On January 21, 2022, the TASS news agency disseminated information from Roskachestvo (Russian Quality) on a study of the safety and effectiveness of popular protective masks. According to the results of the study, the low ability of masks to trap viruses was allegedly established.

The current regulatory framework (GOST R 58396-2019 «Medical masks. Requirements and test methods») does not provide methods for the study of masks for antiviral protection. In this regard, the Public Council of the Federal Service for Surveillance in Healthcare (Roszdravnadzor) asked for information on the results of the study and information on the validation of the used methodology.

The materials presented by Roskachestvo showed that the studies were carried out on five indicators: pH of the water extract, hygroscopicity before washing, hygroscopicity after washing, fastening strength of the components before washing and fastening strength of the components after washing. There is no information about studies on antiviral protection in the Roskachestvo response.

“From which we can conclude that information about the low degree of antiviral protection of medical masks is inaccurate,” said Victor Dmitriev, Chairman of the Public Council.