Counterfeit products are constantly attempting to infiltrate the market. Thankfully, we have organizations and guidelines to keep you protected, especially as COVID-19 numbers begin to rise again.
A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is a safety document required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) that contains data about the physical properties of a particular hazardous substance. These sheets contain information to inform workers and aid emergency services.
For PPE such as face masks, an MSDS is crucial in determining what materials the mask is made of. Masks made of proper materials are reliable and trustworthy in their efficiency, whereas homemade or counterfeit products come with no guarantees. In your MSDS, provided by the supplier.
In standard face masks, you can expect the main ingredient to be polypropylene. N95 masks are made of the same material, but in an electrostatic non-woven capacity.
If you feel weary about whether or not the supplies you are purchasing are certified, ask for an MSDS. If you have questions about general workplace safety, OSHA provides a variety of resources to help you make informed choices, especially about masks.
