N95 masks expose wearers to dangerous levels of toxic compounds, study finds

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has shared a study highlighting the potential dangers of wearing N95 face masks. The study found that these masks can expose wearers to toxic volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) at levels eight times the recommended safety limit. Particularly concerning are the disposable blue masks, which were found to contain up to 14 times more TVOCs than cloth masks. However, the study suggests that exposure can be significantly reduced if a mask is opened and left to sit for at least 30 minutes. The researchers concluded that cloth masks are the safest of all. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends keeping TVOC levels below 0.5 parts per million (PPM) in indoor air