Can the residues from mask disinfection cause cancer?

Recently, a video claiming that "the residual ethylene oxide from masks is a type of carcinogen and you should shake the mask before using it" has been widely circulated on the internet. In the video, a blogger wearing a white coat stated: "During the production of masks, the carcinogen 'ethylene oxide' is used. It's best to shake the mask in the air to remove the 'ethylene oxide' on it." As a result, many people have been extremely frightened of this "mask disinfection residue". 
(Video circulating on the internet)
The truth: Don't panic. The residual amount is far below the level that causes physical harm.
Did the mask residue from disinfection really cause such harm? The reporter interviewed a technical supervisor from the sterilization workshop of Weijiao Group. He explained that currently, medical surgical masks and N95 masks on the market can only be sterilized using ethylene oxide gas due to the nature of the non-woven fabric material. Ethylene oxide is indeed a carcinogen, but it is easily volatile. "Before the product is opened and used, the residual ethylene oxide is in a slow decomposition process." The supervisor introduced.
The national standard GB18279 stipulates that "the decomposition can be carried out in the sterilizer, in an independent area, or in a combination of both conditions." By heating and air exchange in the ethylene oxide sterilization cabinet and the decomposition storage area, the residual ethylene oxide in the product box is rapidly and significantly released. The product has already reached the residual limit requirements, and if combined with the market circulation time of the goods, the residual value will further decrease, which is no longer sufficient to cause carcinogenic risks and other health harms.
The national standard's residual limit for ethylene oxide is far lower than the level that may cause harm to the human body. This is what we often say, "Discussing toxicity without considering the dosage is just a bluff." Therefore, consumers can rest assured to use masks produced by regular enterprises.
Explanation: This carcinogen has long been "targeted" by the industry
The intense promotion of the short video made "ethylene oxide" this chemical substance known to people. In fact, this type of carcinogen "ethylene oxide" had already attracted attention in the medical device industry before entering the public's view.
The technical supervisor from the sterilization workshop of Weijiao Group explained, "Ethylene oxide sterilization" is the most widely used sterilization method in the domestic medical device industry. Due to material properties and product functionality realization, a large part of the products of domestic medical device enterprises use ethylene oxide sterilization. However, the drawback of its residue toxicity is inevitable, so medical device products sterilized by ethylene oxide under the national standard and enterprise standards often need to undergo a 7-15 day decomposition process to eliminate the residue as much as possible.
While the use risks of three types of medical devices that are more dangerous than masks are products that directly come into contact with human blood or drugs, the residual ethylene oxide is more sensitive. For example, if the ethylene oxide residue in injection device products exceeds the limit, it will dissolve in the injection drug, affecting the drug efficacy, and enter the human body at the same time, increasing the use risk.
To avoid these potential harms, there have been "pioneers" in the medical device industry to solve the drawbacks of the traditional "ethylene oxide" sterilization. In 2014, the first medical consumable product irradiation sterilization production line was successfully built and put into operation in Weijiao Group. And it passed the EU CE certification for irradiation sterilization of medical devices.
The technical supervisor from the sterilization workshop of Weijiao Group introduced that compared with traditional "ethylene oxide" sterilization, irradiation sterilization has the advantages of high sterilization efficiency, stable process, no harmful residues, and no environmental pollution. Therefore, products sterilized by irradiation do not need the decomposition process and can more effectively protect the health of medical staff, patients, and production operators. And because there is no harmful substance emission during irradiation, it is indeed friendly to the environment and has solved the drawbacks of traditional "ethylene oxide", gradually becoming an important direction for the selection of sterilization methods for medical device products.
Technological innovation: Weijiao's irradiation sterilization method replaces "toxic" ethylene oxide first
At present, Weijiao's irradiation sterilization technology is becoming increasingly mature, and the products such as dialyzers and collection tubes produced by it have completely replaced "ethylene oxide" sterilization. Catheters, injection needles, and dressing products are also being gradually included. A relevant official from Weigao Group stated that although irradiation sterilization has various advantages, the medical polymer materials used to manufacture medical devices must undergo anti-high-energy radiation anti-aging modification. Therefore, improving the radiation resistance performance of the materials is a major focus. The National Engineering Laboratory for Medical Implant Devices of Weigao Group is currently dedicated to developing special radiation-resistant polymer materials. The radiation-resistant PP, PVC, TPE, PU, PE, etc. developed by them have been widely used and have superior performance compared to ordinary materials. Through material substitution, the range of irradiation sterilization medical device products has been expanding.
At the same time, Weigao Group is also developing products such as masks and protective suits using irradiation sterilization to replace ethylene oxide sterilization products. Once these products are launched, the potential hazards of ethylene oxide to the human body will be eliminated.