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| They are bringing back the masks, discrediting serious studies on the devastating effects they cause on people's health . |
The results of a study published in the Journal of Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety showed that masks pose significant risks to people due to the toxins emitted by the face coverings.
Researchers from South Korea measured the number and concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by several different masks, including cotton masks but mainly KF94 masks – a type of disposable mask similar to the N95 mask.
Four types of VOCs were detected in KF94 masks at 22.9–147 times higher concentrations compared to plain masks made of fabrics such as cotton. The total number of VOC particles was 14 times higher than in the cotton masks. In some KF94 masks, the numbers reached a threshold high enough to pose a serious risk to human health.
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), VOCs are man-made chemicals that can evaporate at room temperature and are often "used and produced in the manufacture of paints, pharmaceuticals, and refrigerants."
Inhaling them causes the following:
- Eye, nose and throat irritation.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Headaches.
- Motion sickness.
- Damage to the central nervous system and other organs.
- Cancer (some cases in animals and suspected or known cases in humans).
VOC concentrations worse at certain times and temperatures
The researchers found that VOC concentrations varied depending on the ambient temperature and when the KF94s were removed from their packaging. When the temperature of the KF94 masks was increased to 104 F (40 C), concentrations increased by 119 to 299 percent. Levels dropped by 80 percent 30 minutes after removing the masks from the packaging, the study authors noted:
"It is clear that particular attention needs to be paid to VOCs associated with the use of KF94 masks [and their effects] on human health."
"Based on our findings, a KF94 mask, opened before wearing for at least 30 minutes, reduces total VOC concentrations," the authors concluded.
Other toxins and mask-induced exhaustion syndrome
A 2022 study also highlighted toxic chemicals found in many masks and a long list of potential mask consequences.
Phthalates are widely used chemicals that disrupt human endocrine systems and affect human health.
Instead of being chemically bonded to the material, phthalates are used as an additive that can be inhaled, ingested or absorbed through the skin. Exposure is harmful to reproductive and neurological development .
Researchers in China found harmful phthalates in 56 mask samples collected from different countries. According to the results of the study published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, nearly 90 percent of the samples contained potential carcinogens, suggesting that any benefits of coverage may be outweighed by the risks.
A comprehensive review published in Front Public Health in April found significant negative effects of both surgical and N95 masks. Side effects associated with mask use included:
- Decreased oxygen saturation.
- Reduced ventilation.
- Increased carbon dioxide in the blood.
- Increased heart rate, blood pressure and skin temperature.
- Higher levels of discomfort.
- Breathing difficulty.
- Headaches.
- Acne.
- Skin irritation.
- Dizziness.
"Masks interfered with oxygen uptake and CO2 release and compromised respiratory compensation," the authors wrote. “Results independently validate mask-induced exhaustion syndrome (MIES) and downstream physio-metabolic dysfunctions. MIES can have long-term clinical consequences, especially for vulnerable groups. So far, several mask-related symptoms may have been mistaken for long-term symptoms of COVID-19 . In any case, potential MIES contradicts the WHO definition of health."
The study was withdrawn one month later . The reason given for the retraction was that “the article does not meet the editorial and scientific soundness standards for Frontiers in Public Health”…
Instructions to return the mask?
The decision to bring back masks is becoming an important issue in all countries, regardless of its disastrous consequences. The question of whether coverage will be enforced once again permeates the fabric of society as the mandates return to the US.
Morris Brown College reinstated its mask mandate as a two-week precaution due to the increasing number of cases reported in the Atlanta area. According to the school's official Instagram account , students and teachers must wear masks again.
Several hospital systems have reinstated mask mandates. UMass Memorial Hospital confirmed in a statement last week that it will reinstate the mask for staff. Patients and visitors are exempt from the order, it said.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends masks on public transportation indoors. The agency suggests people make decisions based on the level of COVID hospital admissions in their county. The CDC also recommends that the elderly and the immunocompromised wear masks, or anyone who is more likely to become seriously ill from COVID-19. However, no one mentions that you can get sick just by wearing the mask.
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