Mask Standards Explained: KN95 Respirator

While the COVID-19 pandemic drove our economy to the brink of collapse, technological innovation and supply chain perseverance has allowed our nation to stay afloat and reinvent itself. Before this global pandemic, PPE was reserved for hospital facilities and research laboratories, but in this new world, every sector of the economy can only function with implementation of the proper safety equipment and protective gear. Accordingly, many of you are new to purchasing PPE, and could use assistance in making decisions about which products are right for you. 

At PRS, our team has a strong technical background in the hard sciences and medical space, and we are here to help guide you through some of the misconceptions in the marketplace.  

What is the difference between KN95 and N95?

Scientists collect data on the performance of our products. But it is the political leaders who define the nomenclature of those products. The designated names “KN95” and “N95” frequently get confused by those who are new to the field, and perhaps they should. Five of the vital metrics used to define the performance of each type of mask (KN95 vs N95) have identical standards. There is a total of eleven different tests that KN95 masks must pass, and ten different tests that the N95 must pass. That being said, the additional six performance tests have different requirements, in comparing N95’s to KN95’s. 

The priority metrics used in evaluating the N95 and the KN95 include (i) Filter Performance Greater than 95% ; (ii) NaCl test agent analysis ; (iii) Flow Rate in L/min ; (iv) Total Inward Leakage [arithmetic mean]; (v) Inhalation Resistance [Pa]; (vi) Corresponding Flow Rate [L/min]; (vii) Exhalation Resistance [Pa]; (viii) Corresponding Flow Rate [L/min]; (ix) Exhalation valve leakage requirement; (x) Force Applied [Pa]; (xi) CO2 Clearance Requirement.

While the results of these tests are similar for the N95 and the KN95, the organizations that approve the scientific data is completely different. The “N95” is the United States standard, and the KN95 is the Chinese standard. Each has a different government stamping its mark of approval on the product, resulting in a difference in how we perceive these products, and a difference in how we value the data on each product. The “95” corresponds to the shared characteristic of filtration performance, greater than 95%. The KN95 mask actually requires a fit test, to see if there is inhalation leakage. The performance and functionality is similar, yet the trust we have in the metrics used to measure performance varies.

Sources:

https://smartairfilters.com/en/blog/whats-the-difference-between-n95-and-kn95-masks/