The effect of activity and face masks on exhaled particles in children.

Importance: Despite the high burden of respiratory infections among children, the production of exhaled particles during common activities and the efficacy of face masks in children have not been sufficiently studied.

Objective: To determine the effect of type of activity and mask usage on exhaled particle production in children.

Methods: Healthy children were asked to perform activities that ranged in intensity (breathing quietly, speaking, singing, coughing, and sneezing) while wearing no mask, a cloth mask, or a surgical mask.