Cloth masks are not as effective against the rapidly spreading Omicron variant of COVID-19. So health officials are pressuring people to wear N95 or KN95 masks.
However, you should know that fake KN95 masks exist. The CDC said 60 percent of masks labeled KN95 are counterfeit.
KN95 face mask: tips to recognize between an original and a copy
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), which tests different face masks to issue their approval or not, put out a list of tips for identifying copies:
Your KN95 is fake if:
- It does not have any kind of marks on the respirator (there should be some small dots that serve as filters).
- They do not have an approval number anywhere on the mask or elastic band.
- The packaging does not have the GB26262006 Standard and the brand name printed on it.
- It contains a certificate of the Standard, but it does not have it printed on face masks.
- It is not accompanied by a certificate of effectiveness printed on the package or on a sheet inside it.
- It has decorative fabric or other additions, such as sequins.
- If it has the acronym FDA printed, because the KN95 have no link with that organization.
Your KN95 is original if:
It has marks on the respirator as stitches
It has the GB2626-2006 Standard printed on the mask or on the elastic band.
Its box indicates the Standard and also has a name, model, batch, production date and expiration date.
Contains certification on its packaging and card in Chinese with data such as name, model, batch, production date and expiration date.
If my KN95 is fake, should I no longer use it?
Most of the KN95 masks on the market are imitations. If you can, buy the originals. But if you are not in a position to acquire new mouths, use them. Something is always better than nothing.
But check that it has several layers, if it does not, you can add them, for example, using double face masks. Either with a surgical or cloth one (always use them on top of the KN95 to help fixation). Check that they have no defects and fit your face.
You can also subject the KN95 face mask to a simple test to find out if it protects you:
Do your glasses fog up?
When you breathe, does it “inflate and deflate”?
If you put a lighter in front of it, can you put it out?
If you answer yes to any of these questions, your mask is not sealing properly and should be reinforced.
There is another home experiment to see if the material and heat sealing is efficient:
- Take her by the elastics
- pour water inside
- If the water leaks, you have a poor level of protection
By the way, after doing this experiment the mask is unusable, but it works to know its efficiency when you have a package or a box.
Throw it away if it’s torn, dirty, wet, loose; alternate it for days; do not wash, spray or disinfect it and wash your hands before and after handling it.
Is there a list of fake KN95s?
Yes, NIOSH released the following list of unapproved masks:
AAB (China) CO.
Changzhou Wedeam Medical Device Co.
Chingqing China Nano Technology Co.
Chuzhou Qiao Dong Industrial Co.
Creative Concepts Manufacturing
CTT Co.
Daddybaby Co.
DongGuan HuaGang Communication Technology Co.
Dongguan Xianda Medical Equipment
Foshan Nanhai Weijian Sangbang Protective Equipment Technology Co.
Fujian Pageone Garment Co.
Fujian Yongtai Sanlian Garment Co.
Guangdong Fei Fan MStar Technology
Guangdong Golden Leaves Technology Development Co.
Guangdong Kaper Protection Technology Co.,Ltd
Guangdong Nuokang Medical Technology Co.
Guangdong ZhiZhen Biological Medicine Co.
Guangzhou Aiyinmei Co.
Guangzhou Nan Qi Xing Nonwoven Co.
Guizhou Bocai Medical Device Co.
Huizhou Jiahe Cubic Technology Co.
Jiangxi Hornet Industrial Co.
Jiangxi Yifengyuan Biological Engineering Co.
Jinhua Jiadaifu Medical Supplies Co.
Juntech (Jiaxing) Healthcare Materials Co.
Panzhihua Gangcheng Group Yasheng Industrial Co.
Shandong Huishoutang Pharmaceutical Co.
Shauguan Taijie Protection Technology Co.
Tianjin Benmo Medical Equipment Co., Ltd.
Yiwu Yifan Knitting Co.
Zhejiang Baiyi Intelligent Garment Co.
Zhejiang Shengtai Baby Products Co.
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