On March 3, 2023, a comprehensive assessment of MASKING during the COVID-19 pandemic was published by a team of Korean researchers led by an Independent Surgeon practicing privately.
Researchers from Jeonbuk National University in South Korea looked at two types of disposable medical-grade masks and several reusable cotton masks.
The review delves into the use of masks in the context of the pandemic, presenting a wealth of information drawn from 172 references.
Key findings are summarized below:
- A considerable portion of the global population, approximately 58%, faced a “mask obligation.”
- Outdoor air comprises a minute 0.04% of carbon dioxide (CO2).
- Wearing masks for durations surpassing 5 minutes corresponds to CO2 levels ranging from 1.4% to 3.2%.
The study highlights the implications of Carbon Dioxide Re-breathing as follows:
- After 30 minutes of usage, surgical masks result in CO2 levels of 2.8-3.2% (U.Butz, 2005).
- Within 1 minute, N95 masks lead to 0.9% CO2 (T.Blad, 2020).
- N95 masks worn for 5 minutes trigger CO2 levels of 1.28% to 3.52% (Sinkule, 2013).
- After 60 minutes, N95 masks manifest CO2 levels of 2.8-3.2% (Roberge, 2010).
The review also underscores the impact of acute and chronic CO2 toxicity:
- Exposure to 2.5-3.5% CO2 for 10 minutes heightens cerebral blood flow by 100%, potentially leading to headaches.
- This exposure could result in hyperventilation and metabolic changes, including acidosis.
In regard to chronic CO2 toxicity, as revealed by animal studies:
- Neuron damage, neuron destruction, heightened anxiety, and impaired learning and memory occur at 0.3% CO2 levels (rat studies).
- Adolescents exposed to 0.5% CO2 levels face testicular toxicity (rat studies demonstrate diminished fertility in testes after a 4-hour exposure at 2.5% CO2).
- Stillbirths are linked to 0.8% CO2 levels (a safety threshold set by the US Navy for the female submarine crew, based on rat studies that suggest fetal malformations, post-implantation loss, and reduced viable fetuses).
Additional significant findings include:
- N95 and surgical masks exhibit suboptimal performance against coronavirus and influenza virus particles (though they fare better against larger bacterial particles).
- Data on children wearing masks for 270 minutes per day reveals discomfort among 68%, with side effects including irritability, headache, difficulty concentrating, reduced happiness, reluctance to attend school/kindergarten, malaise, impaired learning, and fatigue.
- Pregnant women subjected to mandatory masking may surpass CO2 toxicity limits defined by the US Navy for female submarine crew.
The review also addresses the potential correlation between mask mandates and stillbirths:
- A potential 28% global increase in stillbirths is examined.
- Instances from Italy reveal a threefold rise in stillbirths during a lockdown period (March-May 2020), which included mask mandates.
- Observations indicate that Sweden, without mask mandates, did not experience an increase in stillbirths.
A mechanism involving heightened CO2 and blood acidity triggering compensatory responses that lead to placental calcifications is proposed.
The review further suggests that CO2 contributes to oxidative stress, potentially hindering fetal development and leading to DNA mutations, inflammation, an imbalanced immune response, and early pregnancy loss.
The study also references a Rhode Island child neurodevelopment study suggesting that N95 mask usage by pregnant women could result in reduced verbal, motor, and cognitive performance in their children.
The Conclusion
This study predominantly focused on CO2 re-breathing toxicity.
The researchers acknowledge that other harmful agents present in masks, such as synthetic microfibers, carcinogenic compounds, and volatile organic compounds, could contribute to long-term toxic effects.
The review provides a comprehensive summary of animal studies, emphasizing the ineffectiveness of masking against coronaviruses and influenza viruses and the potential harm inflicted on vulnerable groups like pregnant women, children, and adolescents.
The adverse consequences of mask usage, even for brief durations, encompass irreversible neuron damage, testicular toxicity, and stillbirths, among other effects.