Canadian health officials have reportedly issued a warning about face masks containing graphene or biography.
Health Canada said graphene is a new nanomaterial that is said to have antiviral and antibacterial properties.
However, the advice issued on Friday warns that there is “potential for carriers to inhale graphene particles from some masks,” Global News reported.
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A preliminary assessment found that these particles “have a potential to cause early lung toxicity in animals.”
However, the potential for humans is unknown and can “vary depending on the mask design.”
FILE – On March 31, 2021, a file photo of students wearing Wyandotte County High School masks while walking through a hallway on the first day of personal learning at the school in Kansas City, Kan. (AP Photo / Charlie Riedel, File)
((AP Photo / Charlie Riedel, file))
No incidents have been reported yet, but that has not stopped Health Canada from advising that all known distributors, importers and manufacturers stop selling graphene masks.
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Some of these masks may have been distributed in health care facilities, the agency said.
Although the full potential health hazard is not clear, the agency said the risks associated with medical devices were “unacceptable”, CTV News reported.
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“Unless the manufacturers of these masks can provide sufficient evidence to support the safe and effective use of graphene-coated masks, Health Canada considers the risk of these medical devices to be unacceptable,” Health Canada said.
Health Canada continues to study data and request further information from manufacturers to better assess health risks.