{"hq_id":"hq-p-spe-000013","name":"Disposable Face Mask (surgical/procedural)","category":{"primary":"specialty","secondary":"medical_PPE","tags":["PPE","microplastics","pandemic","healthcare"]},"product_tier":"SPE","overall_risk_level":"low","description":"Single-use surgical/procedural face masks (3-ply polypropylene). Melt-blown polypropylene middle layer provides filtration. May contain titanium dioxide nanoparticles in outer layer, formaldehyde residues from manufacturing, and VOC off-gassing. Microplastic fiber shedding from inner layer contacts mouth/nose. Mass pandemic use (129 billion masks/month at peak) created both environmental and occupational exposure concerns.","synthesis":{"derived_risk_level":"insufficient_data","synthesis_confidence":0,"synthesis_method":"none","context_source":null,"compounds_resolved":0,"compounds_total":0,"synthesis_date":"2026-05-09","synthesis_version":"1.2.0","methodology_note":"exposure_modifier and adjusted_magnitude are computed from ALETHEIA-calibrated heuristics (route × duration × frequency multipliers, clamped to [0.5, 1.4]). Multipliers are directionally informed by EPA Exposure Factors Handbook (2011) and CalEPA OEHHA but are not regulatory consensus. See /api/methodology for full disclosure."},"hazard_summary":{"overall_risk":"low","primary_concerns":["Microplastic fiber inhalation from inner layer","TiO2 nanoparticles in some masks","Formaldehyde residues from manufacturing","Environmental pollution (129B masks/month at pandemic peak)"],"sensitive_populations":"Healthcare workers (all-day wear), children, individuals with respiratory conditions","exposure_routes":"Inhalation (breathing through mask), dermal (face contact)"},"exposure":{"routes":["inhalation","dermal"],"contact_types":[],"users":[],"duration":"hours per day","frequency":"daily","scenarios":["Dermal contact during handling of Disposable Face Mask (surgical/procedural) (hours per day contact)","Inhalation exposure during use of Disposable Face Mask (surgical/procedural)"],"notes":"Direct mouth/nose contact; breathing through material"},"consumer_guidance":{"red_flags":["Strong chemical smell","Unknown manufacturer with no certification","Reusing single-use masks extensively"],"green_flags":["ASTM F2100 or EN 14683 certified","Known medical supply manufacturer","Proper fit with nose wire"],"what_to_ask":["What ASTM/EN level is this?","Is it tested for VOC off-gassing?"],"alternatives":["Reusable cloth masks with replaceable filters","KN95/N95 for higher filtration","Biodegradable mask options"],"notes":null},"regulatory":{"applicable_regulations":["FDA 510(k) (medical device)","ASTM F2100","EN 14683 (EU)","NIOSH (N95 respirators)"],"certifications":[],"labeling":{},"recalls":[],"regulatory_gap":null,"notes":null},"lifecycle":{"recyclable":"no (mixed plastics)","disposal_guidance":"Single use; cut ear loops before disposal (wildlife); landfill","hazardous_waste":false,"expected_lifespan":"single use (4-8 hours)"},"formulation":{"form":"3_ply_mask","key_ingredients":[{"hq_id":null,"name":"Polypropylene (melt-blown)","role":"filtration_layer","concentration_pct":"60-70"},{"hq_id":null,"name":"Polypropylene (spunbond)","role":"outer_inner_layer","concentration_pct":"25-35"},{"hq_id":null,"name":"Nose wire (metal)","role":"fit","concentration_pct":"1-2"},{"hq_id":null,"name":"Elastic ear loops (polyester/spandex)","role":"retention","concentration_pct":"2-3"}],"certifications":["ASTM F2100 (Level 1-3)","EN 14683 (Type I-IIR)"]},"materials":{"common":[],"concerning":[],"preferred":[]},"compound_composition":[],"identifiers":{"manufacturer":"","common_names":[],"aliases":[],"brands":[]},"brand_examples":[{"brand":"Generic Mass-Market Brand A","manufacturer":"Consumer Products Corporation","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Widely available mass-market option"},{"brand":"Generic Mass-Market Brand B","manufacturer":"Consumer Goods Ltd","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Popular budget alternative"},{"brand":"Premium Brand A","manufacturer":"Premium Consumer Inc","market_position":"premium","notable":"Upscale premium positioning"},{"brand":"Professional Brand","manufacturer":"Professional Products Co","market_position":"professional","notable":"Professional/salon-grade option"},{"brand":"Specialty Eco-Brand","manufacturer":"Natural Products Ltd","market_position":"premium","notable":"Sustainable/natural product line"}],"brand_examples_disclaimer":"Representative branded products of this category. Concerning ingredients listed in materials.concerning[] apply to the category, not necessarily to every named brand. Specific formulations vary by SKU and may have changed since this record was written; consult the brand's current ingredient label before drawing brand-level conclusions.","sources":[{"type":"expert_curation","name":"ALETHEIA Safety Database","date":"2026-03-23"},{"type":"regulation","title":"FDA 510(k) (medical device)","jurisdiction":"","id":"src_3e41e982"},{"type":"regulation","title":"ASTM F2100","jurisdiction":"","id":"src_e034912f"},{"type":"regulation","title":"EN 14683 (EU)","jurisdiction":"","id":"src_fee6dece"},{"type":"regulation","title":"NIOSH (N95 respirators)","jurisdiction":"","id":"src_3b6bf2ea"}],"meta":{"schema_version":"4.0.0","last_updated":"2026-03-25","timestamp":"2026-05-14T01:24:28.168Z"}}