Understanding Face Masks
Over the past few weeks, you may have seen numerous ads from new pop up companies claiming to be manufacturing protective face masks at a discounted rate that can be resold throughout the U.S. market. This is timely as the demand for disposable face masks is at an all-time high. But there are some things to understand about disposable masks that should cause you to be cautious in the buying process.
What to Know About Face Masks
First, let’s look at what consumer-friendly, disposable masks are and what they are not. These masks are used primarily to protect other people you encounter from potential exposure to airborne particles, while also providing protection for you as the wearer from airborne particles.
Next, mask material and quality are an important factor. While many homemade masks have begun to trend in the market, it is still advised to use a professionally manufactured, tested and approved mask. Homemade masks are trendy, but much less effective. The material of manufactured masks varies slightly depending on intended purpose but are generally tested at around a 95 percent filter performance, a rating that basic cloth cannot achieve. Homemade masks cannot be guaranteed as materials, material use, and layering are all factors that can increase or decrease filtration.
Available Mask Types
Primarily, there are two unique versions of disposable masks available in the U.S. The first is considered medical grade or surgical masks, which are to be reserved for use by medical institutions. The second is what most consumers are becoming familiar with as traditional disposable masks. These masks can be identified by their unique categorization names such as KN95, N95, and FFP2, among others. It is important to note that N95 masks can be surgical or medical grade and these should not be purchased for consumer use, but N95 masks may also not be labeled as medical use.
The most common masks being manufactured today for use by the public are the KN95 variety which are manufactured in China, have a 95 percent filtration rating, and are tested and approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. However, beware of those who are claiming to sell the KN95 at unusually low rates, without proper credentials, or without a U.S. based supplier partner acting as an importer.
Obstacles to Mask Acquisition
The main issues that have been reported in mask acquisition comes when purchasing directly from China. While claims can be made that the masks are KN95 and approved, for example, certain stipulations remain that can cause order error. The U.S. government is beginning to more heavily regulate the importation of most masks. Utilizing an approved supplier with an approved import process and a licensed manufacturer is the most ideal option when acquiring masks. Stories have emerged about direct purchases from alleged Chinese manufacturers where the product never arrived, where masks were caught in customs are returned to the country of origin, or even where the manufacturing facility did not exist at all.
A heightened demand of specific products, no matter the product, increases the likelihood of scams. It is becoming more evident that the demand for disposable masks will surge in the coming weeks and months. Many states have begun drafting plans to return many of their citizens to work and most, if not all, include a provision to wear masks regularly. Knowing this, the scammers will only increase their efforts. But also, this shows that now is the time to capitalize on mask acquisition, through proper, vetted channels.
Tips for Getting Masks
At Purple Snow, we have used this time of crisis to learn from and understand these emerging market trends. We have had detailed conversations with our supplier partners regarding masks and other high -demand products. We want to protect our market from being scammed by misleading manufacturers. With that, we encourage you to adopt the following practices when acquiring face masks and other personal protective equipment:
- Place orders through trusted Purple Snow preferred suppliers
- Ensure the purchased equipment has proper certification
- Do not import product yourself
- When in doubt, contact us at Purple Snow and ask
For more information about face masks, we encourage you to visit the FDA’s page dedicated to mask education.
Remember, Purple Snow is with you every step of the way during these challenging times. We will continue to do everything in our power to help you navigate through this, as we all stand together... #BILLINGSstrong.