유통 의약외품 마스크의 포름알데히드 잔류 실태 조사

Survey on Residual Levels of Formaldehyde in Commercial Quasi-Masks

Background: Formaldehyde is one of the hazardous substances of which traces can remain in daily life and various manufacturing processes, including in the environment and food, and needs to be investigated in various manners for integrated risk assessment. Objectives: Residual amounts of formaldehyde were investigated to confirm residual levels of formaldehyde in commercial quasi-masks distributed in markets. Methods: Acetylacetone and 2,4-DNPH derivatization methods were comparatively evaluated. The validated analysis method for quantification was derivatization with 2,4-DNPH, followed by extraction for one hour at 40°C and reaction for 30 minutes. Results: A total of 71 quasi-mask samples were tested. Formaldehyde was detected in 34 cases with concentrations ranging from 0.08 to 1.37 µg/g. Among the detected products, 55.9% were colored, and 73.5% were intended for adults (as opposed to children’s products). Even if the quasi-medical mask was contaminated at a concentration of 4 mg/piece, it decreased by 95.0% within two to four hours with ventilation. Conclusions: No significant difference in residual amounts was observed between the white and colored groups, and formaldehyde was found to be associated with size (weight).