Recently, due to the coronavirus spread globally, the mask is in huge demand. In 2019  China mask production takes up more than 50% share in the global mask industry. During the first two months in 2020, more than 3000 companies set up new mask factories to help fight with the virus in China, and daily production improved from 20 million pcs per day to 100 million pcs per day. Now the virus is controlled in China, a lot of Chinese mask manufacturers are exporting their mask abroad to help other countries fight with the virus. But due to there are some difference between the countries’standard, many foreign customers are not familiar with Chinese mask standard, so here we will write several articles to help clarify some difference between different types of masks. Today is the first one, What is KN95 N95 FFP2 mask difference?

The common ground of these masks.

• Wearing mask is as important as washing hands and self-isolate to fight with the coronavirus. When you go to supermarket to buy food or go to crowd, no matter which one you wear, KN95/N95/FFP2 will be helpful to separate the bacteria and virus away from yourself.
• KN95/N95/FFP2 has same filtration efficiency.  According to USA FDA say: An N95 respirator is a respiratory protective device designed to achieve a very close facial fit and very efficient filtration of airborne particles. The ‘N95’ designation means that when subjected to careful testing, the respirator blocks at least 95 percent of very small (0.3 micron) test particles. KN95 mask also blocks at least 95% small (0.3 micron) particles, while FFP2 blocks at least 94% small particles(the 1% can be neglected)
• For common people, these masks are good enough to choose. These types are better than 3 layer surgical mask and other kinds of common masks. So the prices are much higher than 3 layer surgical mask.

What is KN95 N95 FFP2 mask difference?

The standards are different.

KN95 is one type mask of Chinese standard GB2626-2006, which consists of KN90,KN95, KN100 and KP90, KP95, KP100 etc types.

N95 is one type mask of USA standard, which is certified by NIOSH（National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health）

FFP2 is one type mask of Europe Union standard.

The usages are different

KN95 and GB2626-2006 is just for civil usage. Although it has at least 95% filtration efficiency, it doesn’t have the function of the fluid resistant. It cannot reduce the risk and exposure of blood or body fluid splash, So it is not suitable for the doctors who are in surgery operation. The doctors had better wear medical usage mask like surgical N95 mask. For common people, who are not in the environment like surgical doctors, KN95 is the best choice.

While GB2626-2006 KN95 is just for civil usage, the N95 covers two kinds of usage, which are civil usage and medical usage, customers need to distinguish the difference between these two usage by checking the package .

As for FFP2, due to it is not common in China, we will not write more about it, but it can also be analyzed by filtration efficiency and fluid resistant.

Conclusion

Whatever, self-isolate and going outside with mask are both important to help fight with the coronavirus. Whichever kind of mask you can find, you’d better wear one when you go outside.