At a glance
- Counterfeit and misrepresented filters may not be capable of providing the appropriate protection to workers and users.
- This page provides examples of counterfeit and misrepresented particulate filters.
Buyer beware
NIOSH has identified many filters sold on well-known online marketplaces claiming to be P100® filters that are not part of a NIOSH Approved® respirator configuration.
The examples above are counterfeit filters using the same part numbers associated with authentic NIOSH Approved 3M P100 filters. For example, many listings incorrectly or falsely claim these filters can be used with the 3M 6000 series facepieces.
One way to identify counterfeit P100 filters is by the missing information on the filters. The abbreviated label (i.e., markings) on NIOSH Approved P100 filters must indicate:
- The approval holder's name,
- Product model or trade name,
- Protections/filter series,
- Part number,
- The mark "NIOSH," and
- Lot number (location varies; could be on filter, packaging, user instructions).
Note that some or most of this mandatory information is missing from the counterfeit filters shown in the examples above. However, all of this information appears on the genuine NIOSH Approved P100 filters (examples below).
Some manufacturers/sellers that are not NIOSH approval holders may claim their filters are compatible with facepieces manufactured by NIOSH approval holders. Users cannot use these filters in place of the filter component associated with the NIOSH Approved respirator. If so, it will void the NIOSH approval and may not provide the claimed level of protection to the user.
Additional examples
Breath Buddy is NOT a NIOSH approval holder. They are falsely indicating product can be used with half and full facepieces made by other NIOSH approval manufacturers. The Breath Buddy Particulate Filter is NOT a component associated with a NIOSH approval. Users cannot use this filter in place of the filter component associated with the NIOSH Approved respiratory protective device. If so, it will void the NIOSH approval. (1/26/2022)
Moaron is NOT a NIOSH approval holder, and they are misrepresenting product as meeting NIOSH approval. The product listing claims the filter “meets NIOSH P100-series.”
NIOSH only approves whole respirator configurations, not individual components. The Moaron 2091 P100 filter is NOT a component associated with a NIOSH approval. Moaron is not a NIOSH approval holder; P100 is a registered certification mark owned by HHS. Therefore, Moaron does not have permission to use this certification mark.
Additionally, Moaron incorrectly advertises that it is compatible with other NIOSH Approved products. Users cannot use this filter in place of the filter component associated with the NIOSH Approved respiratory protective device. If so, it will void the NIOSH approval. (9/9/2021)
- NIOSH Approved is a certification mark of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) registered in the United States and several international jurisdictions.
- P100 is a certification mark of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) registered in the United States.