Most Facemasks Don't Contain Nano-Silver

Misbar discovered that the Belgium government warned its citizens to discontinue wearing the facemasks that they distributed for free based on a preliminary study that the masks contained silver and titanium dioxide which could be dangerous. According to Euronews.com, initial studies show the chemicals could affect the human respiratory system when inhaled deeply.

According to the American Chemical Society, silver nanoparticles, also known as nano-silver, are frequently found in healthcare settings, alternative medicine, and household products. There is evidence that silver nanoparticles can pose adverse effects on health in both animals and humans. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, silver can be absorbed from the lungs and excessive exposure to silver also can cause lung and kidney lesions. 

Research in the Journal of Environmental Quality looked at several consumer products and their release of silver into the environment. Medical masks were included in the products they assessed. The products under investigation were washed in tap water to assess the potential release of silver. The products released different amounts of their silver. For example, the face mask, which contained approximately 27% silver by weight, released <0.01% of its silver into the wash water. The shirt released about 2% of its silver. The toothpaste, shampoo, and detergent were assumed to release all of their silver into the wash water.

A similar situation to what happened in Belgium also happened in the U.S. in Tennessee when, in a push to re-open Tennessee's economy, the state ordered five million nose-and-mouth coverings from a North Carolina-based sock maker according to Newschannel5.com. It was later determined that the free face coverings were treated with a controversial substance that is registered as a pesticide.

To conclude, most facemasks are not embedded with nano-silver or titanium dioxide. These chemicals have usually been added to a special category of masks to provide more antimicrobial protection. Since nano-silver is used to kill microorganisms, EPA has decided that nano-silver products qualify as pesticides. While some have said that facemasks containing the chemical are safe, the Center for Food Safety has recommended that facemasks worn by the public do not contain nano-silver substances and is working to get EPA and FDA to pull unapproved masks from the market.