News July 20, 2020 | CanadaOnlineHealth
N95 Vs. KN95 Vs.
Surgical Masks Vs. Cloth Masks
With the global outbreak of COVID-19, surgical masks, respirators and other epidemic prevention equipment are in short supply. As we all know, the N95 mask is the most recommended model among COVID-19 's protective masks.
So what is difference between N95 and KN95? Can KN95 be used instead of N95? Do cloth face masks help prevent the spread of the coronavirus?
The US. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are providing recommendations regarding the use of the various protective equipment. In this article, we will give you a detailed introduction about N95 versus KN95 versus cloth face masks.
Each country has their
own certification standard for each mask type. Each standard varies a little by
country, however they are broadly similar.
For surgical masks, Europe uses the EN 14683 standard, whereas China uses the YY 0469 standard.
For respirator masks, China uses the KN standard (e.g. KN95) and the US uses the N standard (e.g. N95).
The letters in front of each mask type represent different national standards.
KN95 Mask Vs N95 Mask:
What Is the Difference?
N95 masks are personal protective facial masks that are regulated by the CDC, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
If fitted properly, N95 facial mask have the filtration capability to block at least 95 percent of 0.3-micron particles, which are some of the hardest particles to capture due to their very small size.
KN95 masks are similar to N95 masks; however, they are regulated by the Chinese government. In fact, the KN95 mask is simply the Chinese code for the U.S. coded N95 mask; and just like the N95 masks, KN95 masks also filter 95% of 0.3 micron-sized particulates. They are also designed to achieve a very close facial fit for optimum protection.
In most cases, KN95 masks are authorized by the Centers for Disease Control for use in the U.S. as a suitable alternative when the supply of N95 masks is low.
What Is the Difference Between Face Masks and Surgical Masks?
Masks are loose fitting and may not provide full protection from breathing in airborne pathogens, such as viruses.
What Is the Difference Between A Surgical N95 Respirators and A Surgical Mask?
As stated above a surgical mask
is a loose-fitting, disposable device that creates a physical barrier between
the mouth and nose of the wearer and potential contaminants in the immediate
environment. These are often referred to as face masks, although not all face
masks are regulated as surgical masks. Note that the edges of the mask are not
designed to form a seal around the nose and mouth.
An N95 respirator is a respiratory protective device designed to achieve a very close facial fit and very efficient filtration of airborne particles. Note that the edges of the respirator are designed to form a seal around the nose and mouth. Surgical N95 Respirators are commonly used in healthcare settings and are a subset of N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirators (FFRs), often referred to as N95s.
The similarities among surgical masks and surgical N95s are:
N95 Respirators Not for Use by The General Public
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not recommend that the general public wear N95 respirators to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including coronavirus (COVID-19).
Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for health care workers and other medical first responders, as recommended by current CDC guidance.
CDC Recommends Cloth Face Coverings for Use by The General Public
A cloth
mask is worn by the public and limits the spread of germs. For individuals who
are not displaying symptoms, a cloth mask is the standard protection for use in
any encounter to slow the spread of diseases like COVID-19.
The CDC currently recommends wearing cloth masks in any public setting, while maintaining social distancing, and specifically in situations where safe social distancing is difficult to maintain.
The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, the CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions, such as hand washing and maintaining at least 6 feet of social distancing, to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases. For more information, see the FDA and CDC websites.
Don’t know where to buy surgical masks or KN95 masks? Don't panic, check here. They are available from CanadaOnlineHealth, which is a Canadian International Pharmacy Association or CIPA certified pharmacy.
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