Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

LiberalArkie

(16,373 posts)
Fri May 29, 2020, 07:04 PM May 2020

Free masks provided by the state of Tennessee treated with registered pesticide



CLEVELAND, Tenn. — In an investigation first reported by NewsChannel 5 in Nashville, they found the free masks provided by the state of Tennessee were treated with a registered pesticide called Silvadur. The masks are produced at a Cleveland, Tennessee sock manufacturing plant, Renfro Corporation.

According to one of our previous stories from early May, TEMA said, "The masks are washable, reusable, and treated with Silvadur, a non-toxic silver antimicrobial good for 25 industrial washes."

A document on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website says Silvadur can "cause irreversible eye damage, cause skin burns" and that it is "harmful if swallowed" and "harmful if absorbed through skin."

The EPA document from 2017 also says Silvadur is "harmful if inhaled."


Snip

https://newschannel9.com/news/local/free-masks-provided-by-the-state-of-tennessee-treated-with-registered-pesticide
7 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Free masks provided by the state of Tennessee treated with registered pesticide (Original Post) LiberalArkie May 2020 OP
Jesus Christ how can that even happen. gibraltar72 May 2020 #1
Who thought that this was a good idea? procon May 2020 #2
Not surprised.... paleotn May 2020 #3
Maskthecity is using the masks from Renfro LiberalArkie May 2020 #4
Thanks for the info. Alacritous Crier May 2020 #5
Pesticide or Antimicrobial? Duppers May 2020 #6
I think that the Silvadur AQ is the bad stuff. Silvadur is bad during the application it seems. LiberalArkie May 2020 #7

procon

(15,805 posts)
2. Who thought that this was a good idea?
Fri May 29, 2020, 07:17 PM
May 2020

No pesticide is safe for skin contact, or for use near eyes, nose or mouth. Then there's the matter of inhaling the pesticide fumes and residues. These these things are expected to happen with even short term use, let alone prolonged use.

Even if Tennessee Was handing them out as freebies, was the cost a factor that played into the purchasing decision? Did someone get a little sumthin on the side to persuade them to buy these masks vs the non-pesticide versions that were not contaminated?

Duppers

(28,242 posts)
6. Pesticide or Antimicrobial?
Sat May 30, 2020, 09:45 AM
May 2020

"Antimicrobial products kill or slow the spread of microbes or microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, protozoans, and fungi such as mold and mildew. The antimicrobial effect of silver ions (Ag+) has been known for centuries."

Not as a pesticide.

LiberalArkie

(16,373 posts)
7. I think that the Silvadur AQ is the bad stuff. Silvadur is bad during the application it seems.
Sat May 30, 2020, 10:05 AM
May 2020

But once it has cured seems to be ok. Shirts, pants etc are coated with it to stop germ growth.

Latest Discussions»Region Forums»Tennessee»Free masks provided by th...