The Belgian health authorities recommend no longer to use the millions of protective fabric masks provided in spring 2020 by the government, due to the risk of inhaling toxic substances, we learned Thursday, February 25 from an official source.
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"
It is not currently recommended to use the stocks of Avrox masks
", we can read in a letter to the Minister of Health Frank Vandenbroucke made public by the Superior Council of Health (CSS).
The minister decided to comply with this opinion, according to his cabinet, and the Belgians are therefore invited to no longer wear these masks, until the results of a further investigation into their potential toxicity are communicated.
These are the masks against the coronavirus of which the Luxembourg company Avrox had supplied Belgium with 15 million copies in June, after the first wave of the pandemic.
This equipment was available free of charge in pharmacies across the country, but did not have the expected success.
According to the Belgian press, only about a third of the stock has been distributed.
On these washable masks, the CSS pinpoints the presence of silver nanoparticles and titanium dioxide, which is "
a possible carcinogen (category 2B)
".
However, continues the letter to the minister dated Tuesday, "
it is recommended not to use textiles containing titanium dioxide in the manufacture of mouth masks
."
Regarding silver, its presence, even in the form of tiny particles, poses a risk depending on the "
degree of inhalation
", and it is advisable to act here too "
with precaution
".
The health authorities explain that these masks have been "
treated with a PT 9 biocide based on silver nitrate
" (to fight mold).
The award to Avrox of this vast public contract sparked a controversy last spring, and the Brussels public prosecutor's office has been investigating for eight months the conditions for awarding the contract, estimated at more than 30 million euros.
Several Belgian textile and fashion federations, including Creamoda, criticized the Luxembourg firm for not having complied with health requirements in terms of manufacturing.
Thursday the firm again defended itself against any irregularity, ensuring that its masks "
scrupulously respect all national and European regulations
".
The Belgian Ministry of Health had itself estimated in June that the masks did not present a danger, recalled the agency Belga.
