Disposable masks not to be re-used
Experts share insights and warnings on why we should discard the mask after a one-time use
Disposable masks are often made of several layers of micro-fibres made of plastic, usually polypropylene, which is derived from crude oil.
Aged disposable masks can release more fibres than new masks. The fibres generally won’t be inhaled into the deeper respiratory tract and they, therefore, cannot have a harmful effect there. However, they can possibly irritate the skin, mucous membranes and upper respiratory tract
Disposable masks are exactly that — disposable, and not intended for longterm use. However, to reduce expense, waste or hassle, many people have been using surgical masks over and over again. While that can pose a risk by itself, health experts are now warning people against wearing disposable masks that have been worn down from repeated use.
“Aged disposable masks can release more fibres than new masks,” says Robert Landsiedel, vice-chairman of Germany’s Society for Toxicology (GT). The fibres generally won’t be inhaled into the deeper respiratory tract and they, therefore, cannot have a harmful effect there. “However, they can possibly irritate the skin, mucous membranes and upper respiratory tract,” adds Robert.
— ROBERT LANDSIEDEL, vice-chairman of Germany’s Society for
Toxicology (GT)
CONCERNS ABOUT TOXICITY
Disposable masks are often made of several layers of micro-fibres made of plastic, usually polypropylene, which is derived from crude oil. While the Society for Toxicology does not have its own studies on this, colleagues dealing with this have observed that mainly larger pieces of fibres are released from masks, which do not reach the deeper airways, reiterates Robert. Researchers came to this conclusion in a study published last year in the World Allergy Organization Journal.
That being said, in terms of efficacy, surgical masks are thought to retain much of their ability to filter out potential virus particles over repeated use. In fact, French consumer watchdog, UFC-Que Choisir, found that surgical masks retained “excellent filtration capacities” even after being washed 10 times at 60 degrees Celsius.
Nevertheless, the World
Health
Organisation (WHO) says “medical masks are for single use only” and that you should “discard the mask immediately, preferably into a closed bin.”
ALLERGICALLY UNFIT
Scientists at the Mainz University Medical Centre in Germany had examined symptoms of allergic rhinitis in 46 women and men, which were apparently caused by wearing masks — in this case especially a filtering facepiece (FFP) masks.
Depending on the use, polypropylene fibres could be detected in the nasal rinsing solution of those affected. At several millimetres, the discovered long.
From the upper respiratory tract, deposited fibres and particles are transported together with the mucus of the respiratory tract through small movable hairs (cilia) towards the mouth and then swallowed. “According to our assessment, the fibres released from the masks pose no or comparatively little health risk; the reduction in the risk of infection far outweighs this,” the toxicology experts conclude.
Ingestion of particles from masks also poses a negligible risk. However, it must be ensured that no inferior respiratory masks are used.
A HEALTHY HABIT
fibres were
comparatively
Another factor to be considered in the assessment is that the facemask not only keeps bacteria and viruses out of the air, but also particles and fibres that would otherwise be absorbed without a mask.
The amount of fibres absorbed from masks can exceed that of fibres from textiles to which we are constantly exposed under certain circumstances, for example at workplaces where breathing masks have to be worn permanently.
However, toxicology experts claim that no particular health hazards are known from workers who wear respiratory masks every day.