Frequently asked questions about 3M and COVID-19
Note: If you are a healthcare professional, please visit 3M Medical - PPE Information and Guidance for more information.
Top asked questions
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What are some key differences between a face covering, a surgical mask, and a respirator?
A non-medical face covering or face mask is not the same as a surgical mask or a respirator. During the COVID-19 outbreak, the U.S. CDC says surgical masks and respirators are critical supplies that should be reserved for health care workers and other first responders.
A non-medical face mask–such as a reusable cloth mask or a disposable mask–may help capture some respiratory droplets expelled by the wearer, which could help protect those around you as you breathe out, talk, cough, or sneeze.
Surgical masks are used by health care workers as a barrier to help protect them from high-velocity streams of liquids, such as blood, that they may be exposed to during certain medical procedures. Surgical masks also help capture some particles and droplets expelled by the wearer, such as those that may contain viruses and bacteria.
An N95 respirator or similar respirator is intended to seal tightly to the face, covering the mouth and nose, and can filter at least 95% of airborne particles, including those that may contain viruses and bacteria. N95 respirators play a crucial role for health care workers, first responders and other essential workers on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Who should wear a mask/face covering? Who should not wear a mask/face covering?
In addition to maintaining 6 feet of physical distance, the U.S. CDC currently recommends “wearing non-medical cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.” These face coverings are not the same as a surgical mask or a respirator.
According to the U.S. CDC, people who should not wear a face covering/mask include children under the age of 2, anyone who has trouble breathing or has a related health condition, and anyone who can't remove a face covering/mask without help.
Face coverings/masks are NOT a substitute for a government-approved respirator and should not be relied upon for respiratory protection (wearer exposure reduction).
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Which specific mask or respirator do you recommend for general public to use for protection from Coronavirus?
At this time, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have not made recommendations for respirator use by the general public. The CDC has recommended use of masks (not respirators) by members of the general public. More information on this can be found here.
As this is an evolving situation, we highly recommend that you consult local authorities and the WHO and CDC websites frequently for the most up-to-date information. Respirator use by the general public can be found here.
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How many N95 respirators is 3M producing in the U.S.?
We have taken additional measures to double our N95 and other respirator capacity again to 2 billion globally by the end of 2020. In the U.S., we expect to be producing them at a rate of 95 million per month by October, nearly doubling output from June.
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Where are those millions of N95 respirators you produce going?
Since the pandemic began, we have delivered nearly 100 million N95 respirators directly to hospitals in the U.S. and more than 100 million to FEMA and the U.S. Strategic National Stockpile. We have huge increases in demand for some of our products, and some health care facilities have increased their PPE consumption by up to 20 times. While we can deliver more PPE as we invest more in manufacturing infrastructure, the demand severely outstrips supply. We are making more respirators than ever before and doing all we can to meet the need.
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When will non-healthcare workers have access to N95 respirators?
We continue to prioritize critical health care needs while supporting the broader opening of the economy. We are working to distribute respirators for use by workers who are returning to the workplace, while ensuring front-line healthcare workers have the PPE they need to effectively respond to COVID-19. Please work with your employer to determine what PPE is suitable for your workplace and how to secure it through 3M authorized distributors and federal and state government agencies.
- Guidance on Returning to Work (U.S. OSHA)
- Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers Responding to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC)
- Evaluating the Need for Respirators during COVID-19 Pandemic – Non-healthcare Workplaces (3M Technical Bulletin)
- 3M COVID-19 technical resource webpage
- FEMA Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response webpage
- FEMA’s Guidance for Addressing PPE Needs in Non-Healthcare Setting
Purchasing and production
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Is a KN95 respirator the same as an N95 respirator?
KN95s are disposable respirators that are tested and certified to a China government standard (GB2626). The required filtration efficiency is very similar to that required for U.S. N95 disposable respirators; however, they are not approved by the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). There are some respirators that have both the U.S. NIOSH N95 and the China KN95 approval on the same model.
Many KN95 respirators have a construction called “vertical flatfold,” which is not as commonly seen in the U.S. These respirators are packaged flat, with a vertical fold down the middle, but open up into a cup shape.
While N95 respirators feature headbands, KN95 respirators may feature either headbands or ear loops.
KN95 respirators are typically designed to fit people with facial features common in China. As a result, some individuals with different facial features may not be able to achieve a satisfactory fit. U.S. workers may experience fit test pass rates that are lower than they are accustomed to. If a fit test cannot be conducted–or the wearer cannot pass a fit test–then these products should be used as a face covering/mask, not a respirator. If appropriate fit can be attained, KN95s can help reduce exposure to airborne particles at a level similar to N95 respirators.
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What should I look for in a non-medical reusable face covering or mask?
According to the U.S. CDC, here are some important things to look for in a non-medical reusable cloth face covering or mask:
- It should have two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric
- It should completely cover both the nose and mouth
- It should fit snugly against the side of your face and not have gaps
- It should not have exhalation valves or vents, which allow virus particles to escape
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Where can I buy 3M N95 respirators?
During this pandemic, we continue to rely on the healthcare supply chain distribution channel as this is best suited to reach customers in the most efficient manner. 3M recommends communicating and establishing your personal protection equipment needs, including respirators, masks and hand sanitizer, directly with your primary distributor.
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Where can I find 8612F and 8670F respirators?
Those two models were made available to the general public for a brief period during 2009-2010 only, and they were discontinued in 2013. 3M™ Health Care Particulate Respirator and Surgical Mask 1860 and Aura™ Health Care Particulate Respirator and Surgical Mask 1870+ are the current models that are similar to 8612F and 8670F. However, please note that 1860 and 1870+ are intended for use by Health Care professionals, not for the general public.
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How many N95 respirators is 3M producing globally?
We do not provide a break down by region, but we can tell you that we have taken additional measures to double our N95 and other respirator capacity again to 2 billion globally by the end of 2020.
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When will dentists have access to N95 respirators?
As we stabilize the PPE deliveries to hospitals, our next priority will be the health care workers facing new risks as they provide services in health care settings such as dentistry, non-emergency surgeries, and orthodontics. We are working to expand our PPE offerings to oral care professionals.
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How can people with critical medical conditions purchase N95 respirators?
According to the U.S. CDC’s guidance for people with underlying medical conditions, taking precautions when interacting with others is key. Precautions include wearing a cloth face covering in public settings but does not include using an N95 respirator as they are critical supplies that are being reserved for front-line healthcare workers and first responders. Learn more here.
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As teachers are going back to school, when will teachers have access to N95 respirators?
In the U.S., employers are required to assess the hazards and risks faced by their employees and take steps to maintain a safe work environment, including providing PPE where needed. According to the U.S. CDC’s guidance for schools, recommendations include face coverings as source control, but do not include PPE such as respirators. You can learn more here.
Additionally, we encourage you to review the guidance from relevant government agencies, such as the the U.S. OSHA Guidance on Returning to Work which may help you evaluate your decisions and better understand PPE requirements.
We are doing all we can to meet the extraordinary need for PPE created by this worldwide pandemic. Please work with your employer to determine what PPE is suitable for your workplace and how to secure it through 3M authorized distributors and federal and state government agencies
Additional resources provided by relevant government agencies:
- Guidance on Returning to Work (U.S. OSHA)
- Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers Responding to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC)
- Evaluating the Need for Respirators during COVID-19 Pandemic – Non-healthcare Workplaces (3M Technical Bulletin)
- 3M COVID-19 technical resource webpage
- FEMA Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response webpage
- FEMA’s Guidance for Addressing PPE Needs in Non-Healthcare Setting
Fraud, price gouging and counterfeit products
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What is 3M doing to combat price gouging and counterfeit PPE products?
We do not – and will not – tolerate price gouging, fraud, deception or other activities that unlawfully exploit the demand for critical 3M products during a pandemic. We’re working with law enforcement agencies around the world to aggressively pursue third parties that seek to take advantage of this crisis. We have also filed civil suits against certain price-gougers who have implied or stated an association with 3M; in those suits, we seek injunctions against further bad conduct as well as damages—any damages recovered will be donated to COVID-19 relief efforts. We’re also, in coordination with e-marketplace operators, making referrals to law enforcement authorities, taking down websites with fraudulent or counterfeit product offerings, removing false or deceptive social media pages, and sending cease and desist letters as a first step prior to taking further legal action.
We have created a new hotline for help in identifying authentic 3M products and ensuring products are from 3M authorized distributors. If you’re in the U.S. or Canada, please give us a call at 1-800-426-8688.
We have created a new hotline for help in identifying authentic 3M products and ensuring products are from 3M authorized distributors. If you’re in the US or Canada, please give us a call at 1-800-426-8688.
We have also created resources to help people avoid inflated prices, detect fraud, and identify counterfeit products. Please visit our COVID-19 Fraud website to learn more.
Additionally, if you have any concerns about potentially fraudulent activity please report them on our website linked here.
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How much does a single N95 respirator cost?
To help customers identify and avoid inflated prices, we have published current single-case list prices for the most common 3M N95 respirator models sold in the U.S.
Please view the N95 Respirator Pricing PDF linked here for more information.
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How can I differentiate genuine 3M respirators from counterfeit respirators?
We recommend purchasing our respirators from 3M authorized distributors, as that offers the greatest assurance that you will receive authentic 3M products. In other words, we do not recommend purchasing respirators from unknown sellers on multi-party internet e-commerce platforms. Here are some tips to help avoid counterfeit products:
- 3M respirators will be sold in 3M packaging, with model-specific user instructions accompanying the product
- 3M respirators should not be sold individually, or without packaging (including user instructions)
- 3M has strict quality standards, and therefore products that have missing straps, strange odors, blocked valves, misspelled words, etc. are likely not authentic 3M respirators
Please view Avoiding Counterfeit Respirators PDF linked here for more information on how to avoid purchasing counterfeit products.
Additionally, if you’re in the U.S. or Canada and you’re concerned about any potential fraudulent or counterfeit activity, please call us at 1-800-426-8688 or contact us via our website linked here.
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Has 3M raised prices for masks/respirators? How are you addressing price gouging?
We have not increased the prices we charge for respirators as a result of this global crisis, and we will not increase our current prices for respirators being used to help address the pandemic. We do not – and will not – tolerate price gouging, fraud, deception or other activities that unlawfully exploit the demand for critical 3M products during a pandemic. We’re working with law enforcement agencies around the world to aggressively pursue third parties that seek to take advantage of this crisis. We have also filed civil lawsuits against multiple price-gougers and bad actors who have implied or stated an association with 3M to defraud purchasers; in most of those lawsuits, we seek injunctions to stop further bad conduct. If we recover monetary damages, we will donate those to COVID-19 relief efforts. We’re also, in coordination with e-marketplace operators, making referrals to law enforcement authorities, taking down websites with fraudulent or counterfeit product offerings, removing false or deceptive social media pages, and sending cease and desist letters as a first step prior to taking further legal action.
Please visit our COVID-19 Fraud website for more information.
Additionally, if you’re in the U.S. or Canada and you’re concerned about any potential fraudulent or counterfeit activity, please contact us via our website linked here.
Product use and shelf life
Note: If you are a healthcare professional, please visit 3M Medical - PPE Information and Guidance for more information
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Which reusable respirator and cartridge/filter does 3M recommend for healthcare workers interacting with COVID-19 patients?
When properly selected and worn, any of 3M’s elastomeric respirator facepieces – when used with an appropriate particulate filter – will help reduce exposure to airborne droplets or aerosols, including those that may contain virus or bacteria. Our half facepiece reusable respirator options include the 6000 Series, 6500 Series, or 7500 Series. All of these would require separate eye protection, per the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Please note that our full facepiece respirators feature integrated eye protection. Additionally, you’d need to select an appropriate particulate filter, and one such option is our 6092X-series cartridges and 7000-series particulate filters, which feature hard cases that can be wiped down as part of your facility's infection prevention and disinfection protocols.
Additional Resources:
- Possible Alternatives to Surgical Filtering Facepiece Respirators for Healthcare PDF
- Cleaning and Disinfecting 3M Reusable Elastomeric Half and Full Facepiece Respirators following Potential Exposure to Coronaviruses
- Possible Alternatives to Surgical Filtering Facepiece Respirators for Healthcare PDF
- Portfolio Technical Information Matrix
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What other alternatives are there to surgical N95 respirators?
For more information on possible alternatives to surgical N95 respirators, please visit the Possible Alternatives to Surgical Filtering Facepiece Respirators for Healthcare PDF linked here.
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Can 3M respirators be re-used?
More information on this can be found in our Respiratory Protection FAQ for General Public PDF linked here.
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How long can I wear a mask or respirator for? Is there a time limit?
Please review our Respiratory Protection FAQ for General Public PDF linked here for additional important details on respirators, but in general, filtering facepiece respirators can be worn until they are dirty, damaged or difficult to breathe through.
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Learn how 3M is helping the world respond to COVID-19.
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3M Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Considerations for COVID-19