How to tell if a mask is counterfeit
While it might be tough to distinguish an expertly copied mask from an authentic one, there are a few key red flags that tell when you should be wary.
The packaging is questionable: A product from a legitimate company will arrive in a sealed, tamper-evident package that contains the company's information.
The packaging contains misspelled words: Misspelled words and blatant grammatical errors are two ways to identify a counterfeit KN95 mask.
Words like "genuine" or "authentic" appear on the packaging: The CDC states, "If a listing claims to be 'legitimate' and 'genuine,' it likely is not."
The mask is "FDA-approved": The FDA is not responsible for testing masks.
The mask is "NIOSH-approved": NIOSH does not approve KN95 masks. KN95 masks are manufactured in China and imported to the U.S.
Consider the seller's name: Be wary of sellers with questionable names (e.g., one spelled using only consonants).
There is no expiration date: A KN95 mask does not last forever. All genuine KN95 masks come with an expiration date.
There is no GB number or branding on the mask: A KN95 mask is stamped with "GB2626-2019." This means the mask was made according to Chinese respirator standards. Older masks are stamped with "GB2626-2006." As long as the expiration date is still good, these masks are good to use.
Review the seller's history and reviews: If a seller has a history of selling a wide variety of rotating products, there's a good chance you are purchasing is a counterfeit.
Consider the details: Is there "unlimited stock" during a shortage? Are the graphics crisp or do they appear cut and pasted? Does important information only appear in an image and not as text? Is the contact email from a free email service?
expiredSmilingKite474 posted Mar 08, 2022 05:41 PM
Item 1 of 6
Item 1 of 6
expiredSmilingKite474 posted Mar 08, 2022 05:41 PM
30-Pack Rasav 5-Layer KN95 Face Masks (Black)
$7.90
$15
47% offAmazon
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On a different note, some KN95 masks I bought in 2020 did a very good job of filtering out smoke and even smells from cooking food. But some NIOSH Certified N95 masks made in the US (the ones from a previous SD deal from OfficeMax/Depot : 20 for $10) I bought did not do as good a job of eliminating cooking smells as the cheaper KN95, even though they were much sturdier and more robust than the KN95 ones.
EDIT: Also, the KN95 masks in this deal come packaged in bunches of 10. If you need individually wrapped masks to give other people, then you may want to get something else.
Hmmm, I wonder who is giving a thumbs-down on every single comment on this deal? Maybe the SD mods will notice.
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If you received smaller masks, you should contact Amazon that you did not receive adult-sized masks as advertised and you can get a refund.
Filters for particulate.
Charcoal filters for chemicals.
Filters for particulate.
Charcoal filters for chemicals.
Here is the EPA page and others with recommendations for using N95 to protect yourself from smoke and ashes:
https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2018-11/documents/respiratory_protection-no-niosh-5081.pdf
https://www.healthline.com/health-news/will-your-covid-19-mask-protect-you-from-wildfire-smoke [epa.gov]
Here is the EPA page and others with recommendations for using N95 to protect yourself from smoke and ashes:
https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2018-11/documents/respiratory_protection-no-niosh-5081.pdf
https://www.healthline.com/health-news/will-your-covid-19-mask-protect-you-from-wildfire-smoke [epa.gov]
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Instead, we wear our KN95/N95 masks when we leave our house (inside, the smoke is not a problem) and the air is bad--which is something that can last weeks here in California in summer. I have NEVER seen anyone wear the masks with those 2 carbon canisters at anytime here in California to protect against wildfire smoke that reaches the cities that are farther away. It would be too hot and uncomfortable and not necessary as gases are not a signififcant problem where most of the population live. If gases are a problem, they would have been evacuated, or they would be dead after some time.
For firefighters and other first-reponders who are actually in harm's way near the wildfires, they are using heavier-duty respirators as well as supplemental air from a tank. But, this is for short time use when they are in the immediate vicinity of active fires, and not when they are miles away from an active outbreak.
Dangerous gases and chemicals are mainly of concern with house fires where plastics, and other substances can produce poisonous fumes when burned. In those casses, you definitely need masks with better filtration to remove those gases and chemicals when you are very close by.
I think a lot depends on whether one is talking about being a few hundred yards from a major wildfire or 25-100 miles downwind of that wildfire.
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