Quantification of trace elements in surgical and KN95 face masks widely used during the SARS-COVID-19 pandemic.

ABSTRACT: During the current coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, face masks have been the single most important protective equipment against the threat of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). While masks are worn, both the nose and the mouth of the user come in contact with the mask material, and as the latter mediates the inhaled air and may interfere with the swallowed saliva, it is of paramount importance to assure that the mask is free of toxic substances. As there are currently no studies on the total amount of trace elements in masks, the present study fills the void and investigates 24 surgical and KN95 face masks. Specifically, mask samples were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) to determine the total concentrations of trace el

SUBMITTER: Bussan DD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8611820 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature