Choosing Your Mask: A Closer Look At N95 and KN95 Respirators Carried By CovCare

From NIOSH Certified N95 face masks to CE Certified KN95 respirators, we break down the different types of masks carried by CovCare to help provide some insight on which type of mask is the most appropriate for your daily and work needs.

Over the past six months, we’ve fielded a number of questions about the inventory of masks carried by CovCare. What is the difference between a N95 and KN95 mask? How much protection do masks really provide? Are the masks FDA approved?

The inquiries grow from there in scope in scale as CovCare aims to provide informative product knowledge on the variety of masks offered, from 3-ply disposable face masks to N95 and KN95 masks. Whereas discussions existed early and often in the Coronavirus pandemic on which masks were best used in the general public, research showed that KN95s for everyday use was encouraged because of their affordability and availability.

NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) is responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related injury and illness. One of its responsibilities is the approval of respiratory protective devices.

NIOSH approved N95 masks are therefore the standard for the US healthcare system, as N95 masks come in either a cone shape or a flat-fold style like the NIOSH Certified Alpha Pro Tech (Made in USA) and the NIOSH Certified N95 Respirator (SH9550) which are both listed as approved vendors by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In addition, CovCare carries the following N95 masks:

Makrite 9500 NIOSH N95 Respirator

Makrite Sekura NIOSH N95 Respirator

3Q SQ100SB NIOSH N95 Respirator

Harley L-288 NIOSH N95 Respirator

In essence, N95 masks are the US standards for respirator masks while KN95 masks are the Chinese standards for masks. Despite the list of differences, the two masks are nearly equivalent on the features that most people care about: Filter particles performance (95%), Flow Rate (85 L/min.), and Inhalation and Exhalation resistance. According to mask manufacturer 3M, “it is reasonable to consider” China’s KN95s “equivalent” to US N95s. Mask standards for Europe (FFP2), Australia (P2), Korea (KMOEL), and Japan (DS) are also highly similar.

Some of the differences between N95 and KN95 masks are generally small, for example, to be certified as a KN95 mask, the Chinese government requires the manufacturer to run mask fit tests with ≤ 8% leakage. The N95 mask standard does not require manufacturers to run fit tests.

A number of hospitals and companies also require workers to be fit-tested, yet those are requirements of companies themselves, not for the US NIOSH certification on the masks. Another small difference: N95 masks have stricter requirements for pressure drop while inhaling, meaning they’re required to be easier to breath with than KN95 masks. And lastly, N95 masks have a slightly stricter requirement for pressure drop while exhaling, making the N95 masks more breathable.

CovCare carries a variety of different KN95 masks that are all CE Certified (a certification mark that indicates conformity with health, safety, and environmental protection standards for products sold within Europe). Since the start of the Coronavirus pandemic, the FDA issued a list of KN95 masks that it approved under an Emergency Use Authorization, that can be found here. Two of the K95 respirators featured at CovCare include the KN95 Respirator (CE Approved) and the POWECOM KN95 Respirator (FDA EUA List)

If you are looking to place a large wholesale order of N95 or KN95 masks, CovCare guarantees the best price, will beat any vendor's quote, and currently accept POs from hospitals and government departments.