Right now, if you search for N95s on Google Shopping, you get a blank page. The N95 was in high demand at the onset of the pandemic, but back then experts urged … What wondering what the little silver things were, around the 5 min mark he explains those are the test ports he has added to test efficiency. NIOSH certifies something called a “surgical N95,” an N95 that doubles as a surgical mask. The manufacturer is listed as Guangzhou Nan Xi Non-Woven, which is listed on the FDA whitelist with a link to testing info. I noticed recently that the masks I received from SourceOrtho appear to have slight visible differences from the masks in the test pictures. They don’t have the manufacturer name printed on each individual mask, and the place where the ear loops attached looks a tiny bit different. Aaron is an extremely knowledgeable sales agent. Unfortunately, a year into this pandemic, N95s—especially those made by 3M—are still hard to get. Also, American companies can be sued by consumers they wrong. And, in theory, then, KN95s should filter out 95 percent of particles too, but, quality control has been a real problem (more on that below). “At the time, we learned, if this happens again, we need to have really good masks; you know, an N95 for everyone,” he says. There's no mask collapse to the face." 5 reviews of Be Healthy "This place has all kinds of KF94 masks from Korea. When Aaron Collins sat down to talk, he’d just come from fitting workers at his child’s daycare with high-quality masks. Sure, the mask that makes you look like a cat is cute. While he was already two years into the process of learning about mask approvals when the pandemic hit, he says he’s been dismayed at how an “anything goes” attitude pervades the mask industry. What showed up was not that. The problem, however, has been quality control. Fit is important for efficacy, so you need to find an option that will work with your face size and shape. Aaron Collins Design is a graphic design business established in 1992. Confidence in protection knowing it is a KF-94. I went back to the listing to have another look. Beautiful black mask, comfortable and high-filtration and protection. It now has a list of tested masks that have been separated out by legit masks and suspected counterfeits. I have 2 kids and all this info really helps! I mean, these masks I’m checking are all at 99 percent-plus filtration efficiency.” It should also have the red, white, and blue seal of the Korean government or the text 식약처 허가, which means Ministry of Food and Drug Safety approved. We're currently under restrictions but things have started to be lifted and I think I'm gonna need a mask now rather than just a face covering, Thanks Aaron! It has been so helpful for me and my family. BARTON, N.Y. (WETM) – New York State Police at Owego have arrested Aaron G. Collins, 32 of Barton, as a fugitive from justice in Pennsylvania on attempted criminal homicide charges after he a… The difference between the KN95 and the KF94 is that the South Korean government’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety rigorously tests and oversees the manufacture and distribution of KF94 masks. I wanted to add Shop it: Banana Republic Face Mask 3-Pack, $12 for 3 masks (was $25), bananarepublic.com. My attempt to buy KF94 masks shows precisely that. In April of last year, the FDA issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for face masks to increase the supply for the public and healthcare professionals. 18 Hand Sanitizers That Are Actually Effective at Killing Germs, 10 Vaccine Accessories You'll Need Once You Get Your Shot, Mophie's UV Sanitizer With Wireless Charging Is a Techie Germaphobe's Dream. When Aaron Collins sat down to talk, he’d just come from fitting workers at his child’s daycare with high-quality masks. Thanks again. It should be in the TC-XXX-XXXX format. Because there’s so little info available about many of the masks Americans have been purchasing (or making) during the pandemic, Collins’ videos have garnered a loyal following. Armbrust, meanwhile, suggests buying American if you can. Thanks for posting on r/Masks4All! Under the EUA, masks must be tested by an accredited lab and are subject to random tests by the FDA. The Best Protection: When Aaron Collins sat down to talk, he’d just come from fitting workers at his child’s daycare with high-quality masks. mr. collins’ full testing … He said they were skeptical at first, but he convinced them it would be a good way to market themselves to parents who are anxious about the coronavirus. First, thanks for all this. ... My initial search brought me to them because I watched a video from Aaron Collins, ... After that, I watched more of Aaron's videos (he sources his masks … KN95 is a Chinese particulate standard. Because South Korea had a number of SARS cases back in the early 2000s, the South Korean government “came up with a standard of like, how would you put masks on the general population in the case of a pandemic,” Collins explains. Could not have been happier with Aaron Collins. I should know, I purchased what I thought were KF94 masks online two weeks ago. He’s ordered several masks from BeHealthyUSA, New Jersey-based store that, until very recently, was known for importing Korean beauty products. mr. collins is an aerosol scientist and personally tests particle filtration, wear, and provides solid advice on choosing an appropriate protective mask. A few visual cues can help. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, This Inflatable Chair Comes With LED Lights, The Best Memorial Day Mattress Sales on Now, Amazon and Wayfair Deals on Grills and Accessories, Pringles Has New Wendy's Spicy Chicken Chips, The Mountain Dew Baja Blast Colada Freeze Is Here, Rothy’s Is Now Making Men’s Sneakers and Loafers, Skittles Just Unveiled a New All-Lime Pack, Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal Oatmeal Is Here, Created by Bridget Clegg using images from Getty Images, Amazon. Armbrust says there are a few ways to tell if a mask is counterfeit—especially when you’re looking at N95s. But: With more contagious variants of the coronavirus now circulating in the U.S., it’s time to upgrade. The South Korean standard KF94 masks, on the other hand, performed better in testing than Collins expected—typically greater than 98 percent filtration efficiency. “And they’re not skirting by at 95 percent. He’s been testing masks in this bathroom and posting YouTube videos about their efficacy since this summer. NIOSH should also be stamped somewhere on the N95—though, this is easy for counterfeiters to fake, so it’s worth taking a stroll through NIOSH’s website, which shows recent examples of counterfeit N95s. And I was being paid to do that research for this story. Sale Price: $22.50. How to know you’re getting the real deal—and the highest level of protection. I really appreciate the information. Bought a Single Family home in 2020 in Tuckerton, NJ. Collins says he particularly likes the rigorous screening process for KF94 masks. Regular Price. AARON COLLINS: This mask here, this is a stamped right on it, KN95, and it looks just like this mask here, which has also stamped KN95 GB2626. The committee just released an international standard for non-medical protective face coverings for the general public, called F3502, which brands could apply to the packaging of approved masks. Further complicating things is that the FDA also regulates some masks—those used for medical purposes only, like surgical masks, while NIOSH traditionally covers masks used for construction and mining. If the packaging is in English, similarly, look for the words “certified by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, South Korea. Not to give you more of it but have you looked at CastleGrade masks? The problem, though, is that buying masks online is almost (almost) as fraught as online dating. Those are the gold-standard in the U.S., says Aaron Collins. I noticed recently that the masks I received from SourceOrtho appear to have slight visible differences from the masks in the test pictures. Lisa Birnbach - "5 Things" Podcast "In the world of mask couture, I have discovered the Airgami, which is engineered to be airtight. Because Amazon allows vendors to choose their own keyword search terms, it’s possible for a search result to not actually be the object you’re looking for. Second, it’s getting hot out, and my state is likely to keep its mask mandate for a very long time (plus, well, I’m responsible AND paranoid about stuff). Probably won't get around to testing any more KN95's for awhile but will keep my eye on them! Flat Fold N95 Respirator. Level Three Surgical Mask Pre-fit Score (Materials Only) Post-fit Score; Sample One: 91%: 11%: Sample Two: 92%: 77%: N95 Respirators. We have clients in Columbus and Marysville, Ohio as well as Indianapolis, Indiana and Minneapolis, Minnesota. I got to purchase on of those 3M’s but I got 9501’s earloop that you tested. You might also start your search by looking for Collins's top masks. Armbrust says he hasn't been allowed to sell his masks on Amazon since he registered with the FDA and his surgical masks are technically considered a medical device. Now it’s selling masks, and because the company owners had preexisting relationships in South Korea, there’s a better chance that product is actually coming from tightly-regulated South Korea and not China. The letter states that we have the capacity for manufacturing, we're willing, and we're able. I love Masklab masks, but they aren’t cool, temperature wise. mr. collins is an aerosol scientist and personally tests particle filtration, wear, and provides solid advice on choosing an appropriate protective mask. Does anyone know if there is an Aaron Collins equivalent for the UK? I decided to try this mask after reading Aaron Collins' mask reviews on Youtube. Collins's spreadsheet of brands he’s tested is a good place to start. If you have an N95 with ear loops, there's a higher likelihood it’s a fake. In a reaction to fake products and hoarding, Google and Facebook began flagging any ads advertising N95s. He is a mechanical engineer who has experience working with aerosols and does very detailed tests on filtration efficiency, pressure drop (ease of breathing) whether the mask collapses … Super grateful for what you do in this community. And I know Dr. Puri was tested by the CDC. However, what’s trickier is when the listing isn’t actually wrong, but it’s not 100 percent truthful either, like in my case. Hello /u/coll0412! In school, Collins remembers learning about the SARS and MERS outbreaks of the early 2000s. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. With counterfeit products, misleading marketing, and a real lack of any government oversight, it's a retail quagmire. Last week, the American Mask Manufactures Association launched a campaign to let the Biden Administration know that we're ready and up to the task of supplying high quality PPE to every American in the country. Mask tester Aaron Collins’ youtube channel shows a few of the tests. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, https://castlegrade.com/products/g-series-mask. Mask Testing and Review. I definitely want to pick up some more KN95s and these sound nice. He said they were skeptical at first, but he convinced them it … Unfortunately, the site is in Korean and doesn’t mesh with Google Translate. Fake N95 and KN95 masks are (unfortunately) a thing. If you scroll the spreadsheet all the way to the right side, you’ll see links to trusted suppliers for each tested mask: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WE5Uo3F2TdU. Specialties: Graphic Design Web Design Architectural Design Residential Design Residential Renovation Established in 1992. If you think that this submission breaks any of the rules, please report it and/or contact us. The manufacturer is listed as Guangzhou Nan Xi Non-Woven, which is listed on the FDA whitelist with a link to testing info. It’s been wonderful to get some guidance (too bad about the 80 or so masks I have lying around from pre-mask-nerd days before I found your videos). Collins tests an Amazon KN95 mask. The US Face Mask Manufacturers Unite to Increase Capacity. If you go to the video’s YouTube page, he puts a link to the spreadsheet data from his testing in the description. We are only now getting our hands on KF94s because the South Korean government has closely tracked its supplies of the masks, ensuring it doesn’t run out, says Collins. There are now EUAs for masks made in the U.S., masks made in China, and masks made in other foreign countries. It fits me well, it has adjustable ear loops, is comfortable, and is easy to breathe through. N95 masks. I have a stupidly small face so I’m gonna check these kids ones out. As KF94s become popular in the U.S., there’s a strong likelihood counterfeit copies will crop up. for further kf94 information, the people’s ppe strongly recommends aaron collins’ masks reviews. Collins says every KF94 he’s tested has had KF94 printed on the packaging. For example, N95s should filter out 95 percent of all particles around .3 microns in size, says Eugenia O’Kelly, a Ph.D. candidate and principal investigator of the Respirator Protection Engineering Task Force at Cambridge University. The South Korean government keeps a database of all approved KF94 manufacturers. What could go wrong? The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication. Thank you you Aaron. The most effective masks against the new COVID strain: Experts Assembly Democratic Leader My "beard" is patchy at best and won't be a great test case. his independent testing has been invaluable in confirming that the masks recommended here are performing to their advertised standards. Collins tested several KN95s that registered in the low 80s for filtration efficiency—far less than the 95 percent efficiency advertised. To keep yourself from making my $64 mistake, learn the basics on how masks are classified, how online retailers work, and what to look for before you hit “add to cart.”. While the 3M N95 is the gold standard for health care workers in the U.S., several KF94 masks Collins tested performed better than N95 masks from brands other than 3M. I felt air around the mask, what is the next best option? This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. Masks are rated by how well they're supposed to filter out particles. This content is imported from YouTube. What mask expert Aaron Collins focused on were KF94s and Chinese-made KN95s. You rock! I really like the idea of an easy to wear reusable mask but would love to have someone validate their effectiveness. Big tech companies are not really helping the search for legit masks. I love the way it fits. John Schwartz. Unfortunately, this term doesn’t mean anything in America’s regulatory environment, says Collins. America wasn’t prepared for a world where every citizen would need good protection from an affordable mask. I stared bleary eyed at the FDA website tying to parse the different classifications before giving up and calling the FDA to ask for help. contagious variants of the coronavirus now circulating in the U.S. Respirator Protection Engineering Task Force, 13 Best Balaclavas for Ski Bums Everywhere, 10 Editor-Tested Face Masks That Actually Work, The Best Face Masks to Heal Acne-Prone Skin, Banish Blackheads With These Detoxifying Masks, Sheet Masks to Give Skin a Spa Treatment at Home. When I got the box, though, the term KF94 was not anywhere on it. ***We have a Discord where you can chat with other users in this community and have discussions. The third-party seller model used by sites like Amazon, eBay, and Etsy makes these retailers ripe for knock-offs or misleading listings. When N95s vanished from store shelves last March, many Americans ordered KN95s. The Nelson labs data had 45 mm H20 pressure drop(which is really high), most KF94's and good KN95's are in the 8-12 range. I’ll be vaccinated by mid-April but will still need comfortable and cool-as-possible masks. “The KF94 [certification] standard is really close to our N95 standard,” he says. Thank you for all of your hard work! “That’s what I do. Follow BestProducts.com on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest! If you buy something from the links on this page, we may earn a commission. The KF94, a mask that was cheap to produce but could reliably filter out 94 percent of particles, was born. Why trust us? Please read the rules! Regular Price. (Screengrab via Aaron Coliins/YouTube) “Every KF94 mask I’ve tested that has come out of South Korea has been legit, which is amazing to me,” Collins told Yahoo News. In 2018, after experiencing the horrific smoke from wildfires, Ansel founded Puraka. "In South Korea, if you put a KF94 stamp on your masks and don't meet the … My recommendation is if you are after maximum protection shave it. The six masks below (and the KF94s above) match those criteria. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links. Start by buying 2-3 of a couple varieties. I’m not sure whether these differences are significant, or just surperficial design things changed as the company ramped up global manufacturing. His advice is to buy KF94 masks from companies with direct importing relationships to South Korea. And he has an inside look at just how complicated the buying process can be—besides having two years of experience selling masks, he also worked in Amazon’s compliance office until 2020—so he knows a thing or two about how hard it can be to keep counterfeit or shady products out of your online shopping cart. The headband I found to be the better of the two. Were any others tested by the CDC too? While this potentially keeps illegitimate mask hawkers from being able to move their product, it also means real N95 manufacturers can't sell the inventory they do have. Aaron, any chance you will review the KN95 masks sold by SourceOrtho? N95 masks. The South Korean standard KF94 masks, on the other hand, performed better in testing than Collins expected—typically greater than 98 percent filtration efficiency. https://castlegrade.com/products/g-series-mask. Cheers! Once again thank you for all of the awesome info. You can join by clicking here! I searched “KF94 South Korea mask” on Amazon and the first result, which had lots of good reviews, seemed promising. Yeah the 9501's with earloops pulled too tight for me. He knows the are of Tuckerton Beach very well and has a personality that enhances the selling experience. But in early February of 2021 the agency updated the list of tested masks, saying that even its scientists could not always tell between counterfeit and real masks, and that some of the poor performers on its list could possibly be counterfeit versions of the masks regulators were hoping to test. If this is confusing, you’re not alone. And you can sell them for $2.50 in the U.S. “I spent $12,000 dollars on one test that took two months,” he says, adding that becoming an FDA-registered manufacturer was a vigorous process. Because ASTM sets standards for private industry, the hope is that it will help bring basic standards for daily wear masks that mask manufacturers will meet. For one thing, N95s almost always have around-the-head elastic straps, because these straps offer a better fit, and that’s a crucial part of NIOSH’s N95 testing process. The FDA approval—a step beyond EUA authorization—is significantly more stringent. To buy on Amazon, give the product a hard look, see if it's been tested by the CDC (and performed well), and check that it's not also on the CDC's list of potential counterfeits. Aaron, thank you so much for taking the time to do all of this for us. That would make it easy for U.S. customers to look up whether the brand they’re about to buy is legit. But unlike cloth and surgical masks, they seal against the wearer’s face and are designed to filter out small aerosol particles. A mask is better than no mask, and you can always double up with that cute cat mask. It happened. (Click for a spreadsheet of his results.). Hopefully I will get to go back to just videos of me riding my bike but doing what I can to help us get there. Although mask fit and seal varies on each face, Blue 3D black masks build quality are A+++. Last week, the American Mask Manufactures Association launched a campaign to let the Biden Administration know that we're ready and up to the task of supplying high quality PPE to every American in the country. Of course, a mask is only as good as its seal and everyone's face is different so YMMV. 3rd party tested by Aaron Collins, proved that the filter media (material) is at 99%. However, by May it had found that many of the masks that had been authorized under the EUA didn’t meet “expected performance standards.” Things have tightened up in the past few months. A community to discuss the best respiratory protection reasonably available to defend against COVID19. That's 2006, which is the test data … his independent testing has been invaluable in confirming that the masks recommended here are performing to their advertised standards. for further kf94 information, the people’s ppe strongly recommends aaron collins’ masks reviews. Any suggestions for actual masks made out of cooler materials? I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. But he also notes that to be an FDA-registered device manufacturer takes significantly more work than selling your mask under an Emergency Use Authorization. I found the Dr Puri Large to be too big. The N95 was in high demand at the onset of the pandemic, but back then experts urged … Collins tested several KN95s that registered in the low 80s for filtration efficiency—far less than the 95 percent efficiency advertised. When I read the whole listing, I realized that I had just assumed these were KF94s because a search for KF94s produced them as a result. Think of it like “super food.” It means nothing, really, since donuts are technically super (tasty) and also food. $45.00. These usually have some amount of splash protection for the wearer. ...Or at least resellers who should be avoided? With production ramped up in South Korea, the government is finally allowing exports. Contact: Aaron Collins: 608-512-8389 REP. HINTZ: STATEMENT ON STATEWIDE MASK MANDATE MADISON - Today, Governor Evers announced a statewide mask mandate aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19 following a recent rise in cases and hospitalizations statewide. The site may not work properly if you don't, If you do not update your browser, we suggest you visit, Press J to jump to the feed. In part, because, well, he has a vested interest in people buying American masks. The packaging was in Korean, and it promised that the box would come sealed in cellophane. If they fit well, then spring for the bulk pack. “In 2019 alone, we invested over $500 million and have more than 8,000 employees protecting our store from fraud and abuse,” said a spokesperson in a statement. He said they were skeptical at first, but he convinced them it … Asked about that, the spokesperson said that “Amazon requires that sellers provide accurate information on product detail pages and put processes in place to proactively block inaccurate claims about COVID-19 before they are published to our store.”. Break them open. So it's like 4 times as hard to breathe in than those. Amazon says it’s working to weed out counterfeit products and bad actors. - Aaron Collins, Mask Nerd. N95 masks are in a league of their own when it comes to fit, and this is by design. Lloyd Armbrust, who founded Armbrust American Masks, an Austin, Texas-based mask manufacturer, opted for getting true FDA approval, instead of slipping his surgical masks in under the EUA. Use the link below (under our rules) to join our Discord server! The piece-of-junk “medical” masks I wore last summer are good for hot weather but are probably largely symbolic. Aaron Ansel, founder of the Seattle, Washington-based mask company Puraka Masks, hopes another more clear-cut certification option is going to make things easier for consumers. Next: Look for the NIOSH TC approval number, which will be printed on the mask. But anything marked “medical grade” should be a red flag because this is not a term regulatory bodies are using in any meaningful way, says Collins. Small/Kids' Face Mask Multi-Pack Kit. Your breathing feels more natural, and somehow the ear loops feel better as well. If you’re a fake mask manufacturer, you’re just going to make money off this,” Collins says. Essential Filter 3 Pack Large. Thanks again AC! Ansel adds that he hasn't been able to advertise his masks or filters on Facebook, because the company essentially shut down mask advertisements. 50 Pack, 99.2% bacterial & particulate filtration to 0.1 microns. You can find a list of masks that have been authorized by the FDA under an EUA here. Ansel is serving on a new committee that is a partnership between ASTM (the American Society for Testing and Materials) and the National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory, which is part of the CDC. Is there a good place for shopping for either? The staffs were friendly and gave me mask samples for free. KF94s, therefore, promise to filter out 94 percent of particles around .3 microns. And if the masks you ordered look suspect but you need to take your dog to the vet? by Eddie Phanichkul March 8, 2021. The short answer is yes. “And as a student, you’re like, yeah right, that would never happen, modern technology will prevent [an out-of-control pandemic] from happening,” he adds. Play Video. It’s much harder to file a class-action overseas. Aaron Collins, a Minnesota-based mechanical engineer, who wrote his master’s thesis on the science of aerosols and calls himself a “citizen scientist,” has been reviewing masks on his YouTube channel since August. Oh, and it's black so it looks cool. A mechanical engineer by day, Collins’ master’s degree research focused on aerosols. mr. collins’ full testing … (Very weirdly, he found an Amazon ad for Armbrust masks on a website, and followed it through only to find the results were cheap, non-FDA registered masks.) “It costs less than forty-five cents to make [a counterfeit], maybe as low as twenty cents. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns. Didn't ever have to, they are going to be super hard to breathe in. One more tip: Buy new masks in small quantities when possible. It for sure reduces the effectiveness, and there are some journal articles that cover it. Looks like you're using new Reddit on an old browser. Collins turned his bathroom into a makeshift lab, using an aerosol generator to pump out tiny particles of salt and water. If you, like me, realize you’ve bought masks on Amazon that are not what you thought they’d be, you may be covered under Amazon’s A-to-Z guarantee. Each country has different standards for respirator masks, so unlike the N95s, these aren’t certified to U.S. standards. Aaron, any chance you will review the KN95 masks sold by SourceOrtho? And it’s clear we won’t have N95s for everyone anytime soon—so it’s time to look at other options. Since it became clear in early 2020 that Americans should be wearing masks, the CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) set to work testing N95s and KN95s—see the list and results here. ASTM Level 3 Surgical Mask. It has over 99% filtration efficiency, per Collins' tests, and appears to be very well made.