N95 Vflex Surgical Mask & Particulate Respirator 1804S (Bx/50) 3M Oral Care

FAQs

• Why should I change from the 1805/1805S to the new 1804/1804S VFlex respirator?

  The 3M™ VFlex™ Health Care Particulate Respirator and Surgical Mask 1805/1805S (small) products are being discontinued in 2018 and will no longer be available from 3M. The suggested replacement product is the new 3M™ VFlex™ Health Care Particulate Respirator and Surgical Mask 1804/1804S (small). Therefore, 3m recommend you start transitioning to the new 1804/1804S as soon as possible.

• What are the main differences between 3M™ VFlex™ Health Care Particulate Respirator and Surgical Mask 1805/1805S and the 3M™ VFlex™ Health Care Particulate Respirator and Surgical Mask 1804/ 1804S?

  The current 1805/1805S and new 1804/1804S are identical in all aspects of design, construction, materials and N95 filter media, except for:

  1. Fluid Resistance: The 1804/1804S was cleared by the FDA to meet the ASTM F1862 Standard for fluid resistance at 80 mmHg, whereas 1805/1805S was cleared to meet the same standard at 120 mmHg. The change in fluid resistance does not change the respirator's FDA clearance to be used as a surgical N95. 3M now offers a line of healthcare respirators (1804/1804S, 1860/1860S, 1870+) with a variety of ASTM levels for fluid resistance. 2. Shelf life: 1804/1804S have a 5-year shelf life from the date of manufacture when stored according to manufacturer's recommendations; 1805/1805S packaging is not labeled with a shelf life.

• I already have purchased inventory of the 3M™ VFlex™ Health Care Particulate Respirator and Surgical Mask 1805/1805S. How long will that product last?

  Although 3M does not label the 1805/1805S with a shelf life, 3M recommends using the product within five years to ensure robustness. 3M would expect that these products would be usable up to 5 years from the date of manufacture based on many years of experience with similar products, designs, and materials. In any event, facilities need to operate a properly functioning respiratory protection program, and users must always read and follow all user instructions, including inspecting the product before use and preforming a user seal check prior to entering a contaminated environment.

• Do I need to be re-fit tested for the 1804/1804S VFlex respirator if I have already been fit tested for the 1805/1805S respirator?

  Yes. The current 1805/1805S and new 1804/1804S are identical in all aspects of design, construction, materials and N95 filter media; for this reason, it is expecting the fit to be similar between the products. However, the OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.134(f) (2) states: 3M recommends fit testing in accordance with applicable OSHA standards and in keeping with good industrial hygiene practice. Therefore, 3M recommends that the replacement respirators be phased in during your scheduled annual fit-testing sessions, if not sooner

• Is the new 1804/1804S VFlex respirator N95 NIOSH approved?

  Yes, both respirators are NIOSH-approved N95 filtering facepiece respirators. The NIOSH approval TC numbers are TC-84A7789 (1804) and TC-84A-7790 (1804S).

• How long can I continue to purchase the current 3M™ VFlex™ Health Care Particulate Respirator and Surgical Mask 1805 /1805S from 3M?

  3m anticipate the 1805/1805S respirator will be available until around the end of 2018. 3m suggest you switch over to the 1804/1804S VFlex respirators at your earliest convenience, either at your next scheduled fit testing session or sooner.

• When will the new 1804/1804S VFlex respirator be available?

  These respirators have been available for sale beginning in April of 2018.

• If my distributor does not carry the 1804/1804S respirator