At a time when the Omicron mutation is spreading rapidly the demand for masks such as N95, KN95 and KF94 has skyrocketed.
However, before buying them one should be very careful as there is a possibility of being deceived by tricksters. For this reason it is advisable to buy them from reputable manufacturers and retailers.
In fact, the New York Times presents 12 points that should be considered when buying protection masks:
1. The masks are available in sealed packages: Authentic masks are sealed in such a way that it is clear that they have been used before you. If, however, the masks are in a bag that is either taped or zipped up, then you should be particularly careful.
2. If there is no information about either the company or its location. There should be a reference to the place of manufacture on the packaging where the masks are contained. At the same time there should be a legal website or address. This is because if you encounter a problem or have questions you should contact the manufacturer.
3. Absence of an expiry date: Once the particle blocking pathway is "weakened" the expiration date should always be listed on the packaging.
According to Christina Baxter, CEO of Emergency Response TIPS, LLC, an emergency response training and consulting firm, it is very likely that the elastomeric materials in the belts as well as the components that hold them in place will be damaged.
4. Incorrect use of official terminology. A "bell" should ring when any packaging states that the mask has been approved by the FDA. Note that the N95 mask should be approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), not the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, an N95 surgical mask must be approved by the FDA.
However, neither NIOSH nor the FDA provide so-called certificates of approval. "so any certification letter enclosed is false," stresses ECRI president and CEO Marcus Sabaker in a statement.
In addition, it is common for the packaging to state that KN95 or KF94 masks are "FDA-registered" or "FDA-listed". However, this simply means that the manufacturer has filed documentation to notify the FDA of its existence and not that the masks have been tested or approved.
5. If the packaging mentions the words "genuine," "legal," "authentic" or "trusted," you should be skeptical, as the CDC says. If the manufacturer was trustworthy then they would not go to the trouble of claiming it is trustworthy and so on.
In the event that typographical or grammatical errors are found on the packaging, "this is an indication that it comes from a company that does not care about the quality of its product," 3M's vice president of safety says in a statement.
6. Beware if there is no company name or logo. Either the company name or logo should be on the mask.
7. Defective product. Masks should not have a crooked wire nose bridge, elastic that loses its elasticity or comes off easily. These items can affect their fit and were not present in trusted brands.
What to look out for in N95 masks
8. Pay particular attention to the absence of the NIOSH mark. The word NIOSH should be written in capital letters and should be easily recognizable
9. Absence of an approval number. The approval number is an alphanumeric identifier beginning with the letters "TC-84A" followed by four additional digits. If present, check it in the NIOSH Certified Equipment List.
10. Ear loops: Original N95 respirators secure with a pair of elastic bands at the back of the head. This usually creates a better fit compared to the ear loops found on the KN95 and KF94 masks.
11. Be marked for use by children. There are currently no child-sized N95 masks available. Only adult masks are subject to the NIOSH approval process. If there is a "Kids N95" designation, then we are dealing with a false manufacture. However, there are genuine KN95 and KF94 masks in child size.
What to look for in KN95 masks
12. Caution if the GB marking is not present. According to the KN95 standard, masks manufactured after 1 July 2021 are stamped GB2626-2019. This stamp is the confirmation that the mask was manufactured according to the current Chinese standards.
However, a mask that has a GB number and expires in 2006 manufactured according to the previous standard is still legal if the expiration date has not passed.
Source: protothema.gr
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs Cyprus Times
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or Cyprus Times
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