N95 masks are the US standards for respirator masks; KN95 masks are the Chinese standards for masks. These are the requirements that the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health requires manufacturers to meet in order to label their masks as N95s. Despite the long list of differences, the two masks are equivalent or nearly equivalent on the features that most people care about.

• N95s and KN95s are both rated to capture 95% of particles, although only KN95 masks are required to pass fit tests. N95 masks have slightly stronger requirements for breathability.
• N95 masks have slightly stricter requirements for pressure drop while inhaling. That means they’re required to be slightly more breathable than KN95 masks.
• N95s also have slightly stricter requirements for pressure drop while exhaling, which should help with breathability.

The 3-ply surgical mask has been proven to be as effective as an N95 mask in preventing viral infections like influenza. 3 ply face mask also helps to reduce the spread of viruses, germs, and bacteria. Its three-ply material is made up of a melt-blown material placed between the non-woven fabric.

The biggest difference between a 3-ply surgical mask and an ordinary face mask is the melt-blown layer in a surgical mask. The melt-blown layer in a 3-ply surgical mask is essentially a filter, the droplets containing viruses will be electrostatically adsorbed on the surface and cannot infiltrate the mask. If your mask is properly fitted, the surgical mask will create a basic barrier between your mouth and nose and the viruses.

Tips to Test 3 Ply Mask

• 1. Visual Test If you cut open your mask, you should see a very obvious 3-layers. The 3 layers would typically consist of an outer hydrophobic non-woven layer (translucent), middle melt-blown layer (white), and an inner soft absorbent non-woven layer (green, blue, or white).


• 2. Non-flammability Test The middle layer of a surgical mask is a melt-blown fabric, not made with paper, therefore, if you light it with a flame, it will not burn like paper. Instead, it melts without flame.


• 3. Water-resistant Test The outer-most layer is designed to be waterproof. Pour some water onto the outer layer and you should be able to see that the mask repels water properly.


• 4. Electrostatic Adsorption Test There is an electrostatic effect in the melt-blown layer. If you tear the melt-blown layer into strips, you will feel the electrostatic adsorption effect, and you can also adsorb the melt-blown layer on stainless steel due to its large amount of electric charge.


• 5. Light Transmission Test The middle layer, which is used to trap bacteria from entering or exiting the mask, should not be too porous. This will ensure the mask can catch the percentage of bacteria it’s supposed to.


• 6. Breath Test 3-ply surgical mask is designed with a middle melt-blown layer that is critical as a filter to contain droplets by electrostatically adsorbing them on the surface hence it cannot infiltrate the mask; while the inner layer is intended to absorb water, sweat and spit. This will ensure extinguishing fire with your breath is highly impossible.


• 7. Absorbency Test The innermost layer is designed to absorb moisture such as saliva, mucus and sneeze droplets. This ensures when a user sneezes, the mask will be able to contain the droplets, which will not remain smeared on the wearer’s face.

Made from fabric or non-woven material which is also disposable but lacks a melt-blown filter layer, so these face masks are useless against haze, viruses, and bacteria.

Made from washable cotton or sponge that is reusable. They are mainly designed to protect against air pollution or pollen allergy, but useless against viruses and bacteria.