Topic: Fake N95 masks have flooded the market. Here’s how to tell the difference.
There’s one mask guideline that hasn’t changed throughout the pandemic — you definitely should be wearing one.
But what happens when you’re not sure if your mask is real?
Between the time the pandemic began and the year ended, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized over 14.6 million counterfeit face masks entering the US, the agency told CNN.
N95 masks are considered the gold standard for mask usage, but counterfeit doppelgängers may threaten Americans’ safety. Not meeting US safety standards means they may not filter out airborne particles effectively, the agency said.
N95 masks can also be mistaken with KN95 masks, which meet standards in China yet are not certified by the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
Here’s how you can spot a fake N95 mask.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health is a part of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that focuses on worker safety and health.
Before filtering facepiece respirators — a fancy term that includes N95 masks — can be used in any workplace, they must be certified by NIOSH.
For an N95 mask to get a NIOSH stamp of approval, it needs to filter at least 95% of airborne particles.
When finding out if an N95 mask is fake or not, NIOSH markings are your compass. But there’s some vetting you can do before you even have a mask in hand.
Topic Discussed: Fake N95 masks have flooded the market. Here’s how to tell the difference.
