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Related: About this forumHow to tell if your respirator and N95-style mask is counterfeit or poor quality (Marketplace)
CBC Marketplace tested KN95 and KF94 masks sold online and at big box stores. Half of them didnt offer the level of protection theyre supposed to, according to the lab test results.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/mask-filtration-standards-marketplace-1.5974442
Midnight Writer
(21,751 posts)Or maybe a way to test the masks without taking them to a laboratory.
BumRushDaShow
(128,895 posts)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
(42,862 posts)BumRushDaShow
(128,895 posts)and made sure to check the list before I clicked "buy".
LisaL
(44,973 posts)NT
TomSlick
(11,097 posts)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
(128,895 posts)NIOSH has a MOU with FDA to do this - https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/domestic-mous/mou-225-18-006
TomSlick
(11,097 posts)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
(11,912 posts)BumRushDaShow
(128,895 posts)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
(11,097 posts)Nevertheless, you provided important information.
Thanks again.
BumRushDaShow
(128,895 posts)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
(62,406 posts)Was just going to purchase some masks. Now I will be informed before I buy.
MustLoveBeagles
(11,594 posts)I was thinking of purchasing the KN95 masks. Bookmarking.
Rhiannon12866
(205,237 posts)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: