⚠️In a study of 12 face masks, every mask contained cancer causing compound particles in at least one layer.
🔗Source (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-06605-w.pdf)
Thanks for sharing, and for including the source.
In summary:
- TiO2 is used in face masks, supposedly to improve stability in ultraviolet light
- TiO2 is a known and classified carcinogen when inhaled
- Whether you end up inhaling TiO2 from the mask is very hard to measure, but the estimates aren't looking good
- The conclusion is a recommendation to reduce/remove TiO2 from masks just in case and regulate certain material groups more strictly
- Face masks still recommended
In particular, note this sentence:
"So far, no data are avail-
able that indicate that the possible risk associated with the presence of TiO2 particles in face masks outweighs
the benefits of wearing face masks as protection measure. That is why we do not call for people to stop wearing
face masks"
This also popped up:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-23615-w
Evaluation of the antibacterial activities of face masks coated with titanium dioxide nanoparticles | Scientific Reports
To control infectious diseases, various applications of nanotechnology have been used to enhance the self-cleaning and antibacterial properties of materials. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial properties of face masks coated with TiO2 nanoparticles. The antibacterial efficacies of cloth ..
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-23615-w
Found it here:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-06605-w
Kind of funny that the introduction states this:
"The importance of wearing face masks against COVID-19 is unquestionable."
Wonder if the authors stated that to slip past the censors or whether they are really that 'not-scientific'.
Titanium dioxide particles frequently present in face masks intended for general use require regulatory control | Scientific Reports
Although titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a suspected human carcinogen when inhaled, fiber-grade TiO2 (nano)particles were demonstrated in synthetic textile fibers of face masks intended for the general public. STEM-EDX analysis on sections of a variety of single use and reusable face masks visualized agg..
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-06605-w
