What is a surgical mask?
Surgical masks, usually made of cloth or paper, are used to maintain hygiene in certain environments, such as in a sterile operating theatre.

Surgical masks are effective against large particles such as bacteria and bodily fluids, but are ineffective against fine particles like PM2.5 and dust. As such, surgical masks are not meant to protect us during haze periods since tiny airborne particles such as PM2.5 can easily bypass the filter material.

N95 mask vs. surgical mask: when to use what?
Since N95 masks and surgical masks serve different purposes, it is important for us to know which mask is effective in protecting us during a specific situation. The table below summarises the differences between N95 masks and surgical masks to give you a better idea of their function and intended use.