Some have heralded masks as the gold standard of protective gear against COVID-19. However, they may be causing more problems than expected.
Results from a study published in the Journal of Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety in May have indicated that masks pose significant risks to wearers due to toxins emitted by the tight-fitting face coverings.
Researchers from South Korea measured the number and concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from several different masks, including cotton masks and KF94 masks—a popular type of disposable mask similar to the N95 mask.
Four types of VOCs were detected in KF94 masks at 22.9–147 times higher concentrations compared to other masks comprised of fabrics like cotton. The total number of VOC particles was 14 times that in cotton masks. In some KF94 masks, numbers reached a threshold high enough to pose a serious risk to human health.
Inhaling them may cause the following:
Eyes, nose, and throat irritation.
Difficulty breathing.
Headaches.
Nausea.
Damage to the central nervous system and other organs.
Cancer (some cases in animals, and suspected or known cases in humans).
@paul_neri
BulletStopper 0 points 8 months ago
One may hope.