SINGAPORE: A netizen took to social media after noticing on face masks that they were set to expire before the end of the year.
On Oct 14, free N95 masks began to be distributed to eligible Singaporeans because of the serious haze conditions that caused unhealthy levels of air pollution.
A member of the COMPLAINT SINGAPORE Facebook page posted a photo of the 3M Aura masks he had received, showing that the masks’ expiry date is Dec 12, 2026.
“Guess what I received today? Look at the expiry date 12 Dec 2026. Are they clearing old stock???” he wrote in the caption.
The commenters on his post were quick to remind him that since he’ll be using the masks pretty much right away, there’s no reason to worry.
“We need to use it now, isn't it? There's nothing wrong with clearing stocks if we need to use it immediately. Be grateful, not wasteful,” one wrote.
"Yes, they are clearing old stockpiles. First in, first out stocks. It's a common practice for life expiry items/products. You will be using them anyway, so validity is still good,” added another.
A Facebook user reminded him that the masks are not meant to be kept on standby, adding, “KN95 masks are sold out at a lot of places.”
Expiry dates on face masks
Face masks carry expiration dates of around three to five years from production because the components of the masks degrade over time, especially nose foams and elastic straps. These parts commonly degrade faster than filtering materials and may cause a decrease in filtration.
Additionally, the filter media of N95 or KN95 masks have an electrostatic charge that captures tiny airborne particles. Over time, the charge may decay or lose potency.
Face masks may still provide a significant amount of protection even after their expiry dates, especially if they have been stored in cool and dry places.
However, this is not the post author’s problem, as the commenters on his post pointed out. The masks he received are still within the time period when they are supposed to be effective, and neither he nor anyone else who received these masks should be otherwise concerned. /TISG
Read also: Free N95 masks for vulnerable individuals to mitigate haze’s negative health effects in Singapore