Here’s how to know the difference between a fake N95 mask and a real one

Here’s how to know the difference between a fake N95 mask and a real one

by

Between the start of the pandemic and the end of the year, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized more than 14.6 million fake masks that entered the United States, the agency told CNN.

N95 masks are considered the gold standard for mask use, but counterfeit doppelgängers can threaten the security of Americans. Failure to comply with U.S. safety standards means that they may not filter airborne particles effectively, the agency said.

See how you can identify a fake N95 mask.

Most important: NIOSH approval

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health is part of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that focuses on worker safety and health.

Before filtering respirators with a mask – a sophisticated term that includes N95 masks – can be used in any workplace, they must be certified by NIOSH.

For an N95 mask to receive the NIOSH seal of approval, it must filter at least 95% of airborne particles.

When discovering whether an N95 mask is fake or not, NIOSH markings are your compass. But there are some tests you can do before you even have a mask on hand.

What to consider before buying

When buying masks online, there are a few things you can ask yourself, according to the CDC’s guidance on locating fake PPE.

If you are buying directly through a website:

  • Are there any typos, incorrect grammar or other errors on the site?
  • Are there any flaws on the site, such as incomplete or blank pages, dummy text, corrupted links and misspelled domains?

If you are buying through a third party market:

  • Does the list call the product “genuine” or “real”? Legitimate companies don’t have to tell buyers that their products are real – at least not in the product name.
  • Were comments left about the product or the seller? Buyers dissatisfied with the product may reveal that it is poorly made or illegitimate.
  • Is the price too good to be true? It probably is.
  • Is the seller selling the same items over time or following trends? Legitimate businesses tend to remain consistent.
  • Does the seller put his contact information in pictures? In that case, they may be circumventing the market policy to maintain interactions between buyers and sellers on the site.

How to check if your mask is real

Okay, but what if you have already masked a website or market and don’t know if they are real?

This is your golden rule: No markup means no approval.

NIOSH approved masks have an approval label on or inside the mask packaging – on the box or in user instructions. The mask must also have an abbreviated approval mark.

The pass number on your mask must start with “TC”. The mask must also have a NIOSH logo printed on it. This CDC image can help you identify your mask markings.
You can then check the approval number on the list of NIOSH certified equipment.

Some other red flags to watch out for include:

  • Any decorative elements, such as sequins.
  • Ear clips instead of head bands. The head bands are crucial for the perfect fit of the N95.
  • Approval requests for children. NIOSH does not approve masks for children.

Do you have a real mask? Share these resources

CDC and NIOSH have resources to help you detect counterfeit masks or even other PPE and medical equipment. You can start here and get more tips on checking masks. You can also see pictures of masks not approved by NIOSH.
Then, you can read about how to protect yourself against buying counterfeit products.

Do you have a fake mask? report it

Fake masks are not the only counterfeit products being sold, nor the only blow to capitalize on the pandemic.

Criminal organizations are also trying to sell counterfeit pharmaceuticals, other PPE and medical devices to “unsuspecting American consumers,” CBP Executive Director of Business Policies and Programs, John Leonard, told CNN.

Covid-19 has been a fertile time for the proliferation of other scams of all types – most recently in relation to vaccines.
While staying informed and up to date, you can report any counterfeit mask to CBP through its reporting system or by calling 1-800-BE-ALERT.
You can also report to the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center online or by calling 1-866-IPR-2060.

.Source