Is there a way to verify that a KN95 is not a fake?

[LAS14]

My daughter got some of these for her 10 year old whose private school is attempting full on face to face (that's another story). She's heard that fake KN95s are out there. Is there any way to know?

Note that I'm asking about KN95 (Chinese version of N95). They are deemed to be as good as N95 but they are not overseen by the CDC (NIOSH). KN95 is much more available on the internet.

https://www.modishbuy.com/kids-face-masks/kn95-mask-for-kids.html#/2231-face_mask_size-s_1_4_years_old

tia
las

[hlthe2b]

1. NIOSH (part of CDC) certifies them and has a webpage on avoiding counterfit N95 masks

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/usernotices/counterfeitResp.html

[LAS14]

4. Wow! Thanks!!! nt

[LAS14]

5. Ah. But KN95 masks are NOT approved by the CDC because they're approved by the Chinese....

... agency or whatever that does that.

[hlthe2b]

7. If they are authorized to sell them as an N95 mask in this country then have to be NIOSH-certifed

This isn't CHina. It doesn't make a damned bit of difference what the Chinese do.

[LAS14]

8. They're NOT N95. They're Chinese. Same filtration. Used by the Chinese medical community. nt

[hlthe2b]

9. They are intended to be N95 equivalents. Please go to the source I gave you

[mucifer]

20. Another difference is that there is fit testing for N95 masks not KN95 masks

I wear a small some of my coworkers wear larger N95s. But, I bought some KN95s I know aren't as good for non work activities that are a bit more risky like voting.

[hlthe2b]

21. Exactly... And as a HCW myself still experiencing shortages (along with many colleagues)

this general public buy-up of N95 and their imported "equivalents" has me very uncomfortable. I try to give benefit-of-the-doubt since I've advised some high-risk individuals to try to obtain them, but that isn't a general recommendation.

[hlthe2b]

10. KN95 masks that FDA allows to be imported under a NIOSH equivalence designation

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0978/6226/files/APRIL_17_2020_CDC_Appendix_A-Imported-Non-NIOSH-approved-FFRs-Authorized-Respirators.pdf?v=1589374660

[CountAllVotes]

12. Enough of this boot licking

To hell w/China and the faux masks they are selling to the unwitting consumer!

SHAME ON THEM! SHAME!!!!

[hunter]

16. Some of these masks are sold honestly by Chinese distributors...

... to U.S. Americans who repackage or relabel them to sell as something they are not.

The U.S. ain't that special. There are con men on both sides of the Pacific.

We have one in the White House.

[CountAllVotes]

22. So we allow this to continue?

How many will die because of these counterfeit masks being sold to the unwitting consumer? HOW MANY? !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[LisaL]

14. I can tell you right now that the masks in the OP can't be NIOSH approved as NIOSH doesn't approve

masks for children.

[hlthe2b]

18. That is correct. I didn't see where she was discussing masks for children, but NIOSH does NOT

certify them. N95 masks were created and the regulatory process around it for HEALTH CARE WORKERS. And, as one, myself, I'm feeling really uncomfortable about shortages that I and my colleagues are experiencing with more and more members of the public trying to buy them.

I only read her subject line. I see now where she's trying to buy them for kids.

[cayugafalls]

2. Check out this page by the CDC, it has some good information.

You might find what you are looking for there.

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/usernotices/counterfeitResp.html

Hope it helps.

[CountAllVotes]

13. Excellent info. here

Thank you! !!

[kysrsoze]

3. A legit KN95 mask typically has straps that go around your head, rather than just around the ear.

It doesn't mean the "fake" KN95's are necessarily bad. They have the same filtration ability, but they don't seal as well around your cheeks and therefore let more air in on the side. They're still as effective as other masks that go around the ears.

3M N95 masks also have the straps that go around the entire head. But there are fake N95s that have the same strap. Still, these are generally good masks which will protect as well or better than a 3-layer cloth mask.

The problem is that it's next to impossible to actually find a legitimate N95 or KN95 these days as they're all being shipped to healthcare providers.

[LAS14]

6. Are you saying that there are no masks claiming to be KN95 but which don't have...

... that high filtration quality?

[LisaL]

15. That's definetely not true.

Some fake masks have low filtration efficiency.

[CountAllVotes]

11. Wow is right!

I bought some from newegg.com!

They are indeed fakes!

Good damn luck getting my money back!

FUCKERS!

We know who NOT to buy anything from don't we?



& recommend !!!!!

[cayugafalls]

17. These guys are expensive but they sell the real deal. Websites started by Medium.com.

I have not ordered from them, but they are mentioned in an article by medium.com, here;

The article above is their review of fakes.

This is their website.

https://kn95respiratormasksforsale.com/

It will ask you a couple of questions and then rec some facemasks. They are certified and verified and on the CDC list of approved masks according to their article.

[CountAllVotes]

23. Thank you!

I cannot tell you how much money I have wasted on the counterfeit masks!

What a way to make a sleazy buck!

DISGUSTING!!!!

[cayugafalls]

24. I am right there with you.

I spent a few bucks myself before getting what I wanted.

I ended up with a 4 layer cloth mask with a filter pocket. I bought some shop towels that were highly rated as good for making masks and use them as the filters for the cloth masks.

I also have some KN95 masks that were only approved by the GB2626-2006 Chinese spec with no other false claims being made (so I knew what I was getting and the company that sold them was reputable and the price was fair).

The chinese KN95's I have are backups, plus I have 5 old N95's from when I did some woodworking long ago and some surgical masks left over from when I took care of my mom who had cancer.

The junk masks I bought is just junk and will sit in the "pile of needless things that remind me of my impulse buying problem"

If you need anymore advice or just want to vent let me know. We are in this together.

[CountAllVotes]

25. Thanks!

Back at ya!

[LisaL]

19. NIOSH doesn't approve mask for kids.

That said, you can do some tests on the masks to see if they are any good.
Those are some simple tests you can do at home.
One of the home tests is to see if mask holds water. If you pour water into it, it shouldn't leak. Then you shouldn't be able to blow out a candle while wearing a mask. There is also sweet and low test.
https://www.ipromo.com/blog/is-your-kn95-face-mask-authentic-3-ways-you-can-test-for-counterfeits-at-home/

[LAS14]

27. Thanks so much! nt