NPPTL COVID-19 Response: International Respirator Assessment

Manufacturer: Improve Medical (Hunan) Co., Ltd.

Model Tested: PPDS Ear Hook

Date Tested: June 19, 2020

These findings pertain to the Improve Medical (Hunan) Co., Ltd., model PPDS Ear Hook. The packaging 

for this product indicates that it meets GB2626-2006 (the Chinese standard for Respiratory Protective 

Equipment – Non-Powered Air-Purifying Particle Respirator).

Thirty respirators were submitted for evaluation. The respirators were sampled into groups of ten for 

evaluation. The samples were tested using a modified version of NIOSH Standard Test Procedure (STP) 

TEB-APR-STP-0059. This modified assessment plan can be found here.

No certificate of approval was provided with the samples received; therefore, the authenticity of the 

claims cannot be validated.

The maximum and minimum filter efficiency was 97.16% and 94.63%, respectively. Twenty-seven

respirators measured more than 95%. Three respirators measured less than 95%.

While the above-listed product classification has similar performance requirements to NIOSH-approved 

devices, NIOSH does not have knowledge about the sustained manufacturer quality system and 

product quality control for these products. NIOSH also does not have knowledge about the product’s 

handling and exposures after leaving its manufacturer’s control.

In addition, this product is an ear loop design. Currently, there are no NIOSH-approved products with 

ear loops; NIOSH-approved N95s have head bands. Furthermore, limited assessment of ear loop 

designs, indicate difficulty achieving a proper fit. While filter efficiency shows how well the filter media 

performs, users must ensure a proper fit is achieved.

This assessment is not a part of the NIOSH respirator approval process and will in no way lead to or 

preclude NIOSH approval through the official approval process. This assessment was developed as an 

assessment of the filter efficiency for those respirator’s represented as certified by an international

certification authority, other than NIOSH, to support the availability of respiratory protection to US 

healthcare workers due to the respirator shortage associated with COVID-19. Only particulate filter 

efficiency was assessed.

The results provided in this letter are specific to the subset of samples that were provided to NPPTL for 

evaluation.

These results will be used to update the CDC guidance for Crisis Capacity Strategies (during known 

shortages).
NPPTL COVID-19 Response: International Respirator Assessment

Evaluation of International Respirators

Test: Modified TEB-APR-STP-0059

Date Tested: June 19, 2020

Report Prepared: June 20, 2020

Manufacturer: Improve Medical (Hunan) Co., Ltd.

Item Tested: PPDS Ear Hook (Sample Group 1 of 3)

Country of Certification: China (GB2626-2006)

Filter Flow Rate

(Lpm)

Initial Filter 

Resistance 

(mmH2O)

Initial Percent 

Leakage

(%)

Maximum 

Percent Leakage

(%)

Filter Efficiency

1 85 11.5 3.05 3.05 96.95

2 85 11.9 3.29 3.29 96.71

3 85 11.0 4.21 4.21 95.79

4 85 10.8 3.67 3.67 96.33

5 85 13.0 4.44 4.44 95.56

6 85 10.7 4.11 4.11 95.89

7 85 10.1 3.24 3.24 96.76

8 85 10.1 4.09 4.09 95.91

9 85 9.6 4.64 4.64 95.36

10 85 9.3 4.57 4.57 95.43

Minimum Filter Efficiency: 95.36 Maximum Filter Efficiency: 96.95

• The test method utilized in this assessment is not the NIOSH standard test procedure that is used for certification of 

respirators. Respirators assessed to this modified test plan do not meet the requirements of STP-0059, and 

therefore cannot be considered equivalent to N95 respirators that were tested to STP-0059. 

• Respirators tested may not be representative of all respirators with the same certification mark. NIOSH has no 

control over suppliers and distributors of respirators certified by other national or international parties.

• This assessment is not a confirmation that it conforms with any or all of its specifications in accordance with its 

certification mark. 

• This assessment was not a part of the NIOSH approval program. These results do not imply nor preclude a future 

approval through the NIOSH respirator approval program.

Pictures have been added to the 

end of this report.
NPPTL COVID-19 Response: International Respirator Assessment

Test: Modified TEB-APR-STP-0059

Date Tested: June 19, 2020

Report Prepared: June 20, 2020

Manufacturer: Improve Medical (Hunan) Co., Ltd.

Item Tested: PPDS Ear Hook (Sample Group 2 of 3)

Country of Certification: China (GB2626-2006)

Filter Flow Rate

(Lpm)

Initial Filter 

Resistance 

(mmH2O)

Initial Percent 

Leakage

(%)

Maximum 

Percent Leakage

(%)

Filter Efficiency

11 85 10.1 4.45 4.45 95.55

12 85 14.0 3.36 3.36 96.64

13 85 9.9 4.22 4.22 95.78

14 85 12.3 3.17 3.17 96.83

15 85 12.1 5.26 5.26 94.74

16 85 10.2 3.88 3.88 96.12

17 85 10.5 2.82 2.84 97.16

18 85 12.8 3.95 3.95 96.05

19 85 11.3 4.04 4.04 95.96

20 85 11.0 4.47 4.47 95.53

Minimum Filter Efficiency: 94.74 Maximum Filter Efficiency: 97.16

• The test method utilized in this assessment is not the NIOSH standard test procedure that is used for certification of 

respirators. Respirators assessed to this modified test plan do not meet the requirements of STP-0059, and therefore 

cannot be considered equivalent to N95 respirators that were tested to STP-0059. 

• Respirators tested may not be representative of all respirators with the same certification mark. NIOSH has no control 

over suppliers and distributors of respirators certified by other national or international parties.

• This assessment is not a confirmation that it conforms with any or all of its specifications in accordance with its 

certification mark. 

• This assessment was not a part of the NIOSH approval program. These results do not imply nor preclude a future 

approval through the NIOSH respirator approval program.
NPPTL COVID-19 Response: International Respirator Assessment

Test: Modified TEB-APR-STP-0059

Date Tested: June 19, 2020

Report Prepared: June 20, 2020

Manufacturer: Improve Medical (Hunan) Co., Ltd.

Item Tested: PPDS Ear Hook (Sample Group 3 of 3)

Country of Certification: China (GB2626-2006)

Filter Flow Rate

(Lpm)

Initial Filter 

Resistance 

(mmH2O)

Initial Percent 

Leakage

(%)

Maximum 

Percent Leakage

(%)

Filter Efficiency

21 85 10.1 3.90 3.90 96.10

22 85 12.0 4.36 4.36 95.64

23 85 12.3 2.96 2.96 97.04

24 85 14.3 5.37 5.37 94.63

25 85 10.3 3.76 3.76 96.24

26 85 13.4 5.05 5.05 94.95

27 85 14.3 4.92 4.92 95.08

28 85 12.1 2.99 2.99 97.01

29 85 8.6 3.72 3.75 96.25

30 85 13.0 3.54 3.54 96.46

Minimum Filter Efficiency: 94.63 Maximum Filter Efficiency: 97.04

• The test method utilized in this assessment is not the NIOSH standard test procedure that is used for certification of 

respirators. Respirators assessed to this modified test plan do not meet the requirements of STP-0059, and therefore 

cannot be considered equivalent to N95 respirators that were tested to STP-0059. 

• Respirators tested may not be representative of all respirators with the same certification mark. NIOSH has no control 

over suppliers and distributors of respirators certified by other national or international parties.

• This assessment is not a confirmation that it conforms with any or all of its specifications in accordance with its 

certification mark. 

• This assessment was not a part of the NIOSH approval program. These results do not imply nor preclude a future 

approval through the NIOSH respirator approval program.
NPPTL COVID-19 Response: International Respirator Assessment
NPPTL COVID-19 Response: International Respirator Assessment
NPPTL COVID-19 Response: International Respirator Assessment
NPPTL COVID-19 Response: International Respirator Assessment
NPPTL COVID-19 Response: International Respirator Assessment
NPPTL COVID-19 Response: International Respirator Assessment
NPPTL COVID-19 Response: International Respirator Assessment
NPPTL COVID-19 Response: International Respirator Assessment