Investigation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) residues and retention rates in two different face masks used during the COVID-19 lockdown period

This study aimed to determine the polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations in the ambient air and in face masks of different configurations and to reveal how much masks protect from cancer risk. The total concentrations of 43 PCB congeners (∑₄₃PCBs) in the particulate phase, measured with a high-volume air sampler (HVAS), were 169.2±30.7 pg/m³ and the ∑₄₃PCBs concentrations in surgical masks were found to be 201.6±66.6 pg/m³. Similarly, the ∑₄₃PCBs concentrations in double surgical masks were 297.7±62.3 pg/m³ and 126.7±31.7 pg/m³ in non-surgical masks (cloth masks). A typical surgical mask consists of three layers (outer, filter and inner). The ∑₄₃PCBs concentrations in the outer, filter and inner layers were 273.5±8.8, 199.1±25.7 and 132.1±25.9 pg/m³, respectively. Finally, it has been determined how much the masks reduce the risk of cancer that may occur through inhalation of PCBs. According to the results, the mask with the lowest protection was the cloth mask, while the mask with the highest protection was the double surgical mask.