Recall of millions of FFP2 graphene masks
Thanks to an article in Mediapart, we learned of the recall by the French authorities of FFP2 masks containing graphene. These masks come from the Chinese manufacturer Shandong Shengquan, whose other category of masks was recalled in Canada last March, triggering a cascade of recalls thereafter. The note from Santé publique France was published on the ANSM website on May 25, without much publicity. Nearly 17 million of the 60 million masks ordered were distributed to caregivers in 2020. A risk assessment by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is reportedly underway .
As a reminder, on May 26, the Institut de recherche québécois en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST) evaluated the toxicity and release of graphene nanoparticles contained in masks from the same manufacturer (but a different model), concluding that “the potential for exposure to graphene particles through inhalation is very low” but also that “in humans the risk is indeed present and may not be negligible”.
Our information sheets to go further
Upcoming Nano Agenda
- Feedback on Anses’ 2024 research and stakeholders meetings on undone sciences regarding nanomaterials, radio frequency and biotechnologies
- Participants: ANSES staff, researchers, NGOs, representatives of industry federations
- Organizer: ANSES
- Website: www.anses.fr/fr/content/journees-rencontre-recherche-parties-prenantes-anses-2024
- 6th interdisciplinary nanoscience congress, dedicated to all academic and industrial scientists in nanoscience and nanotechnology, including researchers, engineers, PhD students, post-docs, etc.
- March 18 to 21, 2025
- Organizers: Centre national de Compétences en Nanosciences du CNRS, C’Nano
- Website: https://cnano2025.sciencesconf.org
- Advanced Characterization Techniques in Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology
- 10th European Congress on Advanced Nanotechnology and Nanomaterials
- 14 and 15 April 2025
- Website: https://nanomaterialsconference.com