The State of Tennessee has stopped distributing face masks provided to health departments for citizens to use during the coronavirus outbreak. The decision comes after the masks were found to be treated with a chemical. The state wants to get more information about Silvadur, an anti-microbial agent applied to fabrics to reduce growth of bacteria that cause odor.

Silvadur, which is a pesticide, and according to a 2017 EPA report is dangerous to inhale and can cause skin to burn.

A Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) spokesperson said in a press release that, “The masks are washable, reusable, and treated with Silvadur, a non-toxic silver antimicrobial good for 25 industrial washes.”

Renfro Corporation CEO Stan Jewell says the actual chemical that is in the free masks is Silvadur 390 FLEX. Jewell says the missing detail was a common mistake, but it has caused confusion. The company said the masks are “harmless to human health and are serving the specific purpose outlined by U.S. and State of Tennessee health officials.”

The Renfro Corporation secured an $8.2 million, no-bid contract for more than 5 million masks for distribution for free in Tennessee. The state has already distributed just over 3 million of them.

State officials said it is up to individuals who already have one of the masks to decide on their own whether or not they want to wear it.