Substandard masks flood market

Cashing in on the ignorance of a large number of people about a medical-grade mask which prevents human body from contracting coronavirus, a group of unscrupulous manufacturers are flooding markets with substandard masks which pose health risks.

Health experts say wearing a mask is the first line of defence against coronavirus transmission to human body but use of a substandard mask risks the spread of virus unconsciously as the wearer of such masks gets a false sense of protection.   

Sounding alarm bells against the low-grade masks, Dr MH Chowdhury Lelin, medicine specialist and chairman of medicine department of Health and Hope Hospital said, the government should make mask mandatory for all and this mask should be coronavirus protective as Bangladesh is now witnessing an uptick of coronavirus infection over the last few weeks thanks to the delta variant. There are many varieties of masks used for medical purposes but all masks don’t protect from coronavirus.”

“Masks play a crucial role in preventing coronavirus and acts as the first line of defence against the intrusion of this virus. Use of proper masks like N-95, KN-95 grade in super spreader like hospitals, clinics and high density populated areas is very important. Surgical masks which have three layers are also virus proof as much as 95 per cent.”

Talking about the poly-tetra-fluoro-ethylene (PTFE) enriched mask, MH Chowdhury Lelin, said, PTFE enriched masks kill virus as well as they are virus-proof. To my knowledge, some researchers claimed that a PTFE-enriched masks kill virus but no independent research has been done to justify the claim.”

Urging the law enforcers to crack down on production and sale of substandard masks, Lelin said, “Our markets, streets and localities are flooded with low-grade masks, giving a false promise of virus protection. Law enforcement agencies should take punitive measures against the sale of low-grade masks for the sake of the people.”

Business insiders said, JMI Group is producing four-layer PTFE-enriched masks in the country with the approval of the Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA).

According to the specification of the JMI face mask (surgical disposable), it is made of non-woven fabric, melt-blown fabric, PTFE membrane and Non-Woven which has an advanced four-ply maximum protection from dust and liquid.

The other features include PTFE membrane filter effectively inhibits germs permeability, a fluid repellent outer layer which prevents liquid entrance and soft and anti-allergic inner layer.

What industry insiders say?

Industry insiders said, various government agencies launched drives against substandard mask producers which is appreciable. Such drives should continue.

Badal Mazumder, office secretary of the Bangladesh Medical Instrument and Hospital Equipment Dealers and Manufacturers Association, said, “We have lodged complaint against the manufacturer and marketing of fake masks to commerce ministry, DGDA, district administration and police headquarters but those went

unheeded.”

“Mask producers and distributors are flooding the market with cheap masks. People are often being deceived by the cheap and substandard masks but the government stumbles to contain the fraudulent companies,” he added.

He said people tend to buy cheap masks available in public buses, on the streets and footpaths. They don’t care about hygiene, rather look for cheap masks. When coronavirus broke out, masks were sold at Tk 10 per piece, now they are selling 5 pieces of mask at the same price.”

“There are plenty of unauthorised mask producing factories in Bosila, Narayanganj, Keraniganj, Kamrangirchar and Savar which are well connected with a section of unscrupulous officials in administration and political leaders are indulged in producing substandard masks. Because of their influence, low-grade and substandard masks are still prevalent in the market,” alleged Badal Mazumder.

What DGDA says

When Md Nurul Islam, a director of DGDA, was approached over the allegation of inaction against fake, substandard masks, said he was not authorised to talk to the media and referred a person named Md Ayub Hossain — also a director of DGDA — to talk about the issue.

Hossain did not respond to repeated requests for comment for this article.