The International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) and its members, leading manufacturers of safety equipment and technologies, support the Administration’s desire to distribute source control masks for children. However, it is imperative for families to understand the intended use and performance attributes of distributed masks.
We encourage the Administration to communicate clearly and plainly with parents, families, and caregivers about the nature of the masks it plans to make available. Parents and families should understand the intended use of the various masks currently available for children and follow manufacturers’ instructions.
As part of the government’s plan to prepare for future health emergencies, ISEA and its members support a stronger regulatory framework for children’s respiratory protection – one that mirrors the current proven process for highly effective adult N95 respirators. We encourage timely and meaningful government engagement with the safety equipment industry to discuss the development of a performance standard for children’s respirators.
