Claim: Facebook post Says a warning label on a box of disposable masks shows that they are ineffective at protecting against the spread of COVID-19.
Verdict: REFUTES

Retrieved passages:
title: Surgical mask
text: bacteria or virus particles and are less effective than respirators, which are designed for this purpose. Simple surgical masks protect wearers from being splashed in the mouth with body fluids, and prevent transmission of body fluids from the wearer to others, e.g. the patient. They also remind wearers not to touch their mouth or nose, which could otherwise transfer viruses and bacteria after having touched a contaminated surface (fomite). They can also reduce the spread of infectious liquid droplets (carrying bacteria or viruses) that are created when the wearer coughs or sneezes. There is no clear evidence that disposable face

title: Lymantria dispar multicapsid nuclear polyhedrosis virus
text: birds, and fish at field doses. While it is non-toxic to warm-blooded animals, impurities may cause eye irritation. The appearance is listed as, "dried insect body parts and virus polyhedral" and has a musty odor. For handlers and mixers, normal clothes, a medical face mask and goggles are recommended. In case of skin contact, wash with soap and water. If in eyes, flush with water. If irritation persists, seek medical attention. LdMNPV has undergone numerous tests in regards to toxicity and mortality, all of which show no adverse effects except varying irritation for ocular doses administered to the eyes of

title: Legionella longbeachae
text: mask covering the nose and mouth to reduce the risk of inhaling the dust is needed, especially for those at high risk from infection. Studies advocate the introduction of an industry standard that ensures the use of face masks when handling potting mix and attaching masks and warning labels to potting mix bags sold to the public. Compost packaging in Australia has an "L. longbeachae" warning label. The New South Wales state government recommends that people reduce exposure to potting mix dust by following the manufacturers' warning present on potting mix labels, including: Early symptoms include fever, chills, headache, shortness

title: Cellulose acetate film
text: Enclosures that are breathable or that contain an acid absorbent are instrumental in reducing the rate of decay due to vinegar syndrome. Sealed metal containers can trap the decay products released by the film, promoting the spread of vinegar syndrome. During early stages of decay, the film content can be rescued by transferring it to new film stock. Once the film becomes brittle it cannot be copied in its original quality in sight and sound. Because the gelatin emulsion usually stays intact during the degradation process, it is possible to save the image on sheet film using solvents to dissolve

title: Lymantria dispar multicapsid nuclear polyhedrosis virus
text: to the reason for the reaction. Three studies on rabbits found no irritation, toxicity or mortality with dermal application. Three studies with application to the eye found no significant irritation. Two studies found evidence of irritation in ocular tests. A third study using LdMNPV powder in a 50 mg dose was found to be a moderate eye irritant; a test rabbit died during this study, but its death was found not to be of LdMNPV, the findings noted the presence of diarrhea. Irritation was reported in a study using 'LDP 53 air dried sample' lasting from 4 to 14 days;

title: Polyvinyl chloride
text: items that can be put in the mouth even though the EU scientific risk assessment concluded that its use in toys does not pose a risk to human health or the environment. The rigorous EU risk assessments, which include a high degree of conservatism and built-in safety factors, have been carried out under the strict supervision of the European Commission and provide a clear scientific evaluation on which to judge whether or not a particular substance can be safely used. The FDA Paper titled "Safety Assessment of Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP)Released from PVC Medical Devices" states that [3.2.1.3] Critically ill or injured

title: Divisoria
text: by the EcoWaste involved imitation lipstick, which also contains harmful concentrations of lead. At minimum, the screened products contained 55 parts per million (ppm), 35 ppm above from the maximum limit set by Asean Cosmetic Directive. Two samples contained traces of mercury. Even Senator De Lima advocated against this phenomenon in her announcement, "This is a threat to public health. It’s alarming that people who are looking for low-cost alternatives to the popular and expensive brands can easily be fooled into buying the cheap products without knowing that these goods can endanger their life." The traffic problem in Divisoria is

title: 2002–2003 SARS outbreak among healthcare workers
text: and fluid from escaping into the air—keeping both a patient and a HCW's bacteria and fluid to themselves. Less intentionally but also important, these masks discourage patients and HCWs from putting their fingers or hands in contact with the nose and mouth, which could usually allow bacteria to spread from the hand to these areas. Contrary to popular belief, some types of masks do little to prevent fluid and bacteria from coming in contact with the wearer of the mask, but they can still help prevent airborne infection. Therefore, it is important that both the patient and the HCW wear

title: 2009 flu pandemic
text: persons, but it is unknown whether they prevent H1N1 flu infection. Yukihiro Nishiyama, professor of virology at Nagoya University's School of Medicine, commented that the masks are "better than nothing, but it's hard to completely block out an airborne virus since it can easily slip through the gaps". According to mask manufacturer 3M, masks will filter out particles in industrial settings, but "there are no established exposure limits for biological agents such as swine flu virus". However, despite the lack of evidence of effectiveness, the use of such masks is common in Asia. They are particularly popular in Japan, where

title: 2009 flu pandemic in the United Kingdom
text: that patient to surgery staff and other patients. I expect the Department of Health will issue guidance on use of face-masks if we move into a pandemic phase." Masks may not protect the wearer from inhalation of the virus, but might protect other people from picking up the virus from the wearer. Professor John Oxford, a virologist at leading London hospital, The Barts and the London, said: "Really, there is very little evidence that masks actually offer much protection against flu." It was reported that the UK government was urgently seeking to acquire more face-masks. The advice given by authorities

title: Tobacco packaging warning messages
text: anti-smoking campaigns by placing the new warnings on packaging violates the companies' free speech rights. Additionally, R.J. Reynolds, Lorillard, Commonwealth Brands Inc., Liggett Group LLC and Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company Inc. claimed that the graphic labels are an unconstitutional way of forcing tobacco companies to engage in anti-smoking advocacy on the government's behalf. A First Amendment lawyer, Floyd Abrams, represented the tobacco companies in the case, contending that requiring graphic warning labels on a lawful product cannot withstand constitutional scrutiny. The Association of National Advertisers and the American Advertising Federation also filed a brief in the suit, arguing that

title: Glyphosate
text: predicted for potentially exposed non-target organisms". Acute toxicity and chronic toxicity are dose-related. Skin exposure to ready-to-use concentrated glyphosate formulations can cause irritation, and photocontact dermatitis has been occasionally reported. These effects are probably due to the preservative benzisothiazolin-3-one. Severe skin burns are very rare. Inhalation is a minor route of exposure, but spray mist may cause oral or nasal discomfort, an unpleasant taste in the mouth, or tingling and irritation in the throat. Eye exposure may lead to mild conjunctivitis. Superficial corneal injury is possible if irrigation is delayed or inadequate. Death has been reported after deliberate overdose. Ingestion

title: Laundry detergent pod
text: swallowing Tide Pods, Procter & Gamble said they would make this product more difficult to open by adding a double latch to the lid, and has also re-focused their advertising to make clear the product should be out of a child's reach at all times. The packaging was also changed to an opaque orange rather than the original clear plastic gumball machine-type presentation to make them look less enticing; other manufacturers followed suit with equivalent packaging changes. In 2013, Consumer Reports stated that there had been nearly 7,700 reported incidents in which children age 5 or younger had been exposed

title: Coccidioidomycosis
text: is key to preparedness in the medical field in addition to improving diagnostics for early infections. Currently there are no completely effective preventive measures available for people who live or travel through Valley Fever -endemic areas. Recommended preventive measures include avoiding airborne dust or dirt, but this does not guarantee protection against infection. People in certain occupations may be advised to wear face masks. The use of air filtration indoors is also helpful, in addition to keeping skin injuries clean and covered to avoid skin infection. In 1998-2011, there were 111,117 cases of coccidioidomycosis in the U.S. that were logged

title: Surgical mask
text: masks worn by members of the surgical team would reduce the risk of wound infections after clean surgical procedures. Cotton and gauze masks do not serve as surgical masks as they do not offer adequate filtration of microbes. Evidence supports the effectiveness of surgical masks in reducing the risk of infection among other healthcare workers and in the community. In community settings, facemasks must be coupled with other measures such as avoiding close contact and maintaining good hand hygiene to reduce the risk of getting influenza according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in its guidance regarding the

title: Lymantria dispar multicapsid nuclear polyhedrosis virus
text: toxicity indicated had an antigen response in treated mice. A long-term test also confirmed this. A study into ocular irritation in rats found no irritation after the animals were observed for 21 days. Three inhalation tests found no mortality or toxicity. An inhalation study in sacrificed animals found the persistence of NPV of 95.96% at day 1, 68.0% at day 7 and 8.09% at day 14. One intraperitoneal study found no mortality or adverse effects. A study done by Shope et al. 1975 done by inoculation had a bacterial abscess at the site of inoculation, but did not differ between

title: Polybrominated biphenyl
text: degraded by UV light. PBBs are used as flame retardants of the brominated flame retardant group. They are added to plastics used in products such as home electrical appliances, textiles, plastic foams, laptop cabinets, etc. to make them difficult to burn. Exposure to the coplanar stereoisomer 3,3',4,4',5,5'-hexabromobiphenyl (but not the non-coplanar stereoisomer) in genetically susceptible mice is known to cause immunotoxicity and disorders related to the central nervous system, and even at doses as low as 2.5 mg/kg, excess neonatal fatalities are observed (LD is from 5–10 mg/kg). The mechanism of toxicity is cellular oxidative stress by aryl hydrocarbon receptor

title: FM12 NBC Respirator
text: be found on the surplus market but are considerably rarer than the S10. Two filter canisters are issued for the FM12, as with the S10; a light pressed metal type for riot control situations or training (marked with a painted red stripe or red tape), and a heavier plastic encased type for protection against NBC agents. The latter have a maximum shelf-life of 10 years, and the mask itself (the facepiece) of 20 years. The mask was designed around the S10, but has several design differences. The characteristics it shares in common with the S10 are the fail-safe drinking device,

title: Clostridium difficile infection
text: precautions should remain in place among those in hospital for at least 2 days after the diarrhea has stopped. Bleach wipes containing 0.55% sodium hypochlorite have been shown to kill the spores and prevent transmission between patients. Installing lidded toilets and closing the lid prior to flushing also reduces the risk of contamination. Those who have CDIs should be in rooms with other people with CDIs or by themselves when in hospital. Common hospital disinfectants are ineffective against "C. difficile" spores, and may promote spore formation, but disinfectants containing a 10:1 ratio of water to bleach effectively kill the spores.

title: Polyvinylpyrrolidone
text: Polyvinylpyrrolidone Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), also commonly called polyvidone or povidone, is a water-soluble polymer made from the monomer "N"-vinylpyrrolidone: PVP was used as a plasma volume expander for trauma victims after the 1950s. It is used as a binder in many pharmaceutical tablets; it simply passes through the body when taken orally. (However, autopsies have found that crospovidone (PVPP) contributes to pulmonary vascular injury in substance abusers who have injected pharmaceutical tablets intended for oral consumption. The long-term effects of crospovidone or povidone within the lung are unknown.) PVP added to iodine forms a complex called povidone-iodine that possesses disinfectant properties.