What are KN95 masks?
KN95s and N95s have many commonalities. The US only approves the KN95s for medical use. This is because N95s refers to the U.S. standard and KN95s refers to the Chinese standard for close fitting filters.
During the pandemic in the US, the CDC approved the use of KN95 masks instead of N95 masks because there was a lack of personal protective equipment.Users of KN95 and hospitals, however, report quality differences.
How does KN95 masks function?
Although they work in the same way as N95 masks KN95 masks are not regulated by the exact same organizations. There are questions about whether KN95 masks can be used in surgical settings. Check this list to see if your KN95 model has been approved by the FDA for emergency medical use. The non-profit ECRI examined 200 KN95 masks and found that 70% did not meet U.S. safety standards. This increases the risk that COVID-19 could be contracted by healthcare professionals, patients, or others who have been exposed to masks made from China.
What are N95 Masques?
N95, regarded as the gold standard of face coverings in the construction and medical industries, is widely used. As opposed to surgical masks, these face covers are made to fit your face snugly.
What do N95 masks look like?
N95 masks have tough, but flexible, non-woven polyester fibres.
What does N95 look like?
N95s are capable of filtering out 95% of particles smaller than 0.3 millimeters, according to the CDC.
A February 2017 study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene found that these masks could filter 99.8% of particles less than 0.1 microns in diameter. Therefore, N95s are well-suited for our current pandemic.
What Is the Difference Between N95 & KN95 Masques
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The main differences between the masks are their looks and the regulating bodies. N95 masks are regulated by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Each mask prototype undergoes rigorous testing by NIOSH.
This is the bottom line
The differences between N95 and KN95 masks are negligible for the average person. Either mask should be sufficient if you are not a healthcare worker. If you are unable to find the right type of mask, double-masking with a surgical mask underneath your cloth mask.