Jornal de Doenças Tropicais e Saúde Pública

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Certain Face Masks Contain Toxic Chemicals, Inhalation of Which has the Potential to Affect the Upper Respiratory System

Manish Raval*, Hemali Sangani

Masks have been proven to be a key measure to suppress COVID-19 transmissions and save lives. However, certain types of face masks have been shown to contain toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde, aniline, and Perfluorocarbons (PFCs). Various health organizations and publications have detailed the harmful effects of these toxic chemicals on human body. Various studies have also shown that inhalation of formaldehyde and aniline can have an adverse impact on the human upper respiratory tract. While various agencies have detailed the permissible limits of such chemicals in many products, there has been no guidance provided on the permissible concentration levels of such chemicals in face masks. Since face masks are so close to the mouth, further research should be undertaken on priority to understand whether breathing through such face masks containing these toxic chemicals can have an adverse impact on human organs. Further, since SARS-CoV-2 has been shown to first affect the upper respiratory system and later progress to lower respiratory system, additional research should also be undertaken to understand whether use of face masks containing formaldehyde and aniline is contributing to adverse outcomes in the respiratory system of COVID-19 patients.