Victorian and NSW public hospitals are using a batch of respirators that are at risk of tearing and may not meet Australian manufacturing standards.
The masks did not gain National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) certification as an N95 respirator until 7 June; however, many of the respirators currently in use across Victoria and New South Wales come from a batch manufactured on 5 May.
Wing You, General Manager of BYD Australia, told newsGP the respirator is ‘fully compliant with Australian standards’ and the batch is ‘definitely’ safe.
‘These masks were manufactured in May. They didn’t get approval from NIOSH, but they are the same model,’ he said.
Note, just looking at it, checking the packaging, etc, even checking FDA listing, may seem like a good start. In reality, will not guarantee anything for you.
There is flood of counterfeit product on the market and even the regulatory authorities find it hard to distinguish the real from the fake, just by looking at it.
There are unscrupulous factories churning out counterfeit N95 masks, NIOSH N95 masks and other masks, often at higher prices than the genuine articles!
…typically they first buy batches of legitimate product from a certified factory, then copy everything they need…however typically cut a few corners, especially on some of the internal materials, essential to a safe mask, but unseen unless you destroy the mask & / or test it.
To be fair, many government authorities are on the lookout for counterfeits, both in country of origin, and import customs.
Also, many local authorities are conducting random testing of products in their local markets, which is also good.
Here is the scary thing.
Even the experts, at places such as CDC, NIOSH and test labs, cannot tell a real NIOSH N95 mask from a fake NIOSH N95 mask, let alone the other masks, such as a regular N95 mask, CE certified FFP2 NR Mask or KN95 Mask…
…just by looking at them!
The only way to be sure, is to test a NIOSH N95, N95 mask, FFP2 NR Mask, or KN95 Mask in a lab, which is what authorities do.
To achieve and certification, factories need to make a compliant products, then prove it in a test lab.
There is follow-up to ensure ongoing compliance.
…so how can it be that there is the product in the market that is not compliant?
In most cases, it is a counterfeit or fake product.
….and obviously anyone going to the trouble to make counterfeit masks, can copy the packaging documents etc and a significant amount will “get through”.
The key is that your retailer or wholesaler, is buying from reputable partners, and they are buying “factory direct”.
For large retailers and wholesalers looking for products, First-res, ships bulk quantities factory direct.
All of our factories have been making COVID PPE, since before COVID!
Some have been NIOSH certified for more than six years.
If you are buying from a reputable reseller that you know, check they (or their importer) are shipping NIOSH N95 masks, N95 masks, CE certified FFP2 NR Masks, KN95 Masks factory direct.
2020 is the year that has changed the meaning of normal for each and everyone across the globe! As we cautiously tread ahead in the new decade we will have to get comfortable with the new “normal.” And, a vital part of this normal is wearing masks!
Fortunately, most masks come with the manufacturer’s instructions on how to use them. The first step is to adhere to these instructions.
Some common instructions for wearing the mask include:
Fitting the nose clip on the mask to the shape of the nose.
After this, you will need to ensure that the straps are placed appropriately ensuring a positive face seal.
You can verify if your mask is a good fit by ensuring that there is no airflow between the mask and face when inhaling. This test is important for any N95 masks, FFP2 NR Masks, KN95 Masks, and NIOSH N95 masks.
After making sure that you have followed all instructions provided by the manufacturer, the next step is the “odor test.”
Traditional “surgical style mask” or “dental mask” do not block odors. In contrast, a properly manufactured and fitted N95 mask, FFP2 NR Mask, KN95 Mask, and NIOSH N95 mask should be able to block odor. This might feel strange to people who are not accustomed to wearing medical masks.
If your mask fits well you will be unable to smell your cologne, perfume, body odor, etc. from yourself or others around you.
Some health care professionals check for the odor test by spraying a familiar perfume nearby (no directly at the face) and inhaling deeply to test. The mask is considered compliant and well-fit only if they are unable to smell the perfume.
It is recommended that you change your mask after a few hours. While changing your mask, you will need to move to a “safe area” and change to a new N95 mask, FFP2 NR Mask, KN95 Mask, or NIOSH N95 mask!
Each time you change your mask, make sure that you follow the above instructions for a proper fit.
Unfortunately, even during such troubled times, there are many looking for their own profits. Therefore, there are counterfeit masks available in the market. These masks could cause more harm than good. Hence it is imperative that you ensure that you use only genuine masks.
How to guard against counterfeit masks? Check this Frist-Res blog about the risks of counterfeit masks.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is the United States federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related injury and illness.
NIOSH is also directly responsible for several regulations. These regulations mostly outline procedures and requirements for specific health and safety-related matters involving a particular industry or set forth rules for NIOSH to follow in administering programs assigned to the Institute.
First-Res NIOSH & FDA Certified N95 Mask – 2 week lead time
To get the highly sought after NIOSH N95 masks you generally have to choose between
– factory direct on a long lead time of several months, or
– through a reseller, with high price and a higher risk that counterfeit products may penetrate the supply chain.
First-Res Medical PPE has proven ourselves as being valuable partners to a number of COVID-related PPE factories, which provides a great opportunity to our clients.
Folding Style NIOSH N95 Face Masks and Cup Style N95 Face masks are available from First-Res on a two week lead time. Bulk orders only, shipped factory direct, to your warehouse.
