INTRODUCTION
- N95 MASK:-
N95 masks are basically US standards for respirator masks
An N95 Mask is a respiratory protective device which is designed for achieving a very close facial fit. N95 Mask filters airborne particles which mean that in N95 Mask; at least 95% of airborne particles are filtered.
N95 Mask is used for protection against serious communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, SARS, influenza. Now a day, N95 Mask is also used for protection against corona virus. In N95 Mask, the word “N” stands for “Not resistant to oil”
- KN95 MASK:-
KN95 Mask is basically China Standard mask. It is effective for protection against dust and air pollution to safeguard health and life of people. KN95 Mask has adjustable nose clip and elastic ear loop in order to fit the face of individual. In KN95 Mask, the single size fits most people. As we know that KN95 Mask has convenient ear loop design that allows us to slip on and remove mask quickly and easily.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN N95 MASK AND KN95 MASK
Many users are concerned about the percentage of particles that the masks capture. N95 and KN95 respirator masks are the same on this metric. 95% of tiny particles (0.3 micron particles, to be exact) are captured by both Masks.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN N95 MASK AND KN95 MASK CAN BE CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD WITH THE HELP OF FOLLOWING TABLE:-
|
BASIS |
N95 MASK |
KN95 MASK |
|
STANDARD |
N95 Mask is basically US Standard Mask |
KN95 Mask is basically Chinese standard mask |
|
MASK FIT TESTS |
Manufacturer of N95 Mask doesn’t require to run fit tests |
Manufacturer of Chinese government requires to run fit tests on real humans with ≤ 8% leakage |
|
INHALATION RESISTANCE |
< 343 Pa |
< 350 Pa |
|
EXHALATION RESISTANCE |
< 245 Pa |
< 250 Pa |
|
EXHALATION VALUE LEAKAGE REQUIREMENT |
Leak rate < 30ml/min |
Depressurization to 0 Pa > 20 sec |
|
FORCE APPLIED |
-245 Pa |
-1180 Pa |
WHICH ONE SHOULD WE USE?
N95 masks and KN95 masks are virtually identical in order to protect from diseases such as corona virus. Both masks are certified to filter out 95% of small particles and fit tightly to the face.
Thus, in order to choose which mask is better, following points need to be considered in mind:-
- N95 masks has elastic straps that go around the user’s head due to which a tighter seal is created than given by KN95s.Thus as a result some users feel more uncomfortable while wearing it .
- N95 masks are generally costlier than KN95 masks and have ear loops instead of straps. This makes them easier to put on and take off, but it also can also mean a slightly looser fit.
Thus in nutshell from above explanation we can say that although there are some differences between N95 Masks and KN95 Masks , KN95 masks are as effective as N95 masks in terms of use and can be used as substitute for N95 masks as 95% of tiny particles (0.3 micron particles, to be exact) are captured by both Masks. According to 3M, the world's largest mask maker, the KN95 is "equivalent" to the N95 mask and "can be expected to be very similar in function".
Therefore, in the case of a shortage of epidemic prevention resources, KN95 can play the same protective role as an N95 mask.
