ASTM F3502-21 is written for everyday masks, not respirators. It grades filtration efficiency and air flow resistance on the whole mask, on two levels each. AirPop is Level 2 for filtration at above 97% and Level 1 for air flow resistance.
Certified air protection is the daytime pillar of the AirPop Breathing System.
ASTM F3502-21 is a performance standard for barrier face coverings published by ASTM International in 2021. It was developed by ASTM Committee F23 on Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment to fill a gap: before this standard, no US benchmark existed specifically for consumer-grade reusable face coverings.
The standard grades two properties independently, each on two levels: sub-micron particle filtration efficiency (Level 1 ≥20%, Level 2 ≥50%) and inhalation air flow resistance (Level 1 ≤15 mm H₂O, Level 2 ≤5 mm H₂O). AirPop Light SE is Level 2 for filtration, clearing the 50% floor by a wide margin at above 97%, and Level 1 for air flow resistance at 8 mm H₂O.
What ASTM F3502-21 does not do is test fit. It addresses leakage through a design analysis, and quantitative leakage testing is optional. A filter that captures most particles does little good if air bypasses it through gaps around the nose, cheeks, or chin, so check the seal on your own face.
Different standards test different things. Here is how ASTM F3502-21 stacks up against the certifications you see on mask packaging.
| Standard | Region | Tests Filtration | Tests Leakage | Consumer Use | AirPop Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASTM F3502-21 | US | Yes | Design analysis | Yes | Certified (Intertek) |
| NIOSH N95 | US | Yes | No (OSHA fit test is separate) | No | Not certified |
| KN95 (GB2626) | China | Yes | Yes (inward leakage) | Yes | Filter tested, §6.3 (SGS, 2023) |
| CE FFP2 (EN 149) | EU | Yes | Yes (inward leakage) | No | Not certified |
| AFNOR S76-001 (BSI) | UK | Yes | No (design requirement) | Yes | Type-tested (BSI, 2020) |
| Cloth mask | N/A | No | No | Yes | N/A |
ASTM F3502-21 is a US standard published by ASTM International that establishes minimum performance requirements for barrier face coverings. It tests sub-micron particle filtration efficiency (PFE) and breathability (air flow resistance) on the whole mask, and addresses leakage through a design analysis.
ASTM F3502-21 grades barrier face coverings on two axes, each with two levels: sub-micron particle filtration efficiency (Level 1 ≥20%, Level 2 ≥50%) and air flow resistance (Level 1 ≤15 mm H₂O, Level 2 ≤5 mm H₂O). The two axes are assessed independently, so the product report states a level for each. AirPop Light SE is Level 2 for filtration, testing above 97% PFE, and Level 1 for air flow resistance.
N95 (NIOSH 42 CFR Part 84) and KN95 (GB2626-2019) are industrial respiratory protection standards designed for occupational use. ASTM F3502-21 is specifically designed for consumer barrier face coverings used in everyday settings — workplaces, transit, schools, travel. It grades filtration and breathing resistance together. Neither it nor N95 certification includes a fit test; in US workplaces, fit testing a respirator is a separate OSHA requirement.
ASTM International (formerly the American Society for Testing and Materials) published this standard in 2021. The standard was developed by ASTM Committee F23 on Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment in response to the need for a consumer-grade face covering performance benchmark.
No. ASTM F3502-21 addresses leakage through a design analysis, and quantitative leakage testing is optional; it does not include a fit test. A mask that filters well can still leak around the edges, so check the seal on your own face. AirPop's 360° Seal is designed to close the gaps a flat-fold mask leaves.
Look for the ASTM F3502-21 designation on the product packaging or manufacturer website. Legitimate certifications are backed by third-party testing from accredited labs such as Intertek or SGS. AirPop test reports are available upon request from hello@getairpop.com.
NIOSH and CDC have pointed to ASTM F3502 in their public guidance on barrier face coverings. It is not a respirator standard, so it does not replace a NIOSH-approved N95 where an employer requires respiratory protection under OSHA.
The standard does not mandate single-use or reuse. However, many ASTM F3502-21 certified products, including AirPop, are designed for reuse. AirPop masks maintain >97% PFE after 10 cleaning cycles with a 70% alcohol wipe, verified by Intertek (report 104653485CRT-002).
AirPop Light SE is certified to ASTM F3502-21 per Intertek report 104653485CRT-002: Level 2 for sub-micron particle filtration efficiency, at >97% when new and after 10 cleaning cycles with a 70% alcohol wipe (the Level 2 floor is 50%), and Level 1 for air flow resistance, at 8 mm H₂O against a 15 mm H₂O limit. Light SE is also tested to KN95 (GB2626-2019) filter efficiency by SGS and type-tested to AFNOR SPEC S76-001 by BSI. Test reports are available on request.
AirPop ASTM F3502-21 certified masks are available at Target in the US, in stores and on target.com. For bulk or institutional orders, visit getairpop.com/wholesale or contact hello@getairpop.com.
How protection by day and mouth tape and nasal strips by night fit one breathing-wellness brand.
Test results, patented technologies, and global certification data.
Deep dive into what this certification measures and why it matters.
Carry a mask certified to ASTM F3502-21 — the standard that grades filtration and breathability on the whole mask.
AirPop provides test reports from Intertek, SGS and BSI on request. Available for retail buyers, procurement teams, and regulatory review.
All test results from independent, accredited third-party laboratories. Reports available under NDA for qualified buyers.