Abstract：
BACKGROUND: From 2020 to 2023 many people around the world were forced to wear masks for large proportions of the day based on mandates and laws. We aimed to study the potential of face masks for the content and release of inanimate toxins.
METHODS: A scoping review of 1003 studies was performed (database search in PubMed/MEDLINE, qualitative and quantitative evaluation).
RESULTS: 24 studies were included (experimental time 17 min to 15 days) evaluating content and/or release in 631 masks (273 surgical, 228 textile and 130 N95 masks). Most studies (63%) showed alarming results with high micro- and nanoplastics (MPs and NPs) release and exceedances could also be evidenced for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), xylene, acrolein, per-/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), phthalates (including di(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate, DEHP) and for Pb, Cd, Co, Cu, Sb and TiO2.
CONCLUSIONS: Of course, masks filter larger dirt and plastic particles and fibers from the air we breathe and have specific indications, but according to our data they also carry risks. Depending on the application, a risk-benefit analysis is necessary.
CONCLUSIONS: Undoubtedly, mask mandates during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic have been generating an additional source of potentially harmful exposition to toxins with health threatening and carcinogenic properties at population level with almost zero distance to the airways.
METHODS: A scoping review of 1003 studies was performed (database search in PubMed/MEDLINE, qualitative and quantitative evaluation).
RESULTS: 24 studies were included (experimental time 17 min to 15 days) evaluating content and/or release in 631 masks (273 surgical, 228 textile and 130 N95 masks). Most studies (63%) showed alarming results with high micro- and nanoplastics (MPs and NPs) release and exceedances could also be evidenced for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), xylene, acrolein, per-/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), phthalates (including di(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate, DEHP) and for Pb, Cd, Co, Cu, Sb and TiO2.
CONCLUSIONS: Of course, masks filter larger dirt and plastic particles and fibers from the air we breathe and have specific indications, but according to our data they also carry risks. Depending on the application, a risk-benefit analysis is necessary.
CONCLUSIONS: Undoubtedly, mask mandates during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic have been generating an additional source of potentially harmful exposition to toxins with health threatening and carcinogenic properties at population level with almost zero distance to the airways.
摘要：
背景：从2020年到2023年，根据授权和法律，世界各地的许多人每天都被迫戴口罩。我们旨在研究口罩对无生命毒素的含量和释放的潜力。
方法：对1003项研究进行了范围审查（PubMed/MEDLINE中的数据库搜索，定性和定量评估)。
结果：包括24项研究（实验时间17分钟至15天），评估631个口罩（273个手术，228个纺织品和130个N95口罩)。大多数研究（63％）显示出惊人的结果与高微米和纳米塑料（MPs和NPs）释放和超标也可以证明挥发性有机化合物（VOCs），二甲苯,丙烯醛,多氟烷基物质（PFAS），邻苯二甲酸酯（包括邻苯二甲酸二（2-乙基己基），DEHP)和Pb，Cd,Co,Cu,Sb和TiO2。
结论：当然，口罩从我们呼吸的空气中过滤较大的污垢和塑料颗粒和纤维，并有特定的适应症，但根据我们的数据，它们也有风险。根据应用,风险收益分析是必要的。
结论：毫无疑问，在SARS-CoV-2大流行期间，口罩的要求已经产生了潜在有害的毒素暴露的额外来源，这些毒素在人群水平上具有健康威胁和致癌特性，与气道的距离几乎为零。
方法：对1003项研究进行了范围审查（PubMed/MEDLINE中的数据库搜索，定性和定量评估)。
结果：包括24项研究（实验时间17分钟至15天），评估631个口罩（273个手术，228个纺织品和130个N95口罩)。大多数研究（63％）显示出惊人的结果与高微米和纳米塑料（MPs和NPs）释放和超标也可以证明挥发性有机化合物（VOCs），二甲苯,丙烯醛,多氟烷基物质（PFAS），邻苯二甲酸酯（包括邻苯二甲酸二（2-乙基己基），DEHP)和Pb，Cd,Co,Cu,Sb和TiO2。
结论：当然，口罩从我们呼吸的空气中过滤较大的污垢和塑料颗粒和纤维，并有特定的适应症，但根据我们的数据，它们也有风险。根据应用,风险收益分析是必要的。
结论：毫无疑问，在SARS-CoV-2大流行期间，口罩的要求已经产生了潜在有害的毒素暴露的额外来源，这些毒素在人群水平上具有健康威胁和致癌特性，与气道的距离几乎为零。
