Based on this comparison, it is reasonable to consider China KN95, AS/NZ P2, Korea 1st Class, and Japan DS FFRs as “equivalent” to US NIOSH N95 and European FFP2 respirators, for filtering non-oil-based particles such as those resulting from wildfires, PM 2.5 air pollution, volcanic eruptions, or bioaerosols (e.g. viruses). However, prior to selecting a respirator, users should consult their local respiratory protection regulations and requirements or check with their local public health authorities for selection guidance.
|
Certification/ Class (Standard) |
N95 (NIOSH-42C FR84) |
FFP2 (EN 149-2001) |
KN95 (GB2626-20 06) |
P2 (AS/NZ 1716:2012) |
Korea 1st Class (KMOEL – 2017-64) |
DS (Japan JMHLW- Notification 214, 2018) |
|
Filter performance – (must be ≥ X% efficient) |
≥ 95% |
≥ 94% |
≥ 95% |
≥ 94% |
≥ 94% |
≥ 95% |
|
Test agent |
NaCl |
NaCl and paraffin oil |
NaCl |
NaCl |
NaCl and paraffin oil |
NaCl |
|
Flow rate |
85 L/min |
95 L/min |
85 L/min |
95 L/min |
95 L/min |
85 L/min |
|
Total inward leakage (TIL)* – tested on human subjects each performing exercises |
N/A |
≤ 8% leakage (arithmetic mean) |
≤ 8% leakage (arithmetic mean) |
≤ 8% leakage (individual and arithmetic mean) |
≤ 8% leakage (arithmetic mean) |
Inward Leakage measured and included in User Instructions |
|
Inhalation resistance – max pressure drop |
≤ 343 Pa |
≤ 70 Pa (at 30 L/min) ≤ 500 Pa (clogging) |
≤ 350 Pa |
≤ 70 Pa (at 30 L/min) |
≤ 70 Pa (at 30 L/min) |
≤ 70 Pa (w/valve) ≤ 50 Pa (no valve) |
|
Flow rate |
85 L/min |
Varied – see above |
85 L/min |
Varied – see above |
Varied – see above |
40 L/min |
|
Exhalation resistance – max pressure drop |
≤ 245 Pa |
≤ 300 Pa |
≤ 250 Pa |
≤ 120 Pa |
≤ 300 Pa |
≤ 70 Pa (w/valve) ≤ 50 Pa (no valve) |
|
Flow rate |
85 L/min |
160 L/min |
85 L/min |
85 L/min |
160 L/min |
40 L/min |
|
Exhalation valve leakage requirement |
Leak rate ≤ 30 mL/min |
N/A |
Depressurizatio n to 0 Pa ≥ 20 sec |
Leak rate ≤ 30 mL/min |
visual inspection after 300 L /min for 30 sec |
Depressurizatio n to 0 Pa ≥ 15 sec |
|
Force applied |
-245 Pa |
N/A |
-1180 Pa |
-250 Pa |
N/A |
-1,470 Pa |
|
CO2 clearance requirement |
N/A |
≤1% |
≤ 1% |
≤1% |
≤ 1% |
≤ 1% |
*Japan JMHLW-Notification 214 requires an Inward Leakage test rather than a TIL test.
Kathy Wiederholt (verified owner) –
These fit both my husband and myself pretty well. His face is rounder and mine is rectangular w a pointy chin. We are middle 50s Caucasian and not chubby but not fit, lol. Had to adjust the nose wire a little so that the air did not come up by my eyes but probably a standard thing and I was able to do it. When we tried talking, the mask moved down our noses, so beware of that. We like the little hooks that keep the mask tight behind your head and saves your ears. I think these will be fine for longer times when you want to be more careful.
Dave (verified owner) –
Different people will prefer different styles of masks. These fit me much more comfortably than any of the KN95s my family has tried. My spouse still prefers KN95s. Such is life. I work in public transit, but am not always on the frontline. I wear the mask without the behind-the-head “S” clip for everyday office work (unless I’m in a long meeting). In that form the thicker, softer elastic loops are comfortable on the ears and still give a good seal. When I head to front line, I add the “S” clip which pulls the loops tighter, but places the pressure on the back of the head/neck (rather than the ears) and the fit is much more air-tight, but still comfortable for me. Do know that once you “S” clip a mask, it stretches out the loops enough that wearing it without the clip afterwards does not provide as tight of a seal as before the “S” clip was used. Most important, these are definitely the “real deal” in an ocean of fake N95 and KN95s. Shipping was quick too.