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KN95 Masks – US warehouse inventory in Texas and California
Texas and California are two of the many states in the US that are facing challenges with the resurgence of COVID-19. To help reduce the spread of the virus, Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is key to prevent the additional toll on human life and healthcare systems, especially in states that are seeing surges in cases among young people. Low cost US inventory of PPE in American warehouses is an advantage for volume buyers who seek to use the PPE or resell it.
Louisiana based PPE Source International has the experience and the ability to help end users, distributors, and resellers with Isolation Gown and Nitrile Glove inventory in California and Texas warehouses, as well as IR forehead thermometers, KN95 Medical Masks, and other PPE, including, civilian KN95 masks, and gel hand sanitizer in a range of sizes.
To order contact: Sales@PPESourceInternational.com
For more PPE, click here: Personal Protection Equipment and also click here for ultraviolet disinfection technology that includes options for duct integration in HVAC systems, portable UVC disinfection devices, and in room devices.
At GREENandSAVE, we welcome the opportunity to give updates to our readers on how your company may be assisting in the efforts to reduce the infections and overall spread of COVID-19. Please Contact Us.
Info/Trend on COVID-19: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/health-canada-issues-recall-of-some-kn95-masks-made-in-china-1.5568734
Health Canada has issued a recall of KN95 respirators manufactured by dozens of Chinese companies because they "pose a health and safety risk to end users."
In a bulletin issued to Canadian importers and distributors on Monday, Health Canada warned that some KN95 masks recently tested by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health "failed to meet 95 per cent filtration specifications." NIOSH, part of the U.S.-based Centers for Disease Control, is responsible for conducting research and making recommendations to prevent work-related injury and sickness.
"Health Canada cannot reasonably conclude that the benefits associated with having the KN95 Filtering Facepiece Respirator available in Canada, as currently labelled, outweigh the risks," the May 11 bulletin says.
The bulletin, titled Recall of KN95 Respirators, was sent to companies across Canada that are authorized to import or distribute supplies for use in hospitals or other health-care institutions. It notes that some of these companies may have imported and sold masks that have now been recalled.
The bulletin does not say how many KN95 masks have been imported to Canada. Read the full bulletin here.
For hospital workers in the COVID-19 pandemic, N95 masks have become the health-care standard in personal protective equipment because they are designed to filter out at least 95 per cent of airborne particles.
The recalled masks are made to the Chinese standard, KN95, which is also supposed to filter out more than 95 per cent of particulates. But NIOSH tests found that some masks filtered out as little as one per cent.
"Manufacturers of concern are only those that failed to meet 95 per cent filtration specifications," says the recall notice.
According to NIOSH, the company that manufactured this mask claimed it met the KN95 standard. Testing found that it blocked between one and eleven per cent of particulates. (NIOSH)
KN95 masks and the pandemic
According to Health Canada's website, it started authorizing the use of KN95 masks for medical purposes in light of the pandemic.
"To expand the availability of N95 respirators during the pandemic, equivalent alternate standards may also be acceptable …this includes both medical and commercial (non-medical) KN95... respirators," the site says.
Health Canada indicates the N95 and KN95 standards are similar "with respect to design, filtration, performance and materials standards." However, it says that "recent testing performed by the CDC resulted in concerns with some KN95 respirators (specifically those with ear loop design) that pose a difficulty in achieving a proper fit, which is essential for use."
Health Canada notes that by contrast the headband design on other KN95 masks offers a proper fit and seal. Ottawa also noted that some KN95 respirators failed to meet the 95 per cent filtration standard.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) made a decision similar to Health Canada's. It published a list of products produced by dozens of Chinese manufacturers declaring they "are no longer authorized."
The FDA started allowing the sale of the KN95 masks for medical use in the US since early April under an "emergency use authorization."
Millions of masks below standard
Despite the concern about the quality of many KN95 masks, Ottawa says "this action does not implicate KN95 respirators purchased by the Government of Canada and tested by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)."
It says that before it sends masks to front-line workers they are subjected to quality tests including a "visual inspection to check for defects in design and construction, and testing to confirm that they meet filtering specifications."
