Posted on 09/25/2020 10:16:03 AM PDT by Red Badger
During the pandemic, the FDA has granted emergency-use orders to allow millions of N95 and KN95 face masks to be imported from around the world to help combat a dire shortage of protective equipment in the US.
But, according to a report published online September 22, as many as 60-70 percent of those masks imported to the US from China may not meet America's minimum safety standards.
Researchers at ECRI, an independent nonprofit researching safety and cost-effectiveness in healthcare, tested nearly 200 KN95 masks from 15 different manufacturers.
They found that a significant majority filtered out fewer than 95 percent of particles, a standard the helps protect healthcare workers and first responders from possible coronavirus infection.
That could indicate that of the hundreds of thousands of masks imported from China during the pandemic, up to 70 percent may be less protective than advertised, the study said.
"We're finding that many aren't safe and effective against the spread of COVID-19," Dr. Marcus Schabacker, president and CEO of ECRI, said in a press release. "Using masks that don't meet US standards puts patients and frontline healthcare workers at risk of infection."
The study follows another that found that as many as 60 percent of imported N95 and KN95 style masks failed minimum safety requirements, according to testing by the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), which sets the standards.
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is aware of the issues with some imported masks, and have released a guide to spotting subpar products that may be misrepresented as meeting US standards. Faulty face coverings may still offer better protection than some cloth masks
Even sub-standard masks offer better protection than poorly-constructed DIY cloth masks or nothing at all, experts say.
However, a quality seal is crucial.
Masks that have head and neck straps provide more protection than those with ear loops, according to ECRI, since they create a tighter seal on the user's face. KN95 masks, which are designed to Chinese standards that different slightly from NIOSH's, often have ear loops.
For people who are treating or exposed to someone who has COVID-19, masks that aren't certified at 95 percent particle filtration should be used only as a last resort.
"KN95 masks that don't meet US regulatory standards still generally provide more respiratory protection than surgical or cloth masks and can be used in certain clinical settings," Michael Argentieri, vice president for technology and safety at ECRI, said in the press release.
"Hospitals and staff who treat suspected COVID-19 patients should be aware that imported masks may not meet current US regulatory standards despite marketing that says otherwise."
In some cases, US healthcare workers are managing the shortage of certified masks by reusing (sterilized) N95 respirators, or using respirators that have expired. Research suggests these may be better protection than alternatives, including surgical masks.
This article was originally published by Business Insider.
Well friggin DUH.
Isn’t much they produce that works “as designed”.
Like it really matters? They were never designed to do what their supposed benefit of protecting others when the sick person wearing the mask is coughing, singing or talking loudly. When worn by non-symptomatic well people they do nothing other than lower the O2 levels in the person wearing the mask.
The N-95 masks are not supposed to be used anyway. They only protect the person wearing them . They don’t protect others because when you exhale it is not filtered.
Painters use N95 masks — not for their own safety, but to protect the paint.
There’s actually a lot they produce that works as designed. It’s just not the cheap stuff - if you are willing to pay them more for quality, they’ll build it.
Keep in mind that China makes the majority of hard drives these days. And those don’t die any sooner than the immediate prior generations that were made in Japan, Korea, the US, etc., etc.
And the crew of Sea Isle City and Sungari would strongly disagree with you over whether Chinese weapons work.
Er, no. Painters don’t use N95, they use P95 or P100. N95 does not protect against paint vapors or protect the paint from the user.
Not all N95 masks have the exhale valve. Years ago I went to the N95 masks with the exhale valve because I was doing some rigorous sanding grinding on fiberglass
How’s your Krebs cycle CHYna? #1 IN DEPOPULATION EUGENICS for many years in a row.
Chinese Eugenics...READ Geoffrey Miller at the edge.org...self-described “Evolutionary Psychologist”. HOW CLEVER these PSYCHOPATHS, eh?
(for some reason, I can’t get to the link...what’s habbening, Q?)
; )
That only applies if the mask has an exhale valve. Many N-95 variants don’t have an exhale valve.
Exhale valves is the only way to get rid of most of the CO2 buildup. And on warm to hot days, it becomes necessary for that level of filtration to force air back through.
My wife and I have P100 masks, and I can’t fathom ever not having an exhale valve to bypass the filter. Using that in a 130 degree hot attic space doing work is terrible (I’ve done it).
Half of mine break right out of the package.
You would do better seeking out P95 masks and filtration if not P100. Most of the masses have no idea what those are and you stand a better chance of finding them. And most of the P95 stuff is made in North America.
Yawn. People never learn. 85% of the population are complete morons who are incapable of rational thought.
Mind has two phony exhale valves with a piece of see- through fabric instead of a rubber flapper. I just wear it for appearence sake to keep the Karens off my back.
The "P" means it can be used in the presence of oils. Neither protects against vapors, they are not intended to.
True, but there are P100 organic vapor cartridges out there and I don’t recall there being any N95 ones.
From the country that brought us covid....what a shocker.
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