Purakamasks - ASTM F3502 Bulk Masks Review

Under the oversight of the NIOSH division of the CDC, the American Society of Materials and Testing International (ASTM) created this new national standard for general-use face coverings. I am a member of the ASTM F23.65 subcommittee that drafted the standard (although I am contacting you as a private individual as I do not represent the ASTM). For full transparency, I am also the inventor of barrier face covering (which is in the process of complying with the testing requirements of F3502:21 before it is put on sale).

One of the stated purposes of F3502 Masks requirement is to “establish a national standard baseline for a source control device…by specifying minimum design, performance, and testing requirements and allowing comparison of products by end users where current guidelines have been limited.” Further, the rationale stated in its draft is to provide “ a level playing field for demonstration of product claims and avoid the general confusion related to barrier face covering effectiveness with the contemplated need for pandemic and other infectious particulate exposure event applications.” (Emphasis added.)

ASTM International is a standards writing organization; it does not have the ability or assets sufficient to investigate and enforce misleading or inaccurate claims of adherence or conformity to, or compliance with, our standards. ASTM does not investigate or get involved with claims that a product meets an ASTM standard, is certified to an ASTM standard or have been tested to an ASTM standard.