Some Face Masks Have Toxic Chemicals That Can Harm Us, Scientists Find

Scientists have discovered that some face masks that we believe are keeping us safe from the novel coronavirus could actually put us in more trouble than we could imagine, as most of these face masks are laced with toxic chemicals.

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This is according to a report by Ecotextile news. The report highlights the research of two scientists who have revealed how some of these face masks are covered in toxic chemicals that can cause immense discomfort to their wearer in the short and long term.

Harmful chemicals on face masks

Professor Michael Braungart, director at the Hamburg Environmental Institute tested masks that caused rashes in people who wore them. Testing revealed these masks actually contained formaldehyde, among other harmful chemicals. In case you didn¡¯t know, formaldehyde is added to give the distinct ¡®clean¡¯ fragrance that you get once you open a new set of masks.

Also Read: What A Face Mask Looks Like Under An Electron Microscope

What¡¯s more shocking is that the masks were also known to possess aniline, a known carcinogen. Braungart explains, ¡°What we are breathing through our mouth and nose is actually hazardous waste. We found formaldehyde and even aniline and noticed that unknown artificial fragrances were being applied to cover any unpleasant chemical smells from the mask.

Reuters

In the case of the blue-coloured surgical masks, we found cobalt ¨C which can be used as a blue dye. All in all, we have a chemical cocktail in front of our nose and mouth that has never been tested for either toxicity or any long-term effects on health.¡±

Some masks also had perfluorocarbons

Another researcher, Dr Dieter Sedlak, managing director and co-founder of Modern Testing Services in Augsburg, discovered that apart from formaldehyde, the masks had evidence of harmful fluorocarbons.

Also Read: N95 To Surgical: Scientists Show How Face Mask's Design Reduce COVID-19 Spread

Perfluorocarbons or PFCs are used in textiles to add a coating to allow it to repel water -- commonly found in bags and jackets, but they¡¯re not intended to be inhaled. Sedlak found the PFCs to be within the safe limit of 16 milligrams per kilogram, however, wearing it so close to the nose and mouth for extended periods of time definitely impacts the level of exposure.

Reuters

Sedlak explains, ¡°Honestly, I had not expected PFCs would be found in a surgical mask, but we have special routine methods in our labs to detect these chemicals easily and can immediately identify them. This is a big issue. It seems this had been deliberately applied as a fluid repellent ¨C it would work to repel the virus in an aerosol droplet format ¨C but PFC on your face, on your nose, on the mucous membranes, or on the eyes is not good.

Also Read: Face Mask Use Dropped COVID-19 Spread By 45% In 20 Days, Says German Study

Should we skip wearing masks?

No! Both researchers do point it out that more extensive research is needed to come to a conclusion that all face masks are hazardous. However, they do highlight that some in circulation could be something to be concerned about. They ask for regularisation of standards for the general public like medical-grade PPE.