What Are the Inhalants in Face Masks?

August 8, 2024 TruthUSA

Face masks contain and release chemical compounds, and recent research indicates that surgical masks and FFP2s are the primary culprits.

Disposable face masks, such as those recommended by health officials during the COVID-19 pandemic, are constructed from synthetic fibers that may harbor chemical compounds. The extended use of masks made from synthetic fibers has raised concerns about potential health risks associated with inhaling these released compounds.

According to a review published in the journal Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety in April 2024, face masks can emit up to 5,390 microplastic particles within a 24-hour period, with surgical masks releasing around 3,152 microfibers in less than an hour.

A group of German and Swiss researchers conducted a thorough review of 24 studies involving 631 surgical, cloth, and N95 masks to assess their composition and the compounds they release. The researchers discovered that 63% of the masks exhibited concerning levels of micro- and nanoplastics.

Furthermore, the study revealed that various substances found in the masks, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), xylene, acrolein, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), phthalates, lead, cadmium, copper, and titanium dioxide (TiO₂), surpassed established safety thresholds for human exposure.

In a recent publication in Nature, researchers identified that all 12 types of face masks analyzed exceeded the acceptable TiO2 exposure levels by inhalation, prompting the call for regulatory standards regarding TiO2 usage due to its potential carcinogenic properties.

The Latest Research

The most recent study in this realm, titled “Comprehensive Risk Assessment of the Inhalation of Plasticizers From the Use of Face Masks,” was recently published in Environment International. This study tested four different face mask types to evaluate the presence and release of 31 types of plasticizers during simulated mask use.

While the overall plasticizer concentration was similar across all four mask types, surgical masks and FFP2s displayed higher plasticizer release rates of approximately 4 percent each.