FDA Announces: Stop Using Certain N95 Respirators Manufactured by Shanghai Dasheng - Letter to Health Care Providers

 In the continuing struggle for healthcare providers to keep patients and staff safe, one of the most important ways to do so is by using N95 Respirators.  With Covid-19 being airborne and transferred by breathing in viral particles that are floating in the air, respirators can provide protection.

Now comes word from the FDA, that some of these devices may not provide the protection that is needed.  Here is the announcement from the FDA:

Announcement from FDA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is alerting health care facility risk managers, procurement staff, and health care personnel to stop using certain N95 respirators manufactured by Shanghai Dasheng Health Products Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (Shanghai Dasheng). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) revoked all respirator approvals previously issued to Shanghai Dasheng because the company did not implement, maintain, and control a quality management system. All previously authorized Shanghai Dasheng respirators are no longer authorized for emergency use as a result of the loss of NIOSH-approval.  

How to Identify Affected N95 Respirators 

Affected respirators can be identified by referring to the NIOSH approval numbers below and using the label reference from NIOSH.  Respirators marked with a NIOSH approval label that includes any of the approval numbers listed below are no longer NIOSH-approved. In addition, respirators manufactured by Shanghai Dasheng and marketed using another brand name that include any of the approval numbers below are no longer NIOSH-approved:  

TC-84A-4329, TC-84A-4330, TC-84A-4331, TC-84A-4332, TC-84A-4334, TC-84A-4335, TC-84A-4336, TC-84A-4337, TC-84A-4398, TC-84A-4399, TC-84A-4400, TC-84A-4401, TC-84A-4463, TC-84A-4464, TC-84A-4465, TC-84A-4466, TC-84A-4467, TC-84A-4468, TC-84A-4469, TC-84A-4470, TC-84A-4471, TC-84A-4472, TC-84A-4473, TC-84A-4483, TC-84A-4484, TC-84A-4485, TC-84A-4486, TC-84A-4487, TC-84A-8150, TC-84A-8425, TC-84A-8543, TC-84A-8544, TC-84A-8545, TC-84A-8546, TC-84A-8547, TC-84A-8634, TC-84A-8635, and TC-84A-8636.  

Recommendations 

The FDA recommends health care facility risk managers, procurement staff, and health care personnel to:   

• In accordance with the CDC’s recommendation, stop using N95 respirators manufactured by Shanghai Dasheng and intended for emergency use (including those bearing other brand names). 

• Replace any Shanghai Dasheng respirators with respirators approved by NIOSH that are found on the NIOSH Certified Equipment List. Respirators on the NIOSH Certified Equipment List are authorized under the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for NIOSH-Approved Air Purifying Respirators for Use in Health Care Settings During Response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. 

• Contact group purchasing organizations, distributors, and state or regional resources if you are having difficulty obtaining NIOSH-approved respirators through existing vendors. 

• Report any issues with the quality or performance of respirators to the FDA.  See “Reporting Problems to the FDA” below. 

Background 

An N95 respirator is a respiratory protective device designed to achieve a very close facial fit and very efficient filtration of airborne particles.  The edges of the respirator are designed to form a seal around the nose and mouth. 

FDA Actions 

The FDA is alerting health care facility risk managers, procurement staff, and health care personnel about serious concerns with the quality of certain N95 respirators manufactured by Shanghai Dasheng. The FDA is assessing the extent of the concerns and is working with NIOSH to understand and address the issue. 

The FDA will continue to keep health care providers and the public informed as significant new information becomes available.