By Lisa Baertlein

LOS ANGELES (Reuters] – A rapidly-emerging Omicron variation has fueled U.S. curiosity in improved masks for kids to prevent COVID-19. That is fueling a domestic effort to monitor their quality.

The adult N95 Masks are Federally Regulated and are considered to be a Gold Standard. These masks were recommended by U.S. Health officials in January as a “better” option to prevent Omicron. There is no similar U.S.-regulated child-sized mask. Parents who are concerned about their children’s safety turned instead to smaller masks, made to South Korea’s KF94 and China’s N95 standards.

Although many schools and states in the United States have stopped mandating mask-wearing to prevent COVID, experts warn that children still require high-quality masks. This is because of the potential for serious illnesses and even death from seasonal flu or respiratory syncytial viruses (RSV).

“Every year, there are many opportunities for masks making a difference-whether it’s in school or daycare,” stated Dr. Steven Krug (an emergency physician and chairman of the American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Children and Disasters).

There are many sellers selling KF94 and KN95 masks for children on U.S. online shopping sites. Many sites aren’t authorized to sell these products and the U.S. government doesn’t approve of them.

Frausts have fertile soil.

Dr. Jennifer Nayak is an infectious disease specialist at the University of Rochester Medical Center. She told Reuters that she bought masks for her children on Amazon.com (NASDAQ.) and other websites. This prompted questions like “Is this real vs counterfeit?” What size is it?

South Korea’s KF94 standards are a stronghold in children’s safety masks. According to the health ministry, only authentic KF94s can be made in South Korea.

Behealthyusa.net was the American direct seller for BOTN KF94s made in South Korea. Reuters reported that the site had sold all of the small KF94 masks it offered during the Omicron surge.

Tony Chen of Los Angeles, a father to 8- and 11 year-olds started imports from South Korea. He was frustrated by the lackluster quality masks available at reasonable prices.

He said that Chen was referred to by parents with South Korean ties who recommended him to KF94 mask vendors there for children. The US allows him to fly masks duty free to his country under direct-to consumer shipping rules. This lowers the cost of flying to America to $4-7 per mask, as opposed to paying $1-3 on e-commerce websites.

Chen said, “I am just hoping that I break even,” Chen stated. Chen has already imported approximately 9,000 KF94s to children for many families since Jan. 1, and intends to continue doing so as long as necessary.

A few other organizations also do leg work for parents.

Project N95, which inspects all mask sellers back to their factory, runs a website offering a range of masks for kids, including KF94s in South Korea and KN95s out of China. It also offers specialty products manufactured by N95 legitimate N95 producers in the United States.

Anne Miller, Project N95 Executive Director, said that they often run out.

Miller stated that although there are fewer children’s masks produced by factories than for adults, the demand for smaller sizes for children is growing up to 15% per semaine.

LONG ROAD TO THE OVERSIGHT

N95 masks are certified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. They also inspect facilities where they are made. There is an effort underway to create a U.S. standard in high-filtration masks for children, which may allow for national oversight.

Aegle, a Texas mask manufacturer, and the University of Maryland Fischell Institute for Biomedical Devices design masks for children. They filter like N95s and are designed for small faces and smaller lungs. Andy Moy, chief executive of Aegle, plans to begin clinical trials at Washington’s Children’s National Hospital starting in April.

This standard will define the materials and dimensions of masks, as well as their filtration properties. The standard would then need to be adopted by a government agency or standards body. Moy explained that the federal agency needed to enforce this standard.

Moy stated, “Parents will only have the security they require if that happens.”

Lloyd Armbrust founded American Mask Manufacturer’s Association. He stated that to achieve success, one must be committed and subject to political pressure.

Armbrust stated that “these problems can be solved, but people need to take long enough care.”