Still, a little common sense and know-how can go a long way. (The CDC’s page on counterfeit respirators shows images of several examples.) KN95s (masks claiming to meet Chinese standards) and KF94s (those claiming to meet South Korean standards) require similar filtration efficiency to N95s but not the same markings, and so they can be tougher to evaluate by sight.
And this makes spotting the duds a lot easier. N95s-which have passed strict tests administered by NIOSH, including demonstrating 95% filtration efficiency under set conditions-require certain markings on the masks themselves. Sloppier fakes are easier to detect, however, and they’re still out there. Unfortunately, it’s tough to separate the most expertly copied masks from the genuine articles. Or maybe you have little choice but to buy whatever is on the drugstore shelf. Or you might be tempted by a good deal from a brand you haven’t heard of.
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(In our guide to N95, KN95, and surgical-style masks, we explain how to do that, and we recommend specific masks that have passed government tests or independent lab tests to confirm their filtration efficacy.) But sometimes you end up with a pile of masks of dubious provenance, courtesy of your workplace or a well-meaning relative. The best way to find legitimate masks is to buy ones made by reputable manufacturers and sold by trusted retailers. Last May, investigators confiscated 2 million fake masks purchased and used by unsuspecting hospitals in Portland, Maine. Federal agencies seized a total of 21.2 million fake N95s that year, and the problem carried over well into 2021. In September 2020, ECRI (a nonprofit that advises hospitals and health-care agencies on product safety) reported that 60% to 70% of KN95s it tested did not filter the 95% of particles that they promised to. Whether it’s an imposter mask claiming to be from an established brand or a newcomer purporting to be highly protective, the problem is a matter of consistency. At worst, they give those who need protection most a potentially dangerous false sense of security. At best, fake respirator masks are just a waste of money. And along with that comes the nagging concern over being duped by counterfeiters. The highly contagious Omicron variant has sent us on a mad dash for more-protective masks, such as N95s, KN95s, and KF94s.
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