AI Article Synopsis

  • A study was conducted to assess the inhaled air carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration in individuals wearing masks, as existing research on potential side effects is limited.
  • Researchers measured CO2 levels in 146 healthy volunteers using surgical masks and FFP2 respirators, finding that CO2 concentrations were significantly higher with respirators, particularly in children and adults with increased breathing rates.
  • The findings suggest that if validated, current mask guidelines may need to be reconsidered due to the high levels of CO2 exposure experienced while wearing these masks.

Article Abstract

Background: Face masks are recommended based on the assumption that they protect against SARS-CoV-2 transmission, however studies on their potential side effects are still lacking. We aimed to evaluate the inhaled air carbon dioxide (CO) concentration, when wearing masks.

Methods: We measured end-tidal CO using professional side-stream capnography, with water-removing tubing, (1) without masks, (2) wearing a surgical mask, and (3) wearing a FFP2 respirator (for 5 minutes each while seated after 10 minutes of rest), in 146 healthy volunteers aged 10 to 90 years, from the general population of Ferrara, Italy. The inhaled air CO concentration was computed as: ([mask volume × end-tidal CO] + [tidal volume - mask volume] × ambient air CO)/tidal volume.

Results: With surgical masks, the mean CO concentration was 7091 ± 2491 ppm in children, 4835 ± 869 in adults, and 4379 ± 978 in the elderly. With FFP2 respirators, this concentration was 13 665 ± 3655 in children, 8502 ± 1859 in adults, and 9027 ± 1882 in the elderly. The proportion showing a CO concentration higher than the 5000 ppm (8-hour average) acceptable threshold for workers was 41.1% with surgical masks, and 99.3% with FFP2 respirators. Adjusting for age, gender, BMI, and smoking, the inhaled air CO concentration significantly increased with increasing respiratory rate (mean 10 837 ±3712 ppm among participants ⩾18 breaths/minute, with FFP2 respirators), and among the minors.

Conclusion: If these results are confirmed, the current guidelines on mask-wearing should be reevaluated.

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Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9483963PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/11786302221123573DOI Listing

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