ASSOCIATIONINSIGHT
Portable Sanitation Association International News
BIWEEKLY EDITION JUNE 10, 2020
Page 18
COVID-19 and Portable Sanitation Topic Round Up…continued from page 17
NIOSH-approved FFRs will always have one the following designations: N95, N99, N100, R95, R99, R100, P95,
P99, P100. Signs that a mask or respirator may be counterfeit include:
» No markings at all on the filtering face-piece respirator
» No approval (TC) number on
filtering face-piece respirator or
headband
» No NIOSH markings
» NIOSH spelled incorrectly
» Presence of decorative fabric or
other decorative add-ons (e.g.,
sequins)
» Claims the mask is approved for
children (NIOSH does not approve any type of respiratory protection for children)
» Filtering face-piece respirator has ear loops instead of headbands
» Here are additional tips for spotting counterfeit products before you buy.
• The FDA has changed its policy on reuse of certain N-95 masks from China. On Sunday, June 7 the Food
and Drug Administration changed its policy on decontamination of N95 masks. The F.D.A. announcement
said that testing by NIOSH, part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has shown that some
respirators manufactured in China may "vary in their design and performance." If you are re-using N-95 masks
manufactured in China, review the new guidance.
• Don't believe everything you hear. Scientists are learning more about COVID-19 every day, and sometimes
what makes it to the media isn't accurate. While it may still change here is what experts believe right now:
» People without symptoms can transmit the virus. This week a doctor from the World Health Organization
(WHO) made a comment to suggest otherwise, but that appears to be premature. Most experts still believe
asymptomatic carriers present the greatest danger to others.
Studies have shown that patients who have been infected with the virus but are not yet showing symptoms
may significantly contribute to the spread of the virus. What isn't known is exactly how that works or what
proportion of cases originated with pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic people. The WHO doctor later
walked back her remarks.
» Adjust your behavior based on where
you live. In some areas, cases and
transmissions are down. In others, they
are way up. Currently the fastest growth
in cases is in rural areas that had not
seen much activity at the beginning
of the pandemic. It is also unclear
how the recent protests and lack of
social distancing will affect cases in
more populated areas. If you are living
and working in an area where cases
are climbing, adjust your precautions
accordingly. v
