How to check if the N95 respirator is real: signs of fake masks

More than 11 million counterfeit 3M N95 masks have been seized by the Department of Homeland Security in recent weeks.

The recently confiscated masks were aimed at frontline healthcare professionals who rely on N95 respirators to protect them from being infected and transmit the coronavirus when interacting with Covid patients.

Although the Centers for Disease Control still recommend reserving N95 masks for frontline healthcare professionals and medical first responders, at present, a large part of the general public is purchasing N95 masks for personal use. N95 masks create a seal that filters 95% of airborne particles when installed correctly.

With so many fake N95 masks on the market, using them inadvertently can give healthcare professionals and the public a dangerous and false sense of security.

Here’s how to tell if your N95 respirator is fake:

The markings on the outside of an N95 respirator are essential – a blank N95 is a red flag that it is not authentic. First, make sure that the mask has the logo or acronym “NIOSH” in capital letters, which indicates that it has been approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, according to the CDC. Check that NIOSH is spelled correctly.

The name of the brand manufacturer (for example, 3M), registered trademark or abbreviation clearly understood must also be clearly printed on the mask. You can search the brand name in the CDC index to make sure it is approved by NIOSH; in some cases, brands may incorrectly represent NIOSH approval.

The mask must also have a test and certification code, which is “TC” followed by a numeric code. Other necessary numbers include the filter class (a letter: N, P or R) and efficiency (95, 99 or 100), for example, “N95”. There must be an alphanumeric model number printed on the mask and it is recommended that the mask also include the lot number, although some masks cannot.