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 because of toxins emitted by the tight-fitting face coverings.
Researchers from South Korea measured the number and concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOC) 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 times to 147 times higher concentrations compared with other masks made of fabrics such as cotton. The total number of VOC particles was 14 times that of cotton masks. In some KF94 masks, numbers reached a threshold high enough to pose a serious risk to human health.
VOCs are substances that have a high vapor pressure at room temperature, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). They often provide the odors that we notice. They exist naturally but also include manmade chemicals that can evaporate at room temperature and are often used and produced in the manufacture of paints, pharmaceuticals, and refrigerants, according to the EPA.
