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Health Canada has announced an investigation into two types of masks after users complained about headaches and breathing issues.
The agency warned users against one type of mask last week after a concerned citizen reported health complications to the agency after wearing a SNN200642 model imported by Metallifer. The sweeping recall affects Quebec transit workers, schools, daycares, and health networks who received more than 30.6 million of the SNN200642 masks from the ministries of family, education, and higher education, according to CTV News.
Now, it appears that another model of masks supplied by Metallifer may be dangerous to users as well. Experts told CTV News this week that the substance that makes up the liners of these blue and grey masks, graphene, may cause health problems for the workers who wore them.
“Health Canada has conducted a preliminary scientific assessment and has identified a potential for early lung toxicity in rats from inhaled graphene,” the substance coating the masks, said Health Canada spokesperson André Gagnon.
In addition to the recalled SNN200642 model, another graphene lined mask imported by Metallifer is also under investigation by the health agency.
Indeed, users reported increased headaches and the feeling of “breathing in cat hair” after wearing the graphene-lined masks, reports CTV News. A teacher told reporters that she noticed a change after the masks were introduced several months ago, including headaches and the smell of plastic.
“I just now feel a bit betrayed that something government-mandated was causing harm to us,” the Quebec kindergarten teacher told CTV News, noting that she tried to use her own medical masks instead of the now recalled masks provided by the school.
The import of such masks in Canada faces little regulation, reports CTV News. However, Health Canada is currently investigating the masks containing graphene over concerns that the substance may cause lung damage, especially in the very young and elderly.
The substance, nanoform graphene, is a “novel” material, according to experts who spoke to CTV News. While there are nanoparticles that occur naturally, manmade substances may carry unknown health risks, including damage to the lungs and other organs when inhaled.
“They’re so small, they can accumulate in our lung alveoli,” Richard Nho, a research scientist at the University of Minnesota told reporters of nanoparticles. “They can circulate, they can move to everywhere in your body, even [your] brain. That’s why we say they can be dangerous and they can be toxic.”
Quebec company Metallifer reportedly imports the masks under investigation from China.
In a statement reported by CTV News, the company said that the products imported from China “were fully qualified at the time.”
“Since the beginning of the pandemic, Metallifer has used its vast network of suppliers in China to offer its customers quality protective masks that meet current standards,” Metallifer president Michel Filion said in a statement.
Since reports of health complications, the company has told consumers to stop using the masks and has halted sales of remaining products, according to CTV.
Have you worn masks with a graphene liner? Have you experienced any health effects from wearing your mask? Tell us about your experience in the comment section below!
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32 thoughts onHealth Canada Investigates Potentially Toxic Masks After Recall
I developed a chemical burn around my chin, nose area cheek bones that are similar to eczema- it just won’t clear up…I don’t have sensitive or problem skin…its dry, flaky, scaly, sore…I even went to emergency and get antibiotics for. Staphylococcus infection, it hasn’t cleared up. I’m also asthmatic and have been wheezing at night and when I use the surgical disposal masks my inhaler doesn’t help and I have been coughing up a thick tubular jelly substance from my lungs. This jelly substance makes me gasp for air and I just cannot breath until I cough them up and it’s very difficult. Also My nose runs non stop when I have the mask on.
I have started with breathing issues since August 2020. I have been to numerous doctors including lung specialists and a ton of tests. My pulmonary function tests were in the 60’s. 3 negative Covid tests.
Now 8 months later I am still currently seeing a lung specialist on top of a number of inhalers and meds. I have never had breathing issues until this mandatory mask wearing. The doctors are stumped. And now that I’ve read this, it all makes sense. My question is how do I find out if it was these masks that have caused all of this?!
I had 3 boxes of these masks and they have now all gone in the garbage and now I am struggling to replace them with masks that won’t harm me or my family. I am immune compromised and not willing to go out to stores and risk my health but need to replace these masks as we need them.
When I wore this mask first time, I started sneezing and felt like breathing in cat hairs and constantly irritating and itching around the nose.
Both my mom and I had burning sinus, and throat. Shortness of breath. And my mom has staphylococcus infection. EXTREMELY upset. Both of us.!!
I developed a chemical burn around my chin, nose area similar to eczema- it took over 2 weeks to clear up…I don’t have sensitive or problem skin…it was dry, flaky, scaly, sore…took multiple topical creams over a 2 week period before I looked ‘ normal’ again…I had forgotten my cloth mask & used several disposable masks provided at the stores I went to so I can’t pinpoint the brand or store providing them. I will only use my own from home from now on. It was emotional & frightening….
are these masked part of the candian red cross masks, that is what i have,
I have, like many people experienced coughing, constant throat clearing, the feeling of cat like hairs when breathing and extreme fatigue. This government needs to be held accountable for the health risks and symptoms brought on by the forceful use of these mask and the underlying cost and tax revenue they have received from mandatory use. This is a betrayal of trust and corrupt cover up for additional revenue and lack of concern for individual health and safety.
My nose constantly runs, even when i am not wearing a mask. I have to qear them for 12 hour shifts. My eyes hurt and are constantly dry. Some times the masks makes it feel like there are fibers tickling my throat, and breathing is difficult for prolonged periods. Constant phlegm and snot builds up even when not wearing the masks. Its terrible.
I have been forced to wear a mask at GYMVMT while in their facility to workout. My nose runs constantly, I can not breathe, I feel light headed & shaky while wearing the blue mask. I am constantly pulling the fibers out from inside the mask. Even though I have been wearing this type of mask for only a couple of weeks now, I caught a cold because the mask does nothing to protect me. I am tired of being discriminated against for my medical exemptions no longer being honored. I was told by one GYMVMT staff member, they have to protect the people that are scared, so my my concerns about wearing a mask due to health issues are of NO concern. If I happen to pull my mask down to get a breath of fresh air, I am harrassed & bullied by being rudely told to make sure my mask is over my nose by their condescending staff.
My girlfriend was forced to wear these kind of mask at work … and she asked many time if she could just wear a different 3 layer mask but the Company said they had to wear these kind a they provided so I’m hoping you will be making a lawsuit against these companies that force their employees to wear this mask and health Canada that approved these mask for use in Canada
Yes watering eyes. Runny nose cough or constant throat. clearing.
More tired than usual and like to take naps very odd for me to do.
Though it was alegies or sinus acting up but it is much more prominent when I use a mask have to lowere the mask when I am away from people to get more air.