Filtration: According to the CDC, when worn properly fitted and tightly sealed to the face, N95 masks are meant to filter out at least 95% of tiny airborne particles. KN95 masks also filter out at least 95% of small particles, per China’s regulations, but the NIOSH regulations of N95 masks are considered to be stricter. KF94s block at least 94% of small particles, according to research.
Design: All three types of masks offer multiple layers of non-woven polypropylene plus a melt-blown inner filter layer (versus the one to two layers in a typical cloth mask). The fit of the masks, however, is different: The N95, which comes in a cup, flat-fold, or tent shape, creates a tight seal across the face with head straps, while the flat-fold KN95 typically stays on with two ear loops (comfier for some, but potentially prone to more leakage). The KF94 has ear loops too, as well as distinctive side flaps that mold across your nose bridge and under your chin.
What’s the best mask to limit the transmission of COVID-19?
If you’re trying to decide between an N95, KN95, and KF94, Amesh Adalja, MD, senior scholar at Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, tells SELF that you can consider an N95, KN95, or KF94 as “functionally equivalent.” “There’s not really any difference in the protection these three types of mask afford because they are all aimed at a standard of 95% filtration of certain size particles,” Dr. Adalja says.
How can I make sure my mask isn’t fake?
If you are looking for a top-of-the-line N95 face mask or KN95 mask that offers multiple layers of protection, actually finding one can be tough, especially when there is a flood of similar-sounding masks on the market—many of which are fake (in fact, around 60% of KN95s are counterfeit, according to the CDC).
According to The New York Times, in order to avoid winding up with a counterfeit mask, look closely at its markings. N95 masks are only certified by NIOSH (never the FDA) and should be stamped with NIOSH as well as an approval (TC) number. The CDC has a helpful guide to spotting fakes, which you can look over here, as well as the CDC’s list of approved, NIOSH-certified facepiece respirators.
Signs you may have a fake N95 on your hands:
- Lack of any markings (like NIOSH or TC) or branding on the mask
- Misspellings of NIOSH
- Earloops instead of headbands
- Packaging typos
- N95s labeled for kids
Signs for spotting a real KN95 and KF94:
KN95s (real ones) are regulated by the Chinese government to meet the country’s respirator standards and should be stamped with GB. This condition requires that masks produced following July 1, 2021, are labeled GB2626-2019. Any mask that has a GB number ending in 2006 was produced following standards previously released but is still good to use if its expiration date hasn’t passed.
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