Verifying that the masks are authentic is necessary when buying masks and what they recommend the most is to do your own research, use reliable sources and suppliers, and check labels and prints.
Masks are one of the fundamental elements to combat coronavirus infections, and despite the fact that in March 2022 it will be two years since the start of the pandemic, These are still more relevant than ever. But how do you know that it is really authentic?
In this period, many types of masks have emerged, although the N95 is approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the United States (NIOSH, for its acronym in English), since they can filter up to 95% of the particles present in the air.
However, it is not the only one that is recommended, since the KN95 and KF94, They are also an excellent option, according to slogan The New York Times.
The three options already mentioned “are made with layers of high-quality filter material that trap, at least, between 94 to 95 percent of nearly all hazardous particles“.
And they added that “Under the microscope, these filters look like a dense forest of tangled fibers that trap even the hardest-to-trap particles that may be floating around and that slip through the fibers of the cloth masks ”.
Indications to know which are false
One study published by the “Centers for Disease Control and Prevention” details the analyzes and tests that were carried out on the different masks that exist on the market, although he also explained how to identify the authentic ones from the false ones.
As indicated by the N95, unlike the others, they have straps that adjust to the head, so if they find one of these masks and they get caught in the ears there is a high probability that they are false.
They should also have the letters stamped “NIOSH” as well as company name, model, lot number, and “TC approval” number, which are used to search for masks on a list of those that have been approved against the coronavirus.
On the other hand the KN95, they have printed a text that includes the manufacturer name and “GB2626-2019″.
This refers to the Chinese quality standard, but be careful in the last four digits, because if it says 2006, then it is expired, since these figures indicate its Date of Expiry.
Finally we have the KF94. KF stands for “Korean Filter” and 94 refers to the fact that it filters 94% of the particles.
These masks have strict regulations, thus reducing the risk of imitations occurring.
However, there are still plagiarisms, so the important thing is to know that this it has no writing anywhere, but it does on the packaging, where brings the name of the product, the manufacturer and distributor, in addition to saying “Made in Korea”.
At the same time, they highlight “that each mask must be individually packaged in a flat rectangular wrapper and glossy with a textured edge“.
And for children?
As for the masks for children, the KN95 and KF94 models have been manufactured, but not the N95, therefore if one of these will be found for the little ones, they would be false.
Therefore, to verify that the masks are authentic, what he recommends the most is to do your own research, use reliable sources and suppliers, and check the labels and prints.