Levels of titanium dioxide that “systematically exceeded the acceptable exposure level” have been found in common face masks used for COVID-19, a study in Scientific Reports in leading journal Nature has found.
Although WeLoveTrump has frequently warned about the dangers of face masks, millions of Americans are continuously subjected to these tools of oppression.
Schoolchildren, private sector employees, and public workers have experienced the physical and psychological abuse of forced masking for hours every day.
Yet, to this day, many Americans still face this disgusting abuse.
"Although titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a suspected human carcinogen when inhaled, fibre-grade TiO2 (nano)particles were demonstrated in synthetic textile fibres of face masks intended for the general public.."https://t.co/mr0ymvAxQx
— Dr Kevin Corbett MSc PhD (@KPCResearch) February 21, 2022
Levels of titanium dioxide that "systematically exceeded the acceptable exposure level" have been found in common face masks used for COVID-19, a study in leading journal Nature has found. https://t.co/B8rSZioEFu
— Toby Young (@toadmeister) February 20, 2022
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles are frequently present in face masks: https://t.co/FBn2GxWR9v
- A new study with scanning transmission electron microscopic & energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.
- TiO2 i s a suspected human carcinogen when inhaled ...#Masks #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/fc3V0haxN7— Dr John B. (@DrJohnB2) February 19, 2022
The Nature study's abstract states:
Although titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a suspected human carcinogen when inhaled, fiber-grade TiO2 (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 TiO2 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 TiO2 mass determined by ICP-OES ranged from 791 to 152,345 µg per mask. The estimated TiO2 mass at the fiber surface ranged from 17 to 4394 µg, and systematically exceeded the acceptable exposure level to TiO2 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 TiO2 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 TiO2 particles, following the safe-by-design principle.
How can the authors make those findings and still say there's unquestionable importance of wearing face masks against COVID-19?
Let's review the potential harms of titanium dioxide exposure.
As stated by the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety:
Titanium dioxide has recently been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as an IARC Group 2B carcinogen ''possibly carcinogen to humans''. Titanium dioxide accounts for 70% of the total production volume of pigments worldwide. It is widely used to provide whiteness and opacity to products such as paints, plastics, papers, inks, foods, and toothpastes. It is also used in cosmetic and skin care products, and it is present in almost every sunblock, where it helps protect the skin from ultraviolet light.
With such widespread use of titanium dioxide, it is important to understand that the IARC conclusions are based on very specific evidence. This evidence showed that high concentrations of pigment-grade (powdered) and ultrafine titanium dioxide dust caused respiratory tract cancer in rats exposed by inhalation and intratracheal instillation*. The series of biological events or steps that produce the rat lung cancers (e.g. particle deposition, impaired lung clearance, cell injury, fibrosis, mutations and ultimately cancer) have also been seen in people working in dusty environments. Therefore, the observations of cancer in animals were considered, by IARC, as relevant to people doing jobs with exposures to titanium dioxide dust. For example, titanium dioxide production workers may be exposed to high dust concentrations during packing, milling, site cleaning and maintenance, if there are insufficient dust control measures in place. However, it should be noted that the human studies conducted so far do not suggest an association between occupational exposure to titanium dioxide and an increased risk for cancer.
Many Americans must wear face masks 6-8 hours per day most days of the week.
If fiber-grade titanium dioxide nanoparticles were found in face masks, what are the long-term consequences of this frequent exposure?
Nobody knows.
Yet, we continue putting millions of Americans at risk of potential cancer development.
Lung Cancer rates are going to sky rocket.
— Heather (@zone8Heather) February 21, 2022
The Daily Sceptic noted:
This is concordant with an earlier study in Water Research, which found lead, cadmium, antimony and various plastic and organic substances in face masks, and stated: “The toxicity of some of the chemicals found and the postulated risks of the rest of the present particles and molecules, raises the question of whether [disposable face masks] are safe to be used on a daily basis and what consequences are to be expected after their disposal into the environment.”
Sad to see the Nature article containing the obligatory genuflecting to face mask orthodoxy, ludicrously describing the importance of wearing masks against COVID-19 as “unquestionable”, despite there being no robust evidence they have any significant impact on transmission.
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