Under Armour Masks - Polyhexanide Risk?

[thetapeworm]

I had no idea where to post this so sorry if this doesn't fit here.

I've been wearing Under Armour Sportsmasks for over a year now and liked them (other than the nose wire breaking after a few months) but I've just become aware of something that doesn't appear to have become that mainstream considering how popular they seemingly are (they sold out a lot previously).

The masks supposedly contain Polyhexanide (PHMB). PHMB is supposedly harmful if inhaled and can cause an allergic skin reaction.

By inhalation, it can cause damage to organs through repeated exposure and is also suspected of causing cancer.

The mask apparently doesn't comply with the EU Biocidal Products Regulations or with the requirements of the EU General Product Safety Directive.

They're supposed to have been remaking them without Polyhexanide but have been totally silent on this, even with customers like me that have bought multiple masks from them directly. Am I overreacting to think maybe they should have been duty-bound to share this with those who bought them?

Source: https://ec.europa.eu/safety-gate-alerts/screen/web...

Which? report - the only mainstream mention I can find;
https://www.which.co.uk/news/2021/04/under-armour-...

I've had breathing difficulties for about a year that my GP put down to possible long Covid, general checks and hospital tests have found nothing at all though, as someone that's worn the UA masks 99% of the time when a mask is needed now I'm curious and amazed this hasn't received more coverage, even from the anti-mask types.

I only found this today when I went online to buy another UA mask but was looking to see if any were on offer.

I guess I need some new masks.

Edited by thetapeworm on Tuesday 22 June 11:39

[Bacon Is Proof]

So you've had breathing difficulties for exactly the same amount of time that you've been wearing a mask?
Stop wearing a mask.
Doesn't seem like rocket science.
If you fancy a pint just tell them you're exempt.

[thetapeworm]

It's not "wearing a mask" in the general sense of it, I can breathe just fine while wearing a mask, I'm not restricted by it when trying to consume oxygen. The issue I have is that, right now for example at home with no mask on, I feel like I'm on limited lung capacity and can't breathe in as much air as I'd like to.

It could just be a hay-fever symptom or something else entirely, I'm just a little perturbed by this particular report and find it odd it's not made the news in any form.

I've no intention of donning a sunflower lanyard, I can wear masks, just maybe not UA ones any more.

[Driller]

OP, could be acid reflux

[Some Gump]

This is the problem with the internet.

A mask not adhering to the biocidal products directive? No st? Of course it wouldn't, it's not a biocide.

Next up: domestos commonly sold in tescos doesnt conform to EN388.

[thetapeworm]

Some Gump said:

This is the problem with the internet.

A mask not adhering to the biocidal products directive? No st? Of course it wouldn't, it's not a biocide.

Next up: domestos commonly sold in tescos doesnt conform to EN388.

It's the Polyhexanide (a biocide) in the mask that doesn't adhere to the directive though surely?

I fully get what you're saying here and almost didn't post this as I knew a backlash was inevitable but it's not as if I have a reputationto lose and I thought it was odd that this wasn't more sensationalised by the media.

[Jamescrs]

If you are concerned about it I'd say just give up wearing the mask and go for a bog standard blue/white paper job.

At the start of this I was wearing more fabric based branded masks or with logos on etc but ive fairly quickly realised the standard blue and white ones are more breathable so I use those all the time now.

[m_cozzy]

You don't need a sunflower badge to not wear a mask.

[thetapeworm]

Jamescrs said:

If you are concerned about it I'd say just give up wearing the mask and go for a bog standard blue/white paper job.

At the start of this I was wearing more fabric based branded masks or with logos on etc but ive fairly quickly realised the standard blue and white ones are more breathable so I use those all the time now.

I suspect you're right there, I've tried a number of "normal" types that just don't fit very well and hopefully the end is in sight for all of this so I'll just order up some more disposable ones to replace the ones I have that were made upside down so the pleats catch airborne stuff in them

m_cozzy said:

You don't need a sunflower badge to not wear a mask.

I know, I was being a drama queen but at the same time I'm not against the idea of wearing a mask anyway so I'm not about to get into all of that.

[davey83]

Wear a mask, any mask the least amount of time possible - you'll feel much better.

[thetapeworm]

This is UA's reply to a quick email I fired off to them yesterday asking for their take on the situation, I hadn't stated that I didn't want to wear the mask or anything like that, it was a basic "I've just seen this, is there any truth in it" email:

Under Armour said:

Under Armour prioritizes the health and safety of our consumer and we will always strive to do right by them. We believe our mask is safe and approved for use, but due to regulatory changes in the European Union (EU) and the evolving landscape surrounding the development of masks, Under Armour recently made the decision to no longer sell our SPORTSMASK on our e-commerce sites in the EU. While we maintain that the Under Armour SPORTSMASK is safe, we recognize that you may not want to continue to wear the mask, given this change in the regulatory landscape.
Please feel free to contact us again, should you have any further questions.
Kind regards,
Customer service
Maria
I WILL PROTECT THIS HOUSE!

I'm a bit concerned about Maria's email signature and the levels she'll go to in order to protect the house so I'll leave it there.