What’s the difference between P2, N95 and KN95 face masks?
The difference lies in the testing requirements for each country of origin. P2 masks adhere to European testing requirements, KN95 to Chinese requirements and N95 masks follow US guidelines. All offer nearly the same level of protection, according to a study by respirator company 3M.
| Certification/Class | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Filter performance
|
≥ 95%
|
≥ 95%
|
≥ 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)
|
N/A
|
≤ 8% leakage
|
≤ 8% leakage
|
≤ 8% leakage
|
≤ 8% leakage
|
Inward Leakage measured and included in User Instructions
|
|
Inhalation resistance
|
≤ 343 Pa
|
≤ 70 Pa (at 30L/min)
≤ 240 Pa (at 95 L/min) ≤ 500 Pa (clogging) |
≤ 350 Pa
|
≤ 70 Pa (at 30L/min)
≤ 240 Pa (at 95L/min) |
≤ 70 Pa (at 30L/min)
≤ 240 Pa (at 95L/min) |
≤ 70 Pa (w/valve)
≤ 50 Pa (no valve) |
|
Flow rate
|
85L/min
|
Varied – see
above |
85L/min
|
Varied – see
above |
Varied – see
above |
40L/min
|
|
Exhalation resistance
|
≤ 245 Pa
|
≤ 300 Pa
|
≤ 250 Pa
|
≤ 120 Pa
|
≤ 300 Pa
|
≤ 70 Pa (w/valve) ≤ 50 Pa (no valve)
|
|
Flow rate
|
85L/min
|
160L/min
|
85L/min
|
85L/min
|
160L/min
|
40L/min
|
|
Exhalation valve leakage requirement
|
Leak rate ≤ 30mL/min
|
N/A
|
Depressurization to 0 Pa ≥ 20 sec
|
Leak rate ≤ 30mL/min
|
Visual inspection after 300L /min for 30 sec
|
Depressurization to 0 Pa ≥ 15sec
|
|
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%
|