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| - Last Updated on September 26, 2024 by Nivedita
Quick Take
A social media post claims that forcing children to wear masks is child abuse. It claims that masks should not be worn as a study indicates that it causes cancer due to the presence of Titanium dioxide. We fact-checked and found this claim to be misleading, thus Mostly False. Even though research indicates the presence of Titanium dioxide in masks, there is a lack of scientific evidence to prove that it causes cancer.
The Claim
An Instagram post reads, “Forcing children to wear masks that don’t work is child abuse and dangerous to their health. Scientists Studied 12 different types of Masks Every One Contained This Cancer-Causing Compound. In a study of 12 face masks, every mask contained titanium dioxide (TiO2) particles in at least one layer, at levels that “exceeded the acceptable exposure level.” Scientific study address in comments to verify for yourselves.” A screenshot of the post is given below:
Fact Check
Is Titanium dioxide carcinogenic?
It depends on exposure level. The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies it as “possibly carcinogenic to humans.” The Titanium Dioxide Manufacturers Association (TDMA) states, “Decades of industry and independent research has found no evidence of potential cancer risk to humans from titanium dioxide.”
FDA has recognized titanium dioxide as safe if it is less than one per cent of the food’s total weight. Even sunscreens having 25% titanium dioxide are believed to be safe for human use.
The use of titanium dioxide as a food additive was even banned in the European Union.
Is Titanium dioxide present in face masks?
Maybe. There have been a study that indicate that there is a probability that facemasks contain titanium dioxide. However, the study didn’t assess whether titanium dioxide particles can be released from the mask. It also didn’t study in case they are inhaled, are they inhaled in toxic amounts or not.
Does wearing a mask cause cancer due to exposure to titanium dioxide?
Not exactly. There is no current evidence linking the use of face masks to cancer. Even though it is true that titanium dioxide is classified as a “possible carcinogen to humans.” But, the 26-week study which suggest titanium dioxide (lung) carcinogenicity through inhalation is done on rats and shows association with only lung cancer. An article published in Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health studied lung cancer risk from exposure to titanium dioxide. It concluded that the risk of lung cancer was non-significantly increased for exposure to titanium dioxide fumes or to other titanium compounds. It suggested that occupational exposure to titanium dioxide increases the risk of lung cancer.
Understanding the risks associated with mask materials is just one aspect of health debates during the pandemic, which also includes the scrutiny of vaccines and their purported side effects.
On the contrary, the ECHA’s Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) concluded that the available scientific evidence meets the criteria to classify titanium dioxide asuspective of causing cancer through the inhalation route.
However, there is no conclusive evidence that shows that this compound increases the risk of cancer in people through inhalation via masks. Furthermore, rats received much higher doses of titanium dioxide than those present in masks, which in addition may only release part of it.
”During the pandemic, the benefits outweigh the harmful effects of face masks. The World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended the use of masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Sarthak Moharir, Consultant Radiation Oncologist at HCG Cancer Centre, Vadodara, clarifies this by stating, “Titanium dioxide is an accepted colouring agent in a wide variety of daily use articles like food, sunscreen and cosmetics. Inhalation of TiO2 only is considered to be carcinogenic.
Currently available studies do not prove whether Titanium dioxide used to colour masks white is actually inhalable. So to call it a cause of cancer is using incomplete knowledge and applying it with a bias.”
THIP Media has already fact-checked a claim that stated that face masks are dangerous for children.
With respect to safety of face-masks for children, Paediatrician Dr. Smarajit Maiti advises, “Masks without respiratory valve is not advisable for children. If an adult can fall prey to Hypoxia due to mask, a child can too. It is necessary to ensure you are buying a mask with well ventilation facility for your child. As for babies, masks are not a feasible option. It can lead to dangerous situation like suffocation if goes unnoticed. Rather, hygiene and proper protection of the care givers, maintenance of cough protocol and off course awareness may be helpful.”
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