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TimesLIVE reports that masks being used by thousands of SA health workers to protect themselves from Covid-19 infection have failed safety tests.
None of the 12 brands of KN95 masks tested at the University of Cape Town (UCT) offered the protection provided by the “gold standard” N95 mask, according to the results of a study published on Wednesday in the SA Medical Journal (SAMJ). KN95 masks - mainly made in China - have flooded into SA amid a pandemic-related worldwide shortage of the highly regulated N95 masks. Prof Keertan Dheda, the head of pulmonology at UCT's medical school, said he and his team at the Centre for Lung Infection and Immunity decided to test the KN95 masks amid “growing concern” about their quality and “circulation of counterfeit masks”. Examples of 12 brands were obtained from individuals, distributors and hospital doctors and they put three of each through a battery of tests alongside N95 masks and surgical masks. Concluding his SAMJ article reporting the results, Dheda wrote: “None of the 12 brands of KN95 masks tested [comprising 36 masks] met stipulated safety requirements known to prevent infection by dangerous respiratory pathogens including [tuberculosis] and SARS-CoV-2 [which causes Covid-19].” He made several recommendations, starting with stronger oversight by the SA Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra).
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Dave Chambers at TimesLIVE
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