Smog is no longer exclusive to Hebei, Beijing, or Tianjin. Since the start of winter in 2013, persistent haze has spread across Jiangsu, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Henan, and Shandong, causing significant disruption to daily life. While the environmental impact is alarming, it has also led to a surge in mask sales. Despite this, food and drug regulators emphasize that masks are not just simple products—they directly affect people’s health and safety. Recent inspections by regulatory agencies in Jiangxi and Jiangsu have uncovered numerous substandard medical masks on the market, with some manufacturers cutting corners, using inferior materials, and mislabeling their products.
Daily protection has become a major concern, especially after past outbreaks like SARS, H1N1, and H7N9. Medical experts now recommend wearing masks during prolonged periods of haze to prevent inhalation of harmful particles. Dr. Lin Minggui from the PLA 309 Hospital explained that haze consists of fine particulate matter, including PM2.5, which can settle in the lungs over time and cause serious long-term damage. These tiny particles are hard to expel and may lead to reduced lung function or even pulmonary fibrosis. Therefore, minimizing outdoor exposure during smoggy days and using properly certified masks is crucial.
The mask market today offers a wide range of options—from fashion masks and gauze masks to medical-grade N95 and PM2.5-specific models. Prices vary from a few dollars to tens of dollars, but not all masks provide the same level of protection. According to regulators, masks are categorized into two main groups: general-use masks for everyday protection and medical masks, which are classified as medical devices. Consumers should be cautious, as ordinary dust masks are not designed for disease prevention and lack standardized quality controls. Medical masks, on the other hand, come in different levels of protection—surgical, protective, and standard—each with specific usage guidelines.
Despite China being the world's largest producer of masks, many domestic manufacturers still struggle with low-quality production and limited technological advancement. While some companies have developed high-end products, most remain small-scale with outdated methods. This leads to issues such as poor quality control, misleading labeling, and intense price competition. Additionally, China lacks comprehensive standards for mask classification and regulation, raising concerns about consumer safety. As demand for effective masks continues to grow, ensuring quality and transparency remains a critical challenge for both producers and regulators.
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