The sanitary safety agency has estimated that the data was lacking in the toxicity of this synthetic material used in the manufacture of certain FFP2 masks.
Le Monde with AFP
France had suspended them since the end of May, in the wake of Canada. It was up to the National Agency for Health Food, Environment and Labor (ANSES) to provide an opinion on FFP2 masks containing graphene.
The sanitary safety agency judged, Tuesday, December 14, that their use should be avoided by precaution for lack of data on the toxicity of this synthetic material. “The ANSES recommends that the public authorities favor the placing on the market or the provision of masks without graphene,” said the Agency in a statement after the expertise requested by the Directorate General of Health (which depends on the Ministry) .
In April, Canada had been the first country to highlight the potential risks of FFP2 masks (or KN95, the North American equivalent) containing graphene. He had cautioned the graphene masks made by Chinese Society Shandong Shengquan New Materials, so suspected of being able to cause lung problems. After analysis, Canada had finally allowed these masks in July, considering that they did not show proven risk.
“Lack of information”
In the meantime, the French authorities had asked in may not to use the FFP2 masks in graphene, distributed in particular to health professionals. This suspension had been decided pending the risk assessment by ANSES. Although available data “do not highlight exhibition situations of concern,” says “unable to assess health risk”. It notes a “lack of information on graphene used by the manufacturers and the toxicity of this substance, especially in the long term”. This is why it considers it preferable to avoid this type of masks, as a precaution.
The nanotope that returns to their composition is composed of nanoscopic carbon flakes. Ultralight, ultra-resistant and excellent driver, he has invested many industrial applications in recent years, including electronic. But since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, it is its antiviral properties that have drawn attention, pushing several companies to design masks containing graphene, presented as more effective against the virus. In early April, four NGOs alerted the European Commission for the potential toxicity of these masks available in France and Europe. To date, no decision has been taken at European level.
“Reassuring results” for surgical masks
In addition, in a separate notice, ANSES looked at the surgical masks used by the general public. The goal was to assess any risks related to the presence of chemical substances and their inhalation or skin contact.
This expertise gave “reassuring results” if the masks are used according to the instructions (changed every four hours, worn in common sense, etc.) “Exposures to chemicals found in the masks do not exceed the Sanitary thresholds, both for adults and for children, “according to ANSES. This “guarantees the lack of risk to the health of the populations, whether these substances are inhaled or in contact with the skin”, when the masks are properly worn, explains in the communiqué Céline Dubois, coordinator of this expertise to the ANSES.
This expertise was conducted over several dozens of surgical mask references for the general public, taken by the Directorate-General for Competition, Consumption and Fraud Repression in 2020 and 2021.