Up to 70% of KN95 masks imported from China don't meet filtration standards, study says

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

A shortage of N95 masks forced hospitals to find alternatives to protect health care workers tending COVID-19 patients. Queue the KN95 mask.

As its name advertises, the KN95 mask is meant to filter out 95% of aerosol particles. However, nonprofit patient safety organization ECRI issued a high-priority hazard alert against these masks after an analysis found that up to 70% of KN95s masks imported from China did not meet these filtration standards.

U.S. hospitals purchased hundreds of thousands of KN95 masks produced in China over the past six months.

“We’re finding that many aren’t safe and effective against the spread of COVID-19,” said Dr. Marcus Schabacker, ECRI’s president and chief executive office. “Using masks that don’t meet U.S. standards puts patients and front-line health care workers at risk of infections.”

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/up-to-70-of-kn95-masks-imported-from-china-don-t-meet-filtration-standards-study-says/ar-BB19j6La?li=BBnbcA1&ocid=DELLDHP

[LisaL]

1. Not surprised.

I am assuming they are better than cloth mask but they are not up to N95 standard. But if that's all you have, you can improve their seal by using "ear saver" which will make ear loops similar to straps.
Obviously health care professionals in hospitals should not wear them at all if they are not up to standards.

[Drahthaardogs]

2. I would agree

Better than a t shirt

[LisaL]

4. One issue with genuine N95 masks made for

general purpose is that I find them extremely difficult to breathe through if they don't have a valve. Valve improves their breath ability but now we are not supposed to wear masks with valves because they don't filter exhaled air.
But I can't actually sit all day at work in a genuine N95 mask because I can't breathe in it for long.
KN95s are actually easier to breathe through.

[catsudon]

3. and sadly

they are sneaking masks to Taiwan in order to get MIT stamped and export them as counrterfeit "made in tawan' masks.

[LisaL]

5. Amazon now sells Korean made KF94 masks, which should be somewhat similar to N95.

But who knows if they are actually made in Korea? Some could be Chinese fakes too?
Anyhow, I am assuming they are still better than cloth masks.

[frazzled]

6. We have some

Both the KN95 and KF94, which a Korean graduate student of my spouse sent. Some say Made in Korea on the package. The others are all in Korean and I haven’t held them up to the Google visual translator to see what they say.

We don’t have many, so we only open a pack when we think it’s necessary. Otherwise, cloth or surgical masks.