What are the challenges faced by the KN95 face mask factories?
We all know that these masks are Chinese equivalent. And these masks are responsible for filtering 95% of aerosol particles. Using the KN95 masks made by these KN95 mask factories is perfectly safe. But this article will tell you a different story about it:
Frontline workers at risk
ECRI a non-profit organization, responsible for the health and safety of people tells us that doctors and nurses are using KN95s that are not filtering 95 percent of particulates.
And the team at the ECRI noted that by testing around 200masks, they came to know that these masks are not suitable at high-risk times as it does not filter 95%partiles as claimed. And watching the result, ECRI chose to raise the alarm and alert the public and healthcare professionals.
According to Dr Marcus Schabacker, president and chief executive officer at ECRI, "Because of the terrible situation, U.S. hospitals bought hundreds of thousands of masks made in China over the past six months, and we're finding that many of them aren't safe and effective against the spread of COVID-19." "U.S. standards-compliant masks reduce the risk of infection for patients and front-line healthcare personnel.”
Standardization Risks
While KN95 respirators differ from N95 respirators in that they meet the Chinese requirement but are not subject to U.S. regulatory bodies, they may not fulfill NIOSH criteria. "There may be confusion about the two masks in the general population. These imported KN95 masks made at these KN95 facemask facilities do not filter out 95% of aerosol particulates.
Respirator Risks
FDA selected a random list of non-NIOSH-approved masks and tested them for 99% filtration standardization as they claimed and the results were shocking which were disclosed after a month.
The results did set an alarm. Because some Chinese similar masks displayed negative filtration, which occurs when a mask emits more particles than were present at the testing device's input, the masks were not as effective.
Consistency Risks
The ECRI team found out that all of the KN95 masks did not perform consistently. So, trusting this mask is an issue that most KN95face mask factories face this risk as a challenge. As there are around 3000+ mask factories in the market that manufactures this mask in huge volumes.
A ray of hope: In a non-risk situation
Given said the results, these masks are not completely useless. The facts by ECRI tell us that these masks are a strict no-no in a high-risk situation. But whatever report the ECRI made, it was because a random lot of masks were selected. And there are thousands of mask manufacturers in the market.
Conclusion:
So, simply put these masks are not N95 equivalent, but in those areas where there is a shortage of N95 masks, it is wise to make use of KN95 masks where there is no such high-risk situation. The above-mentioned risks are the challenges faced by the KN95 face mask manufacturers.
Frontline workers at risk
ECRI a non-profit organization, responsible for the health and safety of people tells us that doctors and nurses are using KN95s that are not filtering 95 percent of particulates.
And the team at the ECRI noted that by testing around 200masks, they came to know that these masks are not suitable at high-risk times as it does not filter 95%partiles as claimed. And watching the result, ECRI chose to raise the alarm and alert the public and healthcare professionals.
According to Dr Marcus Schabacker, president and chief executive officer at ECRI, "Because of the terrible situation, U.S. hospitals bought hundreds of thousands of masks made in China over the past six months, and we're finding that many of them aren't safe and effective against the spread of COVID-19." "U.S. standards-compliant masks reduce the risk of infection for patients and front-line healthcare personnel.”
Standardization Risks
While KN95 respirators differ from N95 respirators in that they meet the Chinese requirement but are not subject to U.S. regulatory bodies, they may not fulfill NIOSH criteria. "There may be confusion about the two masks in the general population. These imported KN95 masks made at these KN95 facemask facilities do not filter out 95% of aerosol particulates.
Respirator Risks
FDA selected a random list of non-NIOSH-approved masks and tested them for 99% filtration standardization as they claimed and the results were shocking which were disclosed after a month.
The results did set an alarm. Because some Chinese similar masks displayed negative filtration, which occurs when a mask emits more particles than were present at the testing device's input, the masks were not as effective.
Consistency Risks
The ECRI team found out that all of the KN95 masks did not perform consistently. So, trusting this mask is an issue that most KN95face mask factories face this risk as a challenge. As there are around 3000+ mask factories in the market that manufactures this mask in huge volumes.
A ray of hope: In a non-risk situation
Given said the results, these masks are not completely useless. The facts by ECRI tell us that these masks are a strict no-no in a high-risk situation. But whatever report the ECRI made, it was because a random lot of masks were selected. And there are thousands of mask manufacturers in the market.
Conclusion:
So, simply put these masks are not N95 equivalent, but in those areas where there is a shortage of N95 masks, it is wise to make use of KN95 masks where there is no such high-risk situation. The above-mentioned risks are the challenges faced by the KN95 face mask manufacturers.
Comments
Post a Comment