Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. OmniMask does an especially good job of accommodating eyewear and the high-performance seal at the nose keeps eyewear fog free. To prove the point, we put together a demo reel showing a wearer trying on a variety of eyewear. The person in the video is a schoolteacher and one of our testers.

The main body is primary composed of platinum-cured silicone and medical-grade polycarbonate.  Most of the accessories are a PC/ABS blend. All components are latex free.

After removing the straps and filters, hand wash with a mild dish soap.  To maximize the lifespan of the anti-fog coating, minimize touching of the interior of the clear face at the front of the mask.

OmniMask is designed and assembled in the USA. We initially also performed all manufacturing in the USA.  We now manufacture OmniMask and the majority of our products internationally due to limitations in the domestic supply chain.

To conduct a positive-pressure seal check, use the palm of your hand to block the exhale filter and then lightly exhale into your mask. You should feel the mask lift slightly on your face to indicate positive pressure and a good seal. If needed, you can adjust the positioning of the mask or tighten the straps to improve the seal.

To conduct a negative-pressure seal check, use the palms of your hands to block the two air inlets on the side of the mask. Gently inhale so the facepiece collapses slightly and hold your breath for 10 seconds. If probably positioned, the mask will deflate slightly to indicate no inward leakage of air and that it is sufficiently sealed for use.  Again, if needed you can adjust positioning and straps to improve the seal.

You can use the palms of your hands to perform the above.  We also offer pressure-seal check pads  designed for that purpose, which ship in pairs.

Yes. OmniMask is reusable and will last for years with basic care.

It's hard to give an exact estimate because every use case is different, but every component is designed to a much higher standard for comfort, quality, and longevity than is typical in the industry.

Yes. The sound output is much better than reusable N95 respirators, but not as good as surgical masks.  If you want to hear for yourself, our home page contains demostration videos of a schoolteacher speaking while wearing OmniMask.

There are ways to improve the sound too.  Some OmniMask wearers use our 3M adapter without a filter but with a valve at the chin as an ad hoc speech diaphragm.  This technique removes the source control but still provides breathing protection to the wearer.

OmniMask is available in a single size designed to support about 90% of the general population.

This is possible in extreme circumstances.  There are several technical reasons for this.

First, OmniMask incorporates an anti-fog coating on the clear lens that is generally considered the best in the industry.  Second, the airflows in OmniMask are much larger than most other masks (200% larger than 3M, for example) which increases airflow and helps reduce the build up of humidity.  Finally, we spent considerable time during ther prototyping process to achieve a high-performing nose fit to help keep eyewear fog free.

No. OmniMask seals to your face and the areas under the seal are protected from fluids and airborne particulates. Face shields do not seal to your face.

Current NIOSH regulations interpret the federal statute on breathing protection to prevent the review or approval of any mask that utilizes filters from other manufacturers.

This means that despite the fit, comfort, clear face, and filter interoperability offered by OmniMask, NIOSH will not consider it for testing and approval.

Several factors worth together.

First, the airflow pathways in OmniMask are very large—200% larger than 3M, for example.  Larger pathways make it easier for air to move in and out of the mask, which in turn reduces the amount of energy needed to breath.

Second, we use triple one-way valves to control that air flow so that incoming fresh air doesn't fight backpressure from humid exhaled air.

Third, we put the exhale port in the right position:  it's under the nose and mouth so that exhaled air leaves the mask by the shortest route possible instead of circulating around the interior.

To save on resources, all users manuals and guides are online: http://omnimask.com/use.

OmniMask stores in about 7x5x5" volume but, if needed, can temporarily compress down to the size of a baseball to fit in a large pocket.

A bare mask without filters weighs 3.9 ounces.  Adding disc-style filters from 3M, Honeywell, or our own E100 line adds approximately 1 ounce.

Yes. Although we incorporated 3D models of heads provided by the CDC into our design process, we also independently studied and test-fitted with a highly diverse group of faces and heads (age, gender, and ethnicity) to validate our designs.

Our E100 filter material is tested for three kinds of filtration efficiency:

• 99.50% particulate filtration efficiency with 0.1 micron particulates;
• 99.997% viral filtration efficiency per ASTM-F2101; and
• 99.999% bacterial filtration efficiency also per ASTM-F2101.

With our adapters, you can also utilize P100 and other specialty filters from 3M as well as Honeywell N95 filters.

Yes.  Our E100 filters utilize Technostat 150 Plus filter materials, which Nelson Labs independently tested for viral and bacterial filtration per ASTM-2101 in compliance with FDA Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) guidelines.

Our supplier also conducted additional in-house testing with NaCl 0.1 micron particles on the NIOSH-required TSI 8030 automated filter tester. A copy of the reports and results can be found here.

Yes. OmniMask filters both inhale and exhale.

Optionally, you can remove the exhale filter to improve speaking tone and volume slightly—or to extend filter supplies in an emergency.  You will remain protected because the exhale valve prevents air from entering your mask through this path.  However your own exhaled air is no longer filtered so use caution when around others.

The lifespan depends on the amount and conditions of use, but we generally designed the E100 filters to last as long as (or even longer than) a disposable N95.

What does "even longer than" mean?  It means that because OmniMask incorporates a one-way airflow, the inhale filters never clog up with humidity from the wearer's exhale—which in turn helps keep every breath you take cool, fresh, and dry.  Our one-way airflow also helps preserve the electrostatic charge of the inhale filters. In disposable N95 masks the electrostatic charge dissipates quickly due to moisture from the wearer's exhale.

Please replace the E100 filters with a fresh, clean set if they become soiled or damaged or breathing resistance increases significantly.

Unscrew the filter caps and swap the filter material. It takes less than two minutes for all three filters.

In addition to our own E100 line of filters, OmniMask supports a wide array of disc and cartridge particulate filters from 3M, Honeywell, MSA, and Moldex, including N95, N100, P100, and various other filtration capabilities.

You will need the appropriate adapters, but access to these brands and capabilities means that you will have access to the widest possible set of options in an emergency.

Replacement E100 filters are sold in 15/packs and are available for purchase through our site.  Just visit www.omnimask.com/filters.

Our E100 filters are optimized for better filtration efficiency and breathability over traditional N95 filters, but don't have the same load capacity.

If you are in an environment with especially concentrated particulates—or work in an industry otherwise regulated by NIOSH—then you should use a traditional N95.

Any 3M disc and catridge particulate filters, including the 2071, 2078, 2091, 2096, 2097, 2291, 2296, 2297, 60921, 7093B files. Most hardware stores and online retailers carry a collection of these filters.

OmniMask offers two different styles of adapters depending on the type of Honeywell filter that you want to use:

Our adapter for Honeywell filter pads enables you to use Honeywell part numbers 7506N95, 7506N99, 7504R95, and 7506R95 with your OmniMask.  These are large (80mm) and inexpensive filter pads in N95 and N99 protection levels.

We also offer adapters for Honeywell screw-on disc and cartridge filters.  This adapter supports Honeywell part numbers 7580P100, 75FFP100, 75FFP100NL, N75001L, RWS-54041, RWS-54042,RWS-54039, and RWS-54053.

Although larger, these pads, filters, and cartridges won't block your vision with OmniMask or the ability of others to see you—and are widely available from local hardware stores and online retailers.

Adapters can be cleaned either in a dishwasher or by handwashing with dish soap.

Note:  to preserve the anti-fog coating in the mask, we recommend that the OmniMask itself only be handwashed.

No. Although larger than our E100 filters, the disc- and cartridge-style filters from 3M and other brands do not affect the field of view—and also won't affect others ability to see you.

The Honeywell adapters come in a three pack:  two for inhale and one for exhale. Simply pull and stretch to remove the OmniMask E100 filter housings and replace them with the Honeywell adapters. Make sure when doing so that the exhale housing is located at the chin and the two inhale housings at the cheekbones.

This specific orientation is very important:  it brings air across the capillaries in the checks to help keep your skin cool and dry and also helps remove hot and humid exhaled air to help keep your mask fog free.

You can ensure you have the inhale and exhale housings in the right orientation by looking at the blue valves mounted in the filter housings:  the valves on the cheeks should be oriented towards the wearer to be in inhale mode and the valve at the chin should be oriented away from the wearer to be in exhale mode.

For cleaning purposes, the valves are removable, so after cleaning be sure to double check their orientation before wearing your OmniMask.

Like the Honeywell adapters, the 3M adapters come in a three pack but they are installed and used slightly differently. To install them, simply pull and stretch to remove the original E100 filter housings and replace them with the 3M adapters.

There is a specific orientation that is important.  The two inhale adapters with the blue valves should be placed by the cheekbones and the exhale adapter without a valve is placed at the chin.  The three bayonets (prongs) on all three adapters point away from the user are used to mate with 3M filters.

The blue valves can be removed when cleaning and are interchangeable when re-installing.  Just remember though that any 3M adapter with a blue valve is set to inhale mode and should only be used on cheeks.

Why? Because the vales help bring fresh air across the checks to help keep your skin cool and dry. Similarly, the exhale adapter at the chin also helps by removing hot and humid air from your mask by the shortest (and quickest) route possible.

Yes. We ship to a growing number of countries at discounted rates. If you don't find your destination listed at time of order, please contac our support team.

You can cancel for a full refund at any time before we ship by contacting us.

After we ship to you, you have a 30-day money-back guarantee for a product refund.  This is a no-questions-asked guarantee that OmniMask meets your expectations for fit, comfort, and performance.

This MBG refund is for the product cost and does not include the shipping.

We warrant that your OmniMask and its accessories will be free in all material respects of defects in materials and workmanship for thirty (30) days from the date of purchase.

Please inspect your order upon receipt. Contact us if any item is defective, damaged, or missing so that we can evaluate the issue and make it right.