Public face masks wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic: A comprehensive analysis is needed for potential implications

Tesfaldet, Yacob T.; Ndeh, Nji T.

doi:10.1016/j.hazadv.2022.100125

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…Exposure to plastic particles has increased continuously in the modern world [85], but the obligations to wear masks around the world during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic 2020-2023 [1] has increased this exposure even further [86]. Recent environmental studies have reported that plasticbased personal protective equipment (PPE) releases substantial amounts of NPs and MPs, to the environment [28,80,87].…”

Section: Mp and Np From Masks -Release And Intakementioning

confidence: 99%

Wearing Face Masks as a Potential Source for Inhalation and Oral Uptake of Inanimate Toxins: a Scoping Review

Kisielinski¹,

Hockertz²,

Hirsch³

et al. 2023

Preprint

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From 2020 to 2023 many people around the world were forced to wear masks for large proportions of the day based on mandates and laws. We aimed to study the potential of face masks for the content and release of inanimate toxins. A scoping review of 1003 studies was performed (database search in PubMed/MEDLINE, qualitative and quantitative evaluation). Twenty-four studies were included (experimental time 17 min to 15 days) evaluating content and/or release in 631 masks (273 surgical, 228 textile and 130 N95 masks). Most studies (63%) showed alarming results with high micro- and nanoplastics (MPs and NPs) release and exceedances could also be evidenced for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), xylene, acrolein, per-/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), phthalates (including di(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate, DEHP) and for Pb, Cd, Co, Cu, Sb and TiO2. Of course, masks filter bacteria, dirt and plastic particles and fibers from the air we breathe and have specific indications, but according to our data they also carry risks. Depending on the application, a risk-benefit analysis is necessary. However, mask mandates during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic have been generating an additional source of potentially harmful exposition to toxins at population level with almost zero distance to the airways.

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Section: Mp and Np From Masks -Release And Intakementioning

confidence: 99%

Wearing Face Masks as a Potential Source for Inhalation and Oral Uptake of Inanimate Toxins: a Scoping Review

Kisielinski¹,

Hockertz²,

Hirsch³

et al. 2023

Preprint

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show abstract

“…In practice, personal care products and masks are often used concurrently. Due to the emphasis on air pollution and the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the frequency of mask use has significantly increased on many occasions [ 15 ]. During the pandemic, 65.9% (n = 164) of participants maintained skin care habits [ 16 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%