口罩戴前必须“甩一甩”？专家解读来了︱Questions about mask sterilization

最近，一则“口罩残留致癌物，戴前要甩一甩”的短视频引发广泛关注。所以，口罩生产过程有什么问题？又是否需要引起我们重视呢？

A video, claiming the sterilization processes of masks leave carcinogens on the products, has raised concerns among the general public this week. So, what exactly does happen during mask production? Is it really a cause for concern?

1. What is used to sterilize masks?

1、口罩消毒灭菌的方法都有哪些？

Medical masks are sterilized in a variety of ways including with steam, radiation, ethylene oxide and other methods.

医用口罩的消毒方法很多，包括蒸汽熏蒸、辐照灭菌、环氧乙烷消毒等。

Most of the medical and N95 masks available on the market are sterilized by ethylene oxide (EtO). It is an important sterilization method that manufacturers widely use to keep medical devices safe.

市面上出售的医用外科口罩、N95口罩大部分经过环氧乙烷消毒。环氧乙烷消毒法，是口罩产商为确保医疗器械的安全而广泛使用的灭菌方法。

2. Can ethylene oxide residue on masks cause immediate/acute health effects?

2、经环氧乙烷消毒的口罩会对佩戴者健康造成伤害吗？

Only long-term and occupational exposure to EtO has been linked to cancer in research studies.

研究表明，因职业原因，长期接触环氧乙烷才可能致癌。

For major manufacturers that follow production standards and guidelines, the level of residual EtO left on a mask after it has undergone EtO sterilization is within safe limits.

多数口罩产商均遵循产品生产标准，口罩中环氧乙烷残留量符合国家安全标准。

3. How long does ethylene oxide remain in the body?

3、环氧乙烷会在人体内停留多长时间？

EtO is eliminated from the body fairly quickly – with levels dropping by about 50 percent every 42 minutes. At that rate, almost 90 percent of EtO would be gone from the body after two hours.

环氧乙烷在人体内的代谢速度极快，平均每42分钟含量下降50%左右。以此速度计算，两小时后，近90%的环氧乙烷都会被排出体外。

4. Is it necessary to shake a mask before wearing it?

4、佩戴口罩前，有没有必要先“抖一抖口罩”呢？

It is not necessary to shake a mask before wearing it.

没有必要。

Shaking the masks or drying them under the sun before using them is a personal choice. These actions generally do not hinder the protective effect of the mask.

使用前“抖一抖”、“晾一晾”均是个人选择，一般情况下并不妨碍口罩的防护效果。

Medical staffers do not shake their masks because a mask is sterile when taken out of the package. Deliberately shaking and exposing it in the air can cause unintended contamination in places such as hospitals.

医护人员在佩戴口罩前也不会“抖一抖”口罩。口罩刚从包装里拿出来时处于无菌状态。在特定环境，比如医院里，刻意去“抖一抖”，“晾一晾”，反而会污染口罩。

5. Can masks made by smaller manufacturers meet ethylene oxide level safety standards?

5、“小作坊产品”的环氧乙烷残留是否会超标呢？

The costs of EtO sterilization devices are high, so smaller manufacturers generally use other methods of sterilization.

环氧乙烷消毒装置成本较高，因此规模较小的产家通常采取其他方法消毒。

For poorly-made masks, the hygiene of the product poses more health concerns than the level of EtO it may contain.

对于劣质口罩，比起环氧乙烷残留度超标，更值得大家注意的是口罩的卫生情况不好，造成其他健康问题。

6. What is the scientific recommendation for mask-wearing?

6、如何科学佩戴口罩呢？

- People not in a high-risk environment such as in direct contact with respiratory disease patients don't generally need to wear N95 masks.

- 如不处在与呼吸道疾病病人直接接触等高风险环境时，不建议佩戴N95口罩。

- In places where the virus may be present, such as hospitals, closed rooms, and medium risk areas, wearing a medical mask is necessary.

- 在病毒可能出没的地方，如医院、密闭的室内、中风险地区，戴医用外科口罩即可。

- It is recommended to change masks daily.

- 口罩更换频次，建议保持一天一换。

- When not wearing a mask, people can hang the mask up or help preserve it using a clean paper towel.

- 中途需要摘下时，可以把口罩挂起来，或找张干净的纸巾把口罩包起来。

- For the prevention of respiratory and digestive diseases, wearing masks alone is not enough. People must pay attention to hand hygiene and wash their hands frequently.

- 对于呼吸道、消化道疾病的预防，仅配戴口罩还不够。注意手部卫生，勤洗手也是一道重要防线。

sterilize

英 [ˈsterəlaɪz]；美[ˈsterəlaɪz]

vt. 灭菌；消毒；绝育

派生 sterilization

英 [ˌsterəlaɪ'zeɪʃ(ə)n]；美 [ˌsterəlaɪ'zeɪʃ(ə)n]

n. 灭菌；消毒；绝育

carcinogen

英 [kɑːˈsɪnədʒən]；美[kɑːrˈsɪnədʒən]

n. 致癌物

residue

英 [ˈrezɪdjuː]；美[ˈrezɪduː]

n. 残留，残渣；剩余；遗产

contamination

英 [kənˌtæmɪˈneɪʃn]；美[kənˌtæmɪˈneɪʃn]

n. 污染，玷污；污秽

respiratory

英 [rəˈspɪrətri]；美[ˈrespərətɔːri]

adj. 有关呼吸的；呼吸道的

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口罩戴前必须“甩一甩”？专家解读来了︱Questions about mask sterilization