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The onset of autumn has been marked by a sharp rise in cases in all the major European countries, which have responded by strengthening the precautionary measures in place to protect citizens and the most at-risk members of the population. Face masks are, once again, the main tool being used to limit the risk of spreading or catching COVID-19. Countries like France, Italy, the UK and Spain are considering making it obligatory to use masks outdoors as well as indoors, to reduce the spread of the virus as far as possible.To get more news about CE antiepidemic mask, you can visit tnkme.com official website.

By popular demand, we have gathered together and summarised all the information we could find on high-filtration masks and their various certifications. In this article, we will explain in brief the features of KN95, FFP2 and N95 masks, so you know the differences between them when you come to make your purchase.
As well as the classic blue surgical masks, which are perfectly fine for avoiding infecting others, but less useful for protecting yourself, you can also buy certified filtering face masks. The initials FFP in the name FFP2 stand for ‘Filtering Face Piece’, and these masks provide very effective filtration of dangerous microparticles, which is why they are used in environments that present a high risk of contagion.

When you start looking for filtering masks that have passed scientific tests to confirm their protective characteristics, you soon run into initials like FFP2, KN95 and N95, especially if you’re looking for something to protect you from pollutants or microparticles that carry viruses. The certification of these masks varies depending on their place of origin.
The KN95, N95 and FFP2 masks provide similar levels of filtration: all three have a filtration capacity above 94%, according to the standards that govern their technical characteristics.

KN95, N95 and FFP2 masks differ in the procedure used to calculate their filtration. This procedure changes based on where they are produced, as it follows the certification rules established by the country where the devices’ functioning is tested.

FFP2, FFP1 and FFP3 masks are governed by a piece of European legislation, the famous EN 149: 2001, updated in 2009. This law defines the standards used to certify the effectiveness of ‘respiratory protective devices’, and clearly establishes the requirements, tests and branding for the masks.

N95 masks are covered by American standard NIOSH -42CFR84, drawn up by NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health), the American body responsible for certifying the actual effectiveness of filtering facial devices.

KN95 masks are certified in the People’s Republic of China based on the rules set out in standard GB2626-2006. This standard dictates the technical requirements, testing methods and branding for respiratory devices with a protective filter used to purify the air from potentially damaging particles.

Although their overall aim is the same – to certify the devices’ actual capacity to protect people from inhaling potentially damaging substances or particles – each of the three standards that certify filtering face masks is different from the others. The differences lie in the methods adopted to test the devices – depending on the type of test carried out, the requirements and test conditions may therefore vary.

People in Germany have been wearing face coverings since the government made it mandatory at the end of April last year.To get more news about quality medical surgical mask factory outlet, you can visit tnkme.com official website.

But earlier this month the restrictions changed: medical masks now have to be worn when people are shopping or riding on public transport.

The new rules were brought in as part of tighter measures to deal with the threat of Covid-19 variants.

Since homemade cloth masks, scarves and shawls used to cover the mouth and nose are no longer allowed, the demand for better protective equipment in the crisis has risen rapidly.

In most of the country (except the states of Schleswig-Holstein and Bavaria where only FFP2 masks are allowed) disposable medical surgical masks are also permitted, and they're popular.Despite initial worries that there might not be enough supplies, things appear to have gone smoothly.

Unlike in spring 2020, when the German government changed its mask strategy at short notice without it being clear where the masks would come from, there are no bottlenecks so far this time.

“We are seeing that the market is coping well not only with the demand for surgical masks, but also for FFP2 masks,” said Christian Splett, spokesman for the Federal Association of German Pharmacists (ABDA).

“Of course, the masks can be sold out for a day here and there, but that is normal. The nationwide supply is guaranteed.”

In pharmacies, retail stories and online, the prices of the masks (which can range from €1 to €5 or even more per piece) have also dropped in recent weeks.

“The market is virtually flooded with masks from Chinese manufacturers,” said Thomas Vierhaus, managing director at the Association of Technical Trade (VTH). And one or two German producers are now also involved.

More than 11 million counterfeit 3M N95 masks have been seized by the Department of Homeland Security in recent weeks.To get more news about famous FFP2 mask stock, you can visit tnkme.com official website.

The recently confiscated masks were headed for frontline healthcare workers who rely on N95 respirators to protect them from getting infected with and transmitting the coronavirus when interacting with Covid patients.

While the Centers for Disease Control still recommends reserving N95 masks for frontline healthcare workers and medical first responders, at this point, much of the general public are buying N95 masks for personal use. N95 masks create a seal that filters 95% of airborne particles when properly fitted.

With so many counterfeit N95 masks on the market, inadvertently using them could give healthcare workers and the public a dangerous false sense of security.The markings on the outside of an N95 respirator are key — a blank N95 is a red flag that it’s inauthentic. First, make sure that the mask has the “NIOSH” logo or acronym in block letters, which indicates that it’s been approved by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, according to the CDC. Check that NIOSH is spelled correctly.

The brand manufacturer name (for example, 3M), registered trademark or clearly understood abbreviation should also be clearly printed on the mask. You can search the brand name on the CDC’s index to make sure that it is approved by NIOSH; in some cases, brands may misrepresent NIOSH approval.

The mask should also have a testing and certification code, which is “TC” followed by a numerical code. Other required numbers include the filter class (a letter: N, P or R) and efficiency (95, 99 or 100), for example, “N95.” There should be an alphanumerical model number printed on the mask, and it’s recommended that the mask also includes the lot number, though some masks may not.N95 respirators are designed with two bands that fit around the back of the head and neck to ensure a snug seal around the nose and mouth. If a mask has ear loops instead of head bands, then it is not a legit N95 respirator.
Buyer beware if you are purchasing a N95 respirator online or from a third-party marketplace, such as Amazon.

The CDC suggests that you look at the seller’s history and reviews before purchasing. Notice “too good to be true” price fluctuations and deviations. Marketing words like “legitimate” or “genuine” are often misleading, as are advertisements that there’s “unlimited” quantity, according to the CDC.

Check for signs like spelling errors and bad grammar, unfinished pages or broken links, which could indicate that a website is bogus.