Back in 1945

During volcanic activity a fibrous material was drawn by vigorous wind from molten basaltic magma called Pete’s Hair. The event started the idea that became the same phenomenon that applies for melt blowing of polymers.

1950’s

The first research on melt blowing was a naval attempt in the USA to produce fine filtration materials for radiation measurements on drone aircraft in the 1950s.  Later, Exxon Corporation developed the first industrial process based on the melt blowing principle with high throughput levels.  

Fast Forward to 2018

China produces 40% of Melt Blown non-woven fabric in the world.  Another innovation developed by a great American Company, Exxon Corporation left behind and passed over to to China to take over production. Leaving China as the top producer of Melt Blown Fabrics today.

Covid 19 enters USA 2020

The Covid 19 virus either originated in a Wuhan wet market or a Wuhan Infectious Disease Laboratory in 2019, both in China, as we all know.  Today, China is the largest producer of this special Melt Blown raw material that is so critical to preventing the spread of moisture from human to human, which therefore also prevents the spread of the Respiratory Disease.   From our work at Med Supply US we have seen the cost of this raw material go up 15 times.  We have also seen Chinese shipping companies charging 7 times higher to ship goods then 6 months ago.  Do your own research.  We see it because we have to pay these bills.  If anyone is Gauging the World, it is the Chinese Melt Blown and Respirator Factories and the Shipping Companies.  The Chinese Economy has turned a complete 180 degrees all because of the Virus.  Factories are buzzing, shipping routes are over crowded and full and China is needed by the World once again.  

About Melt Blown Process By Wikipedia:

The porous non woven melt-blown fabrics can be used in the filtration of gaseous as well as liquid materials. These applications include water treatment, masks, air conditioning filter, etc.  Melt blowing is a conventional fabrication method of micro- and nanofibers where a polymer melt is extruded through small nozzles surrounded by high speed blowing gas. The randomly deposited fibers form a nonwoven sheet product applicable for filtration, sorbents, apparels and drug delivery systems. The substantial benefits of melt blowing are simplicity, high specific productivity and solvent-free operation.

The N95 Symbol represents the USA version of the 5 layer mask that consists of 2 inner layers of Melt Blown fabric and 3 outer layers of a spun blown or non woven fabric.

The KN95 Symbol represents the Chinese version of the 5 layer mask that consists of 2 inner layers of Melt Blown fabric and 3 outer layers of a spun blown or non woven fabric.

Both Respirator masks are made of the same material or else they are fake counterfeits.  Most N95 and KN95 Respirators are made in China.  If the factory is shipping to the USA the mask is stamped with the N95 symbol.  If it is staying domestic in China it is stamped with the KN95 symbol.  Both are virtually the same thing.  The only difference, if they are both official is psychological only.  They may very from factory by factory slightly, but they are only official if they are tested to have the 5 layers as previously outlined.  The FDA approved the use of the KN95 Respirator, because of the shortage of N95 Respirators.  The FDA knows they are they provide the same protection and there is no reason for an individual to not have protection because of a stamp.

As long as a KN95 and N95 have 2 inner layers of Melt Blown Fabric and 3 outer layer of spun blown or non woven fabric consisting of 5 total layers of the proper materials then both masks function and test the same.

The masks are virtually identical in performance to the N95 Respirators.

 With doctors, nurses and other health care workers facing acute shortages of protective masks, the Food and Drug Administration announced on Friday that it will allow use of a more widely available mask that meets Chinese standards instead of American ones.

Hospitals across the United States are running out of N95 masks, which filter at least 95 percent of particles that are 0.3 microns or larger, including the new coronavirus. N95 masks are tested and certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, or NIOSH, a research agency that is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

On Friday, the F.D.A. issued an emergency use authorization for KN95 masks. Regulated by the Chinese government, they are almost identical in performance to N95 masks. There are slightdifferences in their specifications, like a variation in the maximum pressure the masks must be able to withstand as a person inhales and exhales.

The C.D.C. lists KN95 masks as a suitable alternative when N95s are not available.

The F.D.A. said KN95 masks were eligible for authorization if they met certain criteria, including documentation that they were authentic.

But many hospitals have not been willing to order KN95 masks because of uncertainty over whether imports would be allowed into the United States, as well as potential liability if they turned out to be counterfeit. But for some institutions, that may be a worthwhile risk if the alternative is no masks.

The F.D.A. had on March 24 issued a similar authorization for non-NIOSH masks that met similar standards in other countries in Europe as well as Australia, Brazil, Japan, Korea and Mexico. But it left off China because of concerns about fraudulent masks.

Many N95 masks are also manufactured in China, and the Trump administration is trying to compel companies like 3M to send more of those to the United States.

One Chicago-based company, iPromo, says it has been in the KN95 importing business for a month. It had previously developed relationships with Chinese supplies for its main business, churning out custom logo-adorned promotional knickknacks like mugs, water bottles, USB flash drives and small containers of hand sanitizer.

The company’s website advertises KN95 masks at $2.96 apiece for hospitals, with delivery in five to seven days, although its minimum order is 1,000 masks.

More masks are available because coronavirus transmission in China has been reduced. “They have so much stock,” said Leo Friedman, the company’s chief executive, during an interview Thursday. “They ramped up and now it’s a perfect storm of inventory.”

He said that he understood the quandary the F.D.A. faced because of the danger of counterfeits, but that his company obtains safety certificates and lab reports from its suppliers.

“We have an opinion that these are of high enough quality to be used in Chinese hospitals,” he said of the masks his company is importing. “And the public can make their own deductions.”