More and more people are turning to medical masks as a solution to protect their health from air pollution in big cities. However, not everyone knows how to recognize fake medical masks and the potential health risks of poor-quality medical masks.
Fake medical masks pose a potential risk to the health of users
Fake medical masks: Cheap bacteria place
Medical masks become more and more familiar and necessary every time they circulate in the city, especially with current heavy air pollution. The mask acts as a “mask” to protect the user from the harmful effects of the environment, so using a poor-quality mask can be harmful to health.
Previously, medical masks were only sold in pharmacies, but nowadays, cheap medical masks are being sold on the sidewalk. The medical masks sold here are very cheap, from 15,000 to 25,000 VND / box printed on the packaging originating from Malaysia, Korea or even Vietnam.
A medical mask that wants to ensure quality is usually made up of four layers that are effective against dust, germs and bacteria from the air. However, fake medical masks of unclear origin have a very sketchy texture and very thin fabric.
Doctor Le Huynh Mai, Head of General Planning Department of Ear, Nose Throat Hospital. Ho Chi Minh City, warned that fake masks of unknown origin sold on the sidewalk were made from unsecured material, not even treated aseptically, so they could contain a lot of bacteria and pathogens. threatens the health of consumers.
Fake medical masks are cheap bacteria drives
Because they are not sterile and are sewn from thin and poor quality materials, these floating medical masks are sold on the sidewalks or in reputable online shops. It causes many people to get acne, allergies or follicle infections. Therefore, doctors always advise consumers to buy genuine medical masks at reputable pharmacies to avoid these risks.
Quality is not guaranteed
Currently, all kinds of fake medical masks are widely sold on the market originating from domestic processing or imported at cheap prices from abroad like China. The medical masks have an unclear origin and poor quality causing many potential risks to the health of consumers. If people use fake medical masks often, they can suffer from respiratory diseases.
Most sellers claim that cheap medical masks sold floating around can prevent dust or even respiratory infections. But in fact, with the heavy air pollution in Hanoi, these masks have almost no protection against fine dust and ultra-fine dust. Even activated carbon masks priced from a few million dong are not very effective against fine dust.
Fake medical masks do not protect the respiratory system from air pollution
Moreover, medical masks that are sprayed with glue by the manufacturer to process activated carbon layer also do not protect health. strong. It is the colloidal particles that replace the activated carbon particles that lose the effect of this air filter. In addition, the glue used to fix activated carbon also makes medical masks smell bad, causing discomfort for users.
Formally, whether it is domestically produced or imported, it is difficult to distinguish. It is difficult for consumers to see with their eyes what real medical masks are and what are fake masks of poor quality.
How to distinguish real and fake medical masks
Besides how to wear medical masks, you also need to know how to distinguish real and fake medical masks. To recognize real medical masks, some people rely solely on perceptions to buy. However, as such, it is very easy to buy fake medical masks of poor quality.
According to experts, the simple way to recognize that quality medical mask is to test its durability. You slit the outermost layer of the mask, then pull the middle layer with your hand. If the mask is genuine, good quality, the antibacterial fabric or paper is very tough and difficult to tear. On the other hand, these medical masks have this layer made from plain paper, so it is easy to tear when pulling force.
The middle layer of fake medical masks is not durable and easily torn
Besides, another way to distinguish real and fake medical masks is to soak them in water. If it is a genuine medical mask that ensures quality, it will not be water-repellent and the fake mask will get wet immediately. Then, you can try tearing the mask, if it is a real one, the inner layer of paper will not be torn and if the product is poor quality, the paper in the middle will immediately fall off.
Imitation medical masks are easily water-permeable In short, fake medical masks are of poor quality, are poorly machined and are not disinfected so they can be harmful to the user. Only by the simple ways shared in the article, you will distinguish real medical masks to protect your own health.
