[VIDEO] Australian Health Workers May Be Using Fake N95 Masks, at Risk of Contracting Coronavirus

The health of Australian doctors and nurses treating COVID-19 patients may be at risk as fake N95 masks circulate across the country, an expert claims in an alarming video.

Independent health consultant Kate Cole posted a video showing just how frail China-made personal protective equipment (PPE) can be. In a demonstration, Cole removed the face mask strap with minimal force.

Australian health workers treating COVID-19 patients may be using fake N95 masks

Aside from hospitals, Cole also claimed that substandard masks were also being sold at stores like Bunnings, Chemist Warehouse, and Chemist Direct. She said on Twitter she checked out the KN95 face masks sold at Bunnings. "True KN95 masks are certified to Chinese Std GB2626 which has a requirement that the straps are able to withstand 10N of force," said Cole.

She added that she may "just got really strong or someone did zero due diligence in the purchasing [department]" as straps snapped immediately. Meanwhile, Bunnings denied Cole's claims in a statement sent to Daily Mail Australia.

"This particular product complies with all necessary standards and we have had very low product returns on it to date," said Bunnings' category manager Ben Shanley, adding that their masks have undergone thorough safety tests via certified testing laboratories to ensure they meet the relevant standards

Normally, all protective face masks and medical devices are required to undergo strict testing by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). However, the Department of Health ordered TGA to waive the strict protocols in March to allow urgent access to those devices to address the health crisis. Medical experts now fear that some evil suppliers took advantage of Australia's lack of quality protocols.

While companies selling face masks are only dealing directly with the Department of Health, some face masks were able to reach private hospitals.

Medical warns counterfeit masks will affect the whole health system

Australian Society of Anaesthetists president Suzi Nou told the Sydney Morning Herald that many of her members had reported receiving fake masks, so they are "at increased risk of getting infected."

"That impacts the health system - it takes out a team of doctors and nurses who can't care for patients," said Nou, adding that other patients are at risk as well as they become transmitters of infection.

Aside from nurses and doctors, other frontline health staff and industrial workers using hazardous materials also require N95 masks. However, Cole said that since the onset of the pandemic, she received numerous reports of suspected fake face masks. She has reviewed about 50 brands of face masks which she alleged to be "complete counterfeit rubbish."

Onsite Safety's director Chris Bellamy revealed that since governments began easing lockdown restrictions, he has been conducting independent tests. All Chinese brands he tested failed basic checks including the lack of the correct marking.

Meanwhile, a Department of Health spokesperson said in a statement they have distributed more than 40 million masks out of the 100 million masks received by the National Medical Stockpile. Also, the statement claimed that "the Department has not received unsatisfactory stock."

To address the alarming claims, the Therapeutic Goods Administration said they have now introduced "additional surveillance" for masks and gowns. The information that will be gathered will be shared "with overseas regulators to identify products where issues have been identified."