Titanium dioxide particles frequently present in face masks intended for general use require regulatory control
Eveline Verleysen, Marina Ledecq, Lisa Siciliani, Karlien Cheyns, Christiane Vleminckx, Marie-Noëlle Blaude, Sandra De Vos, Frédéric Brassinne, Frederic Van Steen, Régis Nkenda, Ronny Machiels, Nadia Waegeneers, Joris Van Loco, Jan Mast
Abstract
Abstract Although titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) is a suspected human carcinogen when inhaled, fiber-grade TiO 2 (nano)particles were demonstrated in synthetic textile fibers of face masks intended for the general public. STEM-EDX analysis on sections of a variety of single use and reusable face masks visualized agglomerated near-spherical TiO 2 particles in non-woven fabrics, polyester, polyamide and bi-component fibers. Median sizes of constituent particles ranged from 89 to 184 nm, implying an important fraction of nano-sized particles (< 100 nm). The total TiO 2 mass determined by ICP-OES ranged from 791 to 152,345 µg per mask. The estimated TiO 2 mass at the fiber surface ranged from 17 to 4394 µg, and systematically exceeded the acceptable exposure level to TiO 2 by inhalation (3.6 µg), determined based on a scenario where face masks are worn intensively. No assumptions were made about the likelihood of the release of TiO 2 particles itself, since direct measurement of release and inhalation uptake when face masks are worn could not be assessed. The importance of wearing face masks against COVID-19 is unquestionable. Even so, these results urge for in depth research of (nano)technology applications in textiles to avoid possible future consequences caused by a poorly regulated use and to implement regulatory standards phasing out or limiting the amount of TiO 2 particles, following the safe-by-design principle.