N95 mask !

[Farang two dot zero]

Where to find very good original N95 masks in Thailand ?

I look for this kind of mask 3M Nexcare Respirator KN95  https://bit.ly/2Nj7vVg

Of course, that are not fakes !

Edited February 12, 2021 by Farang two dot zero

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

What makes you think the companies you listed manufacture actual N95 masks -- as opposed to the more basic medical type masks?

 

There are no Thai N95 mask brands that I'm aware of -- unless they're manufacturing them for other brands.

 

 

 

[Farang two dot zero]

1 minute ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

What makes you think the companies you listed manufacture actual N95 masks -- as opposed to the more basic medical type masks?

 

There are no Thai N95 mask brands that I'm aware of -- unless they're manufacturing them for other brands.

 

 

 

 

 

I look for this kind of mask 3M Nexcare Respirator KN95  https://bit.ly/2Nj7vVg

[internationalism]

I have bought my at macro and on the net (don't remember company name). Must be also at pharmacies, builder stores. If not shopee, than lazada, and from abroad ebay, amazon

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

6 minutes ago, Farang two dot zero said:

 

 

I look for this kind of mask 3M Nexcare Respirator KN95  https://bit.ly/2Nj7vVg

 

Ahh... OK... N95 and KN95 are not exactly the same in terms of their filtering/protective capability.

 

KN95 is the Chinese standard, and KN masks are typically manufactured and sold primarily is Asia...  Right now, FYI, there's also a huge problem with legitimate KN masks being counterfeited by unscrupulous manufacturers and sellers. Buyer beware.

 

It's been a long time, in my case just at the very beginning of the CV pandemic, that I've ever found any actual N95 masks for sale in Thailand or anywhere else.... since the supplies of authentic ones pretty much are still being reserved for hospital/medical use.

 

But....if you can find a legitimate KN95 mask from a reputable brand and seller, right now, that would be the next best thing.

 

 

 

Edited February 12, 2021 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[Farang two dot zero]

To sum up:

1) The N95 mask is American standard equivalent of European FFP2 mask.

2) KN95 masks, Chinese standards.

3) KF94 masks are the South Korean standard equivalent of the American N95.

 

You can order from the official 3M KF94 on shopee store  > https://bit.ly/3phgWl4

All these mask models filter a lot !

Edited February 12, 2021 by Farang two dot zero

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

19 minutes ago, Farang two dot zero said:

Is 3M KF94 a good option ?

https://bit.ly/3phgWl4

 Found this reference on a 3M document:

 

Note that in some countries, there are different respirator performance standards for occupational-use respirators and public-use respirators. For example, in Korea there are occupational-use (1st class) and public-use respirators (KF94). KF94 respirator performance standards are not considered to be equivalent to N95 or FFP2 respirators, while Korea 1st class respirators are.

 

https://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/1793278O/3m-anz-2020-respiratory-protection-faq-healthcare.pdf

 

The 95 or 94 references related to what level of filtration of PM2.5 content the mask is supposed to filter out, so in KN94 masks, it would be supposedly 94% -- assuming the mask is legitimate and not a counterfeit.

 

The product reviews on the Shopee site seem to be pretty good for that particular product and seller...from Thais.... who typically don't know much about the details of protective face masks.

 

But whenever I see a listing like that, I always wonder how a seller by the name of kokoribeauty manages to get their hands on a pretty hard to come by product.

 

In looking at the seller detail, translating the TH info in EN, it says the following:

 

H2B Health & Beauty (Kokori Beauty Official Account) Manthana Marketing Co., Ltd. is a distributor of 3M products (Nexcare, Futuro), KOBAYASHI, Hisamitsu, PS love, KOKORI and 24 famous brands from Japan. Food supplement Health and beauty products Goods for household and daily life 100% authentic product

 

 

Edited February 12, 2021 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[Farang two dot zero]

11 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 Found this reference on a 3M document:

 

Note that in some countries, there are different respirator performance standards for occupational-use respirators and public-use respirators. For example, in Korea there are occupational-use (1st class) and public-use respirators (KF94). KF94 respirator performance standards are not considered to be equivalent to N95 or FFP2 respirators, while Korea 1st class respirators are.

 

https://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/1793278O/3m-anz-2020-respiratory-protection-faq-healthcare.pdf

 

The 95 or 94 references related to what level of filtration of PM2.5 content the mask is supposed to filter out, so in KN94 masks, it would be supposedly 94% -- assuming the mask is legitimate and not a counterfeit.

 

 

Interesting but I found a contradictory version :

 

"KF94 is basically the South Korean equivalent of the N95"

A limited study published last year showed that KF94 was comparable to N95 in blocking SARS-CoV-2 particles. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32845196/

The KF94 is actually intended for public use. In Korea, they are often worn by ordinary citizens to filter dust or pollution.

Edited February 12, 2021 by Farang two dot zero

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

19 minutes ago, Farang two dot zero said:

Is 3M KF94 a good option ?

https://bit.ly/3phgWl4

 

What's your intended purpose in wearing/using the masks?

 

[Farang two dot zero]

You're right, the company has existed since 2013
https://www.matchlink.asia/business/page/Thailand/BANGKOK/22666-manthana-marketing-co-ltd.html

[Farang two dot zero]

7 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

What's your intended purpose in wearing/using the masks?

 

 

Protect yourself because we know that the surgical mask does not protect you but protects others !

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

17 minutes ago, Farang two dot zero said:

 

Interesting but I found a contradictory version :

 

"KF94 is basically the South Korean equivalent of the N95"

A limited study published last year showed that KF94 was comparable to N95 in blocking SARS-CoV-2 particles. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32845196/

 

This is what I understand...

 

The N95 and similar masks are rated/certified based on their ability to filter out tiny airborne particles such as PM2.5 air pollution.

 

In the current pandemic, when people nearby cough and sneeze, etc, I think generally the resulting particles that become airborne will tend to be somewhat larger than the PM2.5 type stuff.

 

So in regard to CV, as long as you've got quality filtering material in the mask AND the mask has a good tight fit to your face, it should be protective...

 

One of the other differences between the N95 and the KXX masks is the N95 masks typically have two straps, one that goes behind your neck and the other over your head, to ensure a tight/snug fit. Whereas the KXX masks in Asia are typically earloop strap models, which don't tend to fit as snugly, unless you use other means to improve their fit.

 

Edited February 12, 2021 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

3 minutes ago, Farang two dot zero said:

 

Protect yourself because we know that the surgical mask does not protect you but protects others !

 

I would think a legitimate, authentic KF94 or KN95 mask would be a considerable improvement over the typical drugstore type masks worn here and widely/cheaply available.  And helpful/protective from a CV perspective.

 

I've got some KN95 masks at home that I bought to help preserve my original supply of 3M N95 masks... And I wear them, and use a cheap/widely available behind the neck mask attachment to help improve their fit. That way, you can tighten them to get a custom fit.

 

Looks something like this (there are many different kinds and styles available--no shortages of these puppies):

 

 

 

[Farang two dot zero]

10 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

One of the other differences between the N95 and the KXX masks is the N95 masks typically have two straps, one that goes behind your neck and the other over your head, to ensure a tight/snug fit. Whereas the KXX masks in Asia are typically earloop strap models, which don't tend to fit as snugly, unless you use other means to improve their fit.

 

 

No, I live in Europe for now and there are FFP2 (N95) with 2 elastisks behind the ears and two on the head, we can find both !

[Farang two dot zero]

What you have to understand is that the N95 or KN95 or KF94 filter has over 94% virus particles so you practically risk nothing. The KN95 (KF94) mask would be for my girlfriend because she is afraid to take: the bus, the taxi in Thailand now !

Edited February 12, 2021 by Farang two dot zero

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

22 minutes ago, Farang two dot zero said:

 

Interesting but I found a contradictory version :

 

"KF94 is basically the South Korean equivalent of the N95"

A limited study published last year showed that KF94 was comparable to N95 in blocking SARS-CoV-2 particles. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32845196/

 

Thanks for that. Good info... Obviously, in that case, I'm pretty sure the researchers were using legitimate/quality KF94 masks...

 

But out in the big wide world, if you wanna see what's been going on with mask quality and counterfeiting issues, look at the following U.S. CDC page on such things and their testing results brand by brand of Chinese made masks.

 

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/respirators/testing/NonNIOSHresults.html

 

Scroll down and click the "plus" symbol to expand the section on "Respirator Assessment Results".  And then scroll down past the initial results on 3M products to see how the max and min filtering numbers are for various other Chinese made products.

 

 

[Farang two dot zero]

This Thai factory manufactures the same as in Europe but reserved for medical personnel https://www.irema.com/products/face-masks/respirator-face-masks-flat-fold/ 

For the CDC I already knew thank you, I myself wear the double mask recommended by the CDC while in Europe they do not recommend it these idiots !

Well all this does not tell me where to find real KN95 in Thailand !

Edited February 12, 2021 by Farang two dot zero

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

58 minutes ago, Farang two dot zero said:

3) KF94 masks are the South Korean standard equivalent of the American N95.

 

Not quite... The KF94 models, assuming legit, may be functionally equivalent for CV purposes. But for PM2.5 air pollution purposes, they're going to be a lower quality product.  Note the 3M manufacturer comment on that I quoted above.

 

But for the CV purpose your GF wants to use them for, yes, probably functionally equivalent.

 

Don't forget to remind her too -- hand washing and social distancing where possible... and don't touch the outside surface of the mask with her fingers (handle by the straps).

 

 

 

Edited February 12, 2021 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

10 minutes ago, Farang two dot zero said:

What you have to understand is that the N95 or KN95 or KF94 filter has over 94% virus particles so you practically risk nothing. The KN95 (KF94) mask would be for my girlfriend because she is afraid to take: the bus, the taxi in Thailand now !

 

Wearing one of those kinds of masks, assuming it's a legitimate non-counterfeit product, would certainly be good for that purpose.

 

But apart from buying and finding the product, it's also important the wearer understand how to properly fit the mask (tighten around their nose) ... and... that they can't be washed and shouldn't be reused more than a few times (depending on the length of wear) ...before being discarded.

 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Here's some info I came across lately in an AARP publication on a study done comparing various kinds of masks (some washable) and their filtering capabilities:

 

https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2020/face-masks-ranked.html

 

Want to know how your mask fares? You don’t need a team of Duke scientists and a high-powered laser to find out. A quick and easy way to tell if a mask is good at blocking particles is to pull it tightly and hold it up to the sky. “If you can see daylight through the mask, it’s not so good. Or if you can take it and blow really hard, and [your air] just goes right through, that’s not blocking much,” Westman says.

 

AND

 

https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2021/double-masking-against-covid.html

 

With the discovery of new, faster-spreading coronavirus strains in the U.S, it might be time to double down on face masks — literally — by wearing two at a time. Layering a cloth mask over a disposable medical procedure mask significantly boosts your protection against the coronavirus by ensuring a tighter fit against your face, a new study from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows.

 

 

One of the recommendations I've seen lately for people who are forced to use the so-called medical procedure masks (common maskks) is (as illustrated in the graphic above) to cross over and knot the ear loop straps at the edges, and tuck in the sides of the mask, in order to achieve a better face fit and avoid the big gaps around the edges.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

This study published in JAMA also looked at the filtering capabilities of different kinds of more commonly available masks, including some when used with various modifications:

 

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2774266

 

Results  The mean (SD) FFE of consumer grade masks tested on 1 adult male with no beard ranged from 79.0% (4.3%) to 26.5% (10.5%), with the 2-layer nylon mask having the highest FFE. Unmodified medical procedure masks with ear loops had a mean (SD) FFE of 38.5% (11.2%). All modifications evaluated in this study increased procedure mask FFE (range [SD], 60.3% [11.1%] to 80.2% [3.1%]), with a nylon hosiery sleeve placed over the procedure mask producing the greatest improvement.

 

FFE above refers to:

"The filtration efficiency refers to “the protection that masks offer to the wearer when exposed to others who may be infected,” and was assessed with a test aerosol of sodium chloride particles that were slightly smaller than individual SARS-CoV-2 virions.^3"

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's kind of interesting that the highest filtering result (80%) for these various consumer available type masks ended up being the one listed just above and to the right -- the medical procedure mask covered with a wraparound segment of nylon hoisery... All easily available, especially for a Thai woman...  But not sure how fashion conscious that's gonna be.... ????  Two other approaches above were very close at 78-79%.

 

The rubber bands approach above looks like it would be very uncomfortable and difficult to put on and take off.... But the dual layer, washable nylon mask approach shown above and its results look good, if you can find one with the much needed nose clip built-in (that greatly improves its filtering result vs not having a built-in nose clip on the same mask).

 

 

Edited February 12, 2021 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[KC 71]

12 hours ago, Farang two dot zero said:

 

Protect yourself because we know that the surgical mask does not protect you but protects others !

You can wear 3 , just to stay on the safe side

[connda]

I bought some on Lazada pre-Covid to use during the Northern Thailand burn season.  Then came the Covid craze.  You can still purchase them.  I'd suggest buying 3M masks.  When the arrive go the the 3M site and you can enter the serial numbers on the box to validate if they are genuine or not. 

Here's a link.  Take a pick.
https://www.lazada.co.th/catalog/?spm=a2o4m.searchlist.search.1.1300452f2uCLxr&q=n95 mask 3m&_keyori=ss&clickTrackInfo=textId--5840205994249185000__abId--154853__pvid--80e0dfbb-fdc0-469d-8b3f-38bf2b01015a&from=suggest_normal&sugg=n95 mask 3m_0_1

[Oldie]

I bought them here at Home Pro in Pattaya (3M). A friend of mine bought recently some on Lazada - 3M also. Awful fakes... Lazada should stop such sellers and not help them to make money with in the end dangerous because useless products. And even Lazada itself earns money with such products. In the end they are sadly not much better. 

[Farang two dot zero]

@TallGuyJohninBKK "Face masks are most effective when worn by all" says your article on www.aarp.org, they still have to be worn correctly and changed every 4 hours which I doubt from some people!

[Farang two dot zero]

2 hours ago, KC 71 said:

You can wear 3 , just to stay on the safe side

Wearing a surgical mask + an approved fabric mask is like wearing an N95 for a lower cost, I don't see what is wrong !

[Farang two dot zero]

2 hours ago, Oldie said:

I bought them here at Home Pro in Pattaya (3M). A friend of mine bought recently some on Lazada - 3M also. Awful fakes... Lazada should stop such sellers and not help them to make money with in the end dangerous because useless products. And even Lazada itself earns money with such products. In the end they are sadly not much better. 

Indeed, I think Shopee and Lazada are selling fakes !

What models did you buy from Home Pro ?

Is it this model : https://www.homepro.co.th/p/1166767

The 3M model is also on sale at Thaiwatsadu : https://bit.ly/3agKJpR

Edited February 13, 2021 by Farang two dot zero

[Oldie]

13 minutes ago, Farang two dot zero said:

Indeed, I think Shopee and Lazada are selling fakes !

What models did you buy from Home Pro ?

Is it this model : https://www.homepro.co.th/p/1166767

The 3M model is also on sale at Thaiwatsadu : https://bit.ly/3agKJpR

I have these below with valves and the same without valves. They were not cheap. I bought some of them a while ago for construction work. It's a bit hot with them and after halve an hour I have enough. But since the Corona numbers are so low I use now a cheap mask just to have one. Obviously there is no Corona here in Pattaya or even Chonburi - so at least the reports. 

 

In respect of selling fakes - I guess if I did the same (selling fakes myself or for others and this perhaps even in higher quantities) I would end up in jail pretty soon... I don't understand why nothing happens. The fakes looked like coffee filter paper and the 3M print on them was in a very bad print quality. But the box with several pieces in it looked pretty real. 

 

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/~/3M-8511-Respirator-with-Cool-Flow-Valve/?N=5002385+3294427693&rt=rud

[Farang two dot zero]

Finally I ordered the 3M on the Home Pro website !

I don't think Home Pro is having fun selling fake 3M ????

Edited February 15, 2021 by Farang two dot zero

[Farang two dot zero]

Ordered on the Home Pro website Saturday delivered today 4:30 pm !

 

Edited February 15, 2021 by Farang two dot zero