as well as CHAS Orange and Blue card holders, those holding Medical Fee Exemption cards and ComCare Assistance recipients.

Masks are available via vending machines at selected public transport hubs and social service offices.

Pregnant women, children aged seven to 16 years old and people with medical conditions such as asthma can collect masks at the CCs, but not at the vending machines, which require NRICs to verify eligibility.

To find out more about where they can collect free N95 masks, residents can visit the HazeMaskGoWhere website at https://www.gowhere.gov.sg/hazemask / .

Zhaki Abdullah is a correspondent at The Straits Times. He is on the health beat, in addition to occasionally covering science, environmental, tech and Muslim affairs issues.

从 10 月 14 日起，每个符合资格的人都可以在社区俱乐部或通过自动售货机领取一包两只装的 N95 口罩。

《海峡时报》照片：张马克

发布于2026年10月17日下午12:00

更新于2026年10月17日中午12:00

受印尼山火、干燥天气和大风的影响，新加坡的雾霾加剧。空气质量指数（PSI）已达到不健康或非常不健康水平，政府正在向弱势群体免费发放N95口罩。

N95口罩以及KN95、KF94和FFP2等类似口罩对雾霾颗粒的过滤效果最佳。医用外科口罩和可重复使用的口罩防护能力有限，尤其是在雾霾严重的情况下。

N95口罩可以重复使用多次。当口罩潮湿、脏污、破损或不再贴合面部时，应更换新口罩。儿童应尽可能使用儿童尺寸的口罩。

新加坡——10月中旬，新加坡的空气污染指数（PSI）达到不健康和非常不健康的水平时，当局开始向老年人、孕妇、幼儿和患有哮喘等疾病的弱势群体免费分发N95口罩。

从 10 月 14 日起，每位符合资格的人都可以在社区俱乐部领取一包两只装的 N95 口罩，也可以在指定的公共交通枢纽和社会服务办公室等地点的自动售货机领取。

但由于严重的雾霾天气可能会持续到 12 月初（PSI 可能超过 300），一包两只装的 N95 口罩能用多久？

这些口罩可以重复使用吗？什么时候应该更换？

什么是N95口罩？它们如何保护你免受雾霾侵害？

N95口罩能够紧密贴合面部，过滤掉95%的0.1至0.3微米大小的细颗粒物。

即使是健康的人，接触这类颗粒物也可能导致眼睛、鼻子和喉咙受到刺激。

连续几天暴露于污染物标准指数 (PSI) 为 101 及以上的不健康水平的雾霾颗粒物中，会对心脏和肺部造成影响，尤其是对那些患有慢性心脏病或肺病的人。

N95口罩也符合美国国家职业安全与健康研究所制定的标准。

KN95和KF94口罩与N95口罩一样吗？

卫生部指出，KN95、FFP2 和 KF94 口罩在减少人体接触雾霾颗粒方面与 N95 口罩一样有效。

不同的名称仅仅代表它们各自的国家标准。

KN95 表示该口罩符合中国标准，可阻挡至少 95% 的空气传播颗粒物。

KF94 是韩国的标准，表示口罩可以过滤掉至少 94% 的此类颗粒，而 FFP2 是类似于 N95 的欧洲标准。

我家附近的药店N95口罩都卖光了。KN95和KF94口罩也都买不到。请问我可以用医用外科口罩或可重复使用的口罩代替吗？

“N95口罩及同等规格的口罩是抵御雾霾最有效的选择，因为它们的设计目的是过滤细颗粒物，包括PM2.5，前提是佩戴得当，”陈笃生医院呼吸与重症监护医学高级顾问陈吉宝表示。

他指出，外科口罩（主要用于防止传染病传播）对较细的空气污染颗粒物只能提供有限的保护，并且在严重的雾霾天气中通常无法提供足够的保护。

同样，除非是专门设计并经过颗粒物过滤认证的布口罩或可重复使用的口罩，否则它们对 PM2.5 的防护效果有​​限。

2016 年，卫生部在一份咨询文件中指出，虽然外科口罩不能有效过滤雾霾颗粒，但可以通过阻止较大的刺激性颗粒进入佩戴者的鼻子和嘴巴，来减轻雾霾引起的一些不适。

年龄较小的孩子可以戴什么样的口罩？N95口罩对他们来说太大了。

卫生部在10月15日更新的指南中指出，目前尚无针对儿童使用N95口罩的国际认证标准。

卫生科学局指出，儿童不应使用成人尺寸的口罩或呼吸器，因为这些口罩或呼吸器可能不合适，因此无法提供足够的防护。儿童应尽可能使用专为儿童设计的口罩或呼吸器。

卫生部建议，没有心脏或肺部疾病的儿童可以使用 AIR+ 智能面罩，该面罩有适合 7 岁及以上儿童的较小尺寸，并配有内置阀门，可提高呼吸舒适度。

截至 10 月 16 日，亚马逊和 Shopee 等电商网站上也有 KF94 和 KN95 儿童口罩出售。

什么情况下应该使用N95口罩？

老年人、孕妇以及患有慢性心脏病或肺病的人等弱势群体，在 PM2.5 读数超过 150（处于高浓度和非常高浓度范围）时，应该佩戴口罩以减少暴露。

“患有心脏或肺部疾病的人，如果在佩戴 N95 口罩时出现不适、呼吸困难、头晕或其他症状，应寻求医疗建议。” TTH 的 Tan 表示。

根据卫生部的指导方针，对于健康人士而言，当每小时 PM2.5 读数低于 250 且外出时间较短时（例如从家到学校或工作地点通勤时），则无需佩戴 N95 或同等口罩。

该部门还指出，室内环境无需佩戴口罩。

谭医生表示，在无法避免户外活动的情况下——特别是长时间待在户外或进行会增加呼吸或心率的剧烈活动时——建议佩戴 N95 口罩或同等防护等级的口罩。

“没有具体的时长标准来定义‘长时间’暴露，因为健康风险取决于空气污染程度、身体活动的强度和个人的健康状况，”他说。

“一般来说，接触时间越长，对健康的潜在影响就越大。”

但当每小时 PM2.5 读数超过 250，进入极高范围时，建议健康人群使用此类口罩。

N95口罩可以多次重复使用吗？

谭表示，使用N95或同等口罩防护雾霾时，无需每天更换，因为它们可以多次重复使用。

“相反，当口罩潮湿、脏污、损坏、受到污染或无法再与面部保持良好密封时，用户应该更换口罩，”他说道，并指出此类问题在长时间或反复使用后更容易发生。

用户每次佩戴口罩前都应检查口罩的贴合度，包括鼻夹、泡沫衬垫和绑带。如果这些部件磨损或损坏，则应更换口罩，因为它们会导致口罩与面部之间出现缝隙，从而显著降低口罩的防护效果。

谭补充说，口罩在使用间隙也应该妥善存放，放在清洁干燥的地方，不应该与他人共用。

哪里可以买到N95口罩？

N95口罩在药店和网上商城均有售，但由于需求不断增长，一些零售商对每位顾客的购买数量进行了限制。

全岛各地的民众俱乐部向建国一代和独立一代的成员、CHAS橙卡和蓝卡持有者、医疗费用豁免卡持有者以及ComCare援助受益人免费发放两只装口罩。

口罩可通过指定公共交通枢纽和社会服务机构的自动售货机购买。

孕妇、7至16岁的儿童以及患有哮喘等疾病的人可以在民众俱乐部领取口罩，但不能在自动售货机领取，自动售货机需要出示身份证以验证资格。

如需了解哪里可以领取免费 N95 口罩，居民可以访问 HazeMaskGoWhere 网站：https://www.gowhere.gov.sg/hazemask / 。

扎基·阿卜杜拉是《海峡时报》的记者。他主要负责健康新闻报道，偶尔也报道科学、环境、科技和穆斯林事务等议题。