Quality evaluation of masks marketed in Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic for the presence of silver and silver nanoparticles

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the new coronavirus is a disease without specific treatment and has become one of the great challenges of the current century. One of the alternatives to minimize the direct transmission rate of the virus is the use of face masks. Currently, there is a diversity of masks on the market, both in the textile composition and in the presence or absence of the silver (Ag) element, in the form of ions or silver nanoparticles (AgNP), which have biocidal activity. Objective: To evaluate the presence of total Ag and AgNP in masks produced to protect the population from COVID-19 being sold in Brazil during the pandemic. Method: This is a cross-sectional descriptive observational study with convenience sampling. The samples were analyzed by ICP-MS in the standard mode and in the single particle mode. Results: The concentrations of total Ag in the studied samples varied from 14 to 72 mu gg(-1). It was observed that 50% of the evaluated samples that claim to have AgNP had a size distribution between 17 and 57 nm. When subjected to the washing cycles, there was a reduction in the concentration of Ag, which raises the question as to its real biocidal effectiveness over time. Conclusions: The data generated can provide the current scenario of the concentration of silver in the masks and thus assess the potential benefit or risk of use for human and environmental health. In addition, this knowledge can provide technical-scientific support for the sanitary inspection of quality control and implementation of regulatory standards in this field of activity.