How to tell if your respirator and N95-style mask is counterfeit or poor quality (Marketplace)

[NurseJackie]

CBC Marketplace tested KN95 and KF94 masks sold online and at big box stores. Half of them didn’t offer the level of protection they’re supposed to, according to the lab test results.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/mask-filtration-standards-marketplace-1.5974442

[Midnight Writer]

1. It would be nice if they gave a list of brands and suppliers that had effective masks.

Or maybe a way to test the masks without taking them to a laboratory.

[BumRushDaShow]

3. CDC has a list from NIOSH for approved N95s

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/topics/respirators/disp_part/N95list1.html

FDA no longer authorizes KN95s and revoked the EUAs for them (I believe basically targeted at revoking them for medical use but could be used by the general public) - https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/letters-health-care-providers/update-fda-no-longer-authorizes-use-non-niosh-approved-or-decontaminated-disposable-respirators

[NurseJackie]

5. Thanks! Good info to have!

[BumRushDaShow]

6. I just bought some N95s last week

and made sure to check the list before I clicked "buy".

[LisaL]

12. The list is in the link.

NT

[TomSlick]

2. Thanks for the post.

I'm looking for N95 masks. I appreciate the advise on what to avoid. What I need now is what to buy and where. I understand the spam rules on DU but I'm at a loss here.

[BumRushDaShow]

4. This is the current NIOSH approved list of N95s (from CDC)

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/topics/respirators/disp_part/N95list1.html

NIOSH has a MOU with FDA to do this - https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/domestic-mous/mou-225-18-006

[TomSlick]

9. GREAT. Very helpful.

Long time no hear from. I seem to be spending too little time actually reading DU for information lately.

It was good to see your name.

[MichMan]

10. Doesn't mean that one on that list isn't a counterfeit

[BumRushDaShow]

11. Anything that you buy

whether in a store or online can be counterfeit.

I can buy me a Louis Vuitton bag off a table on the street and it looks like the real thing because it could have actually been made by any of their small European manufacturers, but was a "2nd" or had some other defect, and was sold wholesale for a fraction of the cost.

That NIOSH list at least separates the wheat from the chaff. CDC has a page on some of the counterfeits out there and how to look for ones that are - https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/usernotices/counterfeitResp.html

The also have another page that has further tips of how to spot fakes - https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/usernotices/AdditionalTips.html

[TomSlick]

13. I appreciate the problem. At some point, the best you can do is all you can do.

Nevertheless, you provided important information.

Thanks again.

[BumRushDaShow]

14. You are welcome

They do continually update the list and it is mind-numbing how many there are. But at least if you spot one somewhere that you are interested in possibly getting, you can always go to the list (which is done alphabetically) to see if it (i.e., the advertised model number being sold for a brand since not all models from the various brands are approved) is legit.

[rurallib]

7. Thanks for the eye opener

Was just going to purchase some masks. Now I will be informed before I buy.

[MustLoveBeagles]

8. Thank you for this thread

I was thinking of purchasing the KN95 masks. Bookmarking.

[Rhiannon12866]

15. K&R! Thanks for posting!

That one on the screenshot looks exactly like the ones I've been using since the beginning - and have passed on to family and friends. :fistump: