I bought a box of 3M N95 masks about two years ago, but did not get to use them until recently.

But I found that the grey foam strip disintegrated on the first use ("Don't stockpile masks beyond expiry date" by Mr Danny Law Lip Kwang; Sept 29).

Instead of protecting me from the haze, I breathed in the particles instead.

How could what are supposed to be quality masks from a reputable brand disintegrate after just two years?

Choo Kian Boon