Where Can You Find Genuine N95 Masks?

By Flavia Lima March 15, 2021

Face masks for any type can provide you some protection against the pollutants in the environment. However, if your goal is to achieve maximum protection against harmful viruses, including the Covid-19 virus and its mutated strains, ordinary face masks or mask alternatives from silk face coverings to bandannas may not suffice. Genuine N95 masks continue to remain the gold standard as of today.

In a study published by Duke University, it was concluded that N95 masks are the most effective when it comes to stopping transmission of respiratory droplets produced by coughing and talking. While a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) persists, N95 masks are still available for individual purchase at a few online retailers.

How to Find Reliable N95 Mask Suppliers

You may have heard the news where several retailers were caught selling fake N95 masks to benefit from the growing demand of the product. If you are looking to buy genuine N95 masks for your employees, it is important to make sure the masks meet the N95 standards for filtering particles.

Here are a few ways you can make sure you are not getting scammed:

Check the retailer’s background: Do your homework and research the retailer you choose. Have they been selling PPE for at least 5 years? Are they registered in the health/medical sector? Do they have positive customer feedback?

Check the masks quality: N95 masks have key aspects that should be checked for quality:

Seals and joints: The section where both sides of the mask join should be solid; try pulling on them gently to see if the mask pieces come apart easily.

Straps: The mask should not be thinner or weaker where the straps join it. Pull on the straps gently to see if they easily snap off.

Nose piece: The metal bar in the nose piece should be stuck down to the mask properly and shouldn’t snap after a few bend.

If the straps, nose pieces, or seals break easily, then it’s a clear indication that the masks are low quality and don’t meet the NIOSH standards.

Ask for mask certifications: The best way to make sure you are getting the real deal is to get your hands on a particle counter to test the mask’s filtration capabilities yourself. However, if that’s not possible or you want to cover all the angles, you can also ask the retailer for certifications for the N95 mask.

Counterfeit or fake masks are falsely marketed as being approved by NIOSH. All genuine N95 masks and respirators have an approval label within or on the packing (i.e., within the users’ instructions or the box itself).

Why Trust Professional Fit Testing For Your PPE?

Looking to buy N95 masks from a supplier that you can trust for high standards, timely shipping, and affordable prices? Professional Fit Testing has built a reputation for being the leading supplier of genuine N95 masks and other PPE in the country. With over 13 years of experience as a PPE distributor, we know exactly what our customers may need: