Beware of these FFP2 masks. They contain graphene which, if inhaled, could be harmful to health and toxic
Don't store avocado like this: it's dangerousBeware of these FFP2 masks. They may contain graphene which, if inhaled, would be harmful to health and toxic. A new alarm comes from France where the National Agency for Food Safety, Environmental and Occupational Health (ANSES) has ordered the withdrawal and ban on the use of these devices, pending examination.
The safety notice does not apply to all FFP2 masks but those known as “Biomass Graphène”. According to the French authorities, they could contain graphene whose inhalation, in the form of microparticles, could trigger inflammatory processes or even worse consequences.
For this reason, Anses has issued an alert inviting all hospitals to check the presence of these specific masks:
Your facility may have received masks labeled “Biomass Graphène”. Pending the assessment of the possible risk associated with the presence of graphene in these masks, and as a precaution, you are asked to stop using them.
Such personal protective equipment is part of the state stock and was supplied by the Chinese manufacturer Shandong Shengquan New Materials. French investigative journalism magazine Mediapart found that the recall is huge given that it concerns nearly 17 million FFPs2. The French notice of the ANSM was in fact addressed mainly to hospitals. This means that potentially 17 million such masks have been distributed, equal to 28% of the supplies received by France.
All information about the mask
Mask type: FFP "
Nome : FFP2 Particle filtering half mask
Modelli: SNN200647, SNN70369B et SNN70370B
Lots: all
Product: Shandong Shengquan New Materials
This is not the first time this has happened
It is not the first time that these masks have been discussed. In April they were withdrawn from the market by the Canadian Ministry of Health, pending scientific research that could clarify all doubts. Health Canada made a preliminary analysis of the available studies and found that
inhalation of graphene particles could cause early lung toxicity in animals. However, the inhalation potential of these particles in humans and the resulting health risks, which may vary depending on the design of the mask, are not yet known. The risk to human health by age is unknown. Variables, such as the amount and duration of exposure, as well as the type and characteristics of the graphene material used, all affect the inhalation potential of particles and the resulting health risks. Health Canada requested information from mask manufacturers to assess the health risks associated with those containing graphene.
Yet, several times graphene masks have been considered among the safest against Covid. A material that is undoubtedly versatile and very useful in many fields but now in the eye of the storm.
Here is the ANSM safety note
Sources of reference: ANSM, Mediapart, Canadiensensante
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