Organic components in facial masks used in Italy during the CoVID-19 outbreak

: To mitigate the CoVID-19 impact, Health Authorities all over the world prescribed the use of facial masks in public places, particularly in hospitals. However, that potentially induced environmental and human health problems, because of chemical composition and fibrous frame of the masks. In this work, various facial mask models marketed in Italy, differing in color and particulate filtering capability, were characterized with regard to organic components accompanying their polymeric structure. Several groups of organic compounds were investigated, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), phthalates and terephthalates, organic phosphates, fragrances, UV light shelters, phenols, alkyl and benzyl esters, oxygen and nitrogen containing chemicals. All substances occurred at distinct concentration levels in the mask models. Total phthalates ranged in masks from