Facemasks are made of different materials depending on their purpose. Surgical face masks, which are disposable, can be manufactured from different polymeric materials such as polypropylene, polyurethane, polyacrylonitrile, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyethylene, or polyester depending on the order of the customers. The medical face mask is manufactured from nanofiber plastic materials. Cosmetic face masks, on the other hand, contain powders such as talc, kaolin, silica gels, and clays in the formulation to obtain high viscosity.
While facemasks are generally safe, some studies have raised concerns about the presence of harmful chemicals in some types of masks. For example, a recent study found that wearing N95 Covid masks, specifically KF94 medical masks, may expose individuals to a dangerous level of toxic volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) . Another study found that some face masks, including surgical masks, have lately been found to contain harmful and prohibited substances. Additionally, some face masks may contain phthalates, which are chemicals that have been linked to liver and reproductive damage.
Therefore, it is important to read the labels and ingredients of facemasks before using them. Some ingredients to avoid in face masks include parabens such as butylparaben, methylparaben, and propylparaben.
