Published: Tuesday, April 01, 2003

All masks are not created equal when it comes to keeping out the virus believed to cause SARS -- and the simple rule to follow in finding the right one is to look for two straps.

While most industrial air masks look similar, only the N95 model, said by the U.S. government to keep out 95 per cent of particulates, works in keeping out most of the corona virus that is the main suspected cause of SARS.

The single-strap model, which is known as the RP1500, is good for "mowing the lawn or walking around polluted places," said Dan Shipp, president of the International Safety Equipment Association.

The Virginia-based association, which represents about 90 of the major manufacturers of safety equipment in North America, has noticed a spike in sales of N95 model air masks, but hasn't yet tracked actual numbers of masks sold.

The N95 is approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, a U.S. government agency that tests and certifies safety equipment. The NIOSH designation is also recognized in Canada.

"There is concern that this enormous, unexpected demand could create temporary shortages," said Shipp. "We know there are shortages now and it's a matter of geography and getting the product to where the demand is greatest."

The demand grew fastest in Ontario, where the first outbreak of SARS was reported in North America, and is now spreading into B.C., according to Shipp.

A number of manufacturers make the N95 model, including MSA (Mine Safety Appliances), North Safety Products and 3M.

The last time there was such a demand for N95 masks was right after Sept. 11, 2001, when anthrax scares had government workers and others donning the equipment.

N95 masks are most commonly used in industrial applications, such as construction work, where dust can be a problem, said Steve Yurchuk, inside sales coordinator for Treen Gloves & Safety Products Ltd. on Alexander Street.

Since last Thursday, the masks have been selling out rapidly in stores throughout the Lower Mainland.

A package of 10 masks sells for $8.

With supplies dwindling across North America, Treen had to pay its suppliers in cash or credit card to get additional boxes of masks shipped out.

"We are committed to keeping our existing customers happy and supplied," said Yurchuk. "We don't want our regulars to be without just because of this new demand."

In the past two weeks, Treen has sold about $150,000 worth of masks, with 60 per cent of the sales coming from new customers. That's three times his normal sales of masks.

Shawn Galloway, customer service accounts specialist with Levitt-Safety, an industrial safety equipment distributor with headquarters in Mississauga and offices in Richmond, said stores have been unable to keep the N95 in stock.

While the biggest customers traditionally have been Ontario Power and Scott Paper, the past two weeks have brought in a whole new customer base, Galloway said.

"We've had a lot of people call from Hong Kong and e-mails coming into our Web site from Asia asking if we can ship to them," he said. "At the moment, we just have too much of a demand at home to go abroad."

In the past week, 25,000 N95 masks have been sold to Toronto hospitals by Levitt-Safety.

The company has ordered 70,000 more masks and estimates it has sold 70,000 in the last two weeks.

Over a normal two-week period, Levitt-Safety would sell about 10,000 masks.

The N95 mask has three layers of filters, including one that contains charcoal filter.

With the increased demand, Galloway said the company is prioritizing its distribution to ensure health-care workers get the masks before others.

Galloway said Levitt-Safety employees are staying late and on weekends to make sure the increased demands are being met and are feeling some strain about the level of public concern.

"You can still feel sympathy and still know that a business is a business. We're not trying to gouge our customers; we haven't raised prices. We still sell everything at the same price we did last month and will sell it at the same price next month," Galloway said.

Global Virus© Vancouver Sun 2003

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