Silicone gel-filled implants.FDA, WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Jean-Claude Mas, founder of the French breast implant manufacturer Poly Implant Prothese (PIP), was arrested yesterday (January 25), reported The Guardian. Under scrutiny since 2010, when investigators learned that PIP used non-medical-grade silicone in its implants, Mas has admitted to producing homemade silicone and telling employees to hide the gel from inspectors. Mas, along with other PIP managers, will face charges of deceptive business practices and fraud.
Previously considered a good combination of low price and reasonable quality, PIP implants rupture more readily than other brands, raising the risk that women will be exposed to the toxic additives in industrial-grade silicone. Last December, the French Agency for the Safety of Health Products recommended to more than 30,000 French women to have their PIP implants removed. ...
