Article updated again......

Health Canada has requested data from manufacturers to assess potential health risks, it said.

That includes local company ZEN Graphene Solutions, which has supplied graphene-based coating for masks and filters made by Collingwood-based Trebor Rx.

A surgical mask using the graphene coating has not yet gone to market, but could potentially have begun distribution this month.

Reached Sunday, ZEN CEO Greg Fenton said the masks had undergone rigorous safety testing, including on lab animals, and passed Health Canada testing requirements as a Class I medical device.

Fenton welcomed the investigation and expressed confidence the masks his company contributes material to would be found to be safe.