Does That Face Mask Really Protect You?

Bowen, Larry E.

doi:10.1177/153567601001500204

Cited by 46 publications

(40 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…In NIOSH testing, average decreases in exposure while wearing surgical masks ranged from 15 to 40% depending on the mask used [97]. A similar study testing fine NaCl particle exposures with manikins found that the surgical mask decreased exposure 33% on average [95]. An evaluation of surgical masks under actual breathing conditions, using a panel of healthy adults meant to imitate the NIOSH respirator testing panel, demonstrated that of the NaCl test particles in the environment,~30% leaked in around the edges of a surgical mask and 5-8% came through the mask (Fig.…”

Section: Data Regarding the Use Of Non-respirator Masksmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Similarly, a study that evaluated commercially available cloth masks found that the filtration efficiency for ultrafine diesel particles ranged from 10 to 80% depending on the size of the particle and the type of mask [94]. A bandana secured to a manikin reduced fine particulate sized saline aerosol by only 10% on average [95]. So while impressive reductions may theoretically be possible with masks from other materials, it would be unreasonable to expect those sorts of reductions consistently in the real world, unless a regulatory body were to start testing and providing standards for these mask types.…”

Section: Data Regarding the Use Of Non-respirator Masksmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Health effects of wildfire smoke in children and public health tools: a narrative review

Holm

Miller

Balmes

2020

J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol

124

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Wildfire smoke is an increasing environmental health threat to which children are particularly vulnerable, for both physiologic and behavioral reasons. To address the need for improved public health messaging this review summarizes current knowledge and knowledge gaps in the health effects of wildfire smoke in children, as well as tools for public health response aimed at children, including consideration of low-cost sensor data, respirators, and exposures in school environments. There is an established literature of health effects in children from components of ambient air pollution, which are also present in wildfire smoke, and an emerging literature on the effects of wildfire smoke, particularly for respiratory outcomes. Low-cost particulate sensors demonstrate the spatial variability of pollution, including wildfire smoke, where children live and play. Surgical masks and respirators can provide limited protection for children during wildfire events, with expected decreases of roughly 20% and 80% for surgical masks and N95 respirators, respectively. Schools should improve filtration to reduce exposure of our nation's children to smoke during wildfire events. The evidence base described may help clinical and public health authorities provide accurate information to families to improve their decision making.

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Section: Data Regarding the Use Of Non-respirator Masksmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Data Regarding the Use Of Non-respirator Masksmentioning

confidence: 99%

Health effects of wildfire smoke in children and public health tools: a narrative review

Holm

Miller

Balmes

2020

J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol

124

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“…According to research, surgical masks, pre-shaped dust masks, and bandanas offer very little protection (Bowen, 2010) against aerosolized infection. This was also shown in a study in Asia in a health care environment where more than 1,900 hospital workers were asked to wear surgical masks, fit-tested or not fit-tested N95 respirators, or no respirators (MacIntyre, 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Importance of Fit-Testing Particulate Filtering Facepiece Respirators!

Pauli¹,

Karlen

Summermatter³

2014

Appl Biosaf.

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Filtering facepiece respirators should protect people in healthcare settings and in research and diagnostic laboratories from infection from biological agents or from other hazardous particles. To ensure sufficient personal protection, a properly fitting respirator is imperative. However, data about the usefulness of testing the proper fit of such respirators conflict. Some data from health care settings indicate no difference in performance when the respirators were fit-tested or not fit-tested, but other data suggest better performance when respirators were fit-tested. The goal of this study was to quantitatively test in a laboratory environment the fitting of different filtering facepiece type 3 (FFP3) respirators from various manufacturers and to determine the parameters that are important for a good fit-factor. Another aim was to identify the best-fitting respirator for individuals who wear FFP3 respirators during their daily work in a laboratory/animal room environment. The quantitative fit-testing of respirators was performed using a TSI Portacount ® Pro+ Respirator Fit Tester (TSI Incorporated, Shoreview, MN). Fourteen individuals at two different Swiss institutions were tested with 10 different commercially available FFP3 respirators. Only 2 of 14 individuals passed the fit-test with all 10 respirators, and 2 of 14 individuals passed the fit-test with only three respirators. Performance of the respirators varied greatly for the different individuals, and the findings show that several factors contribute to the fitting of a respirator, such as the type of the respirator and the proper donning of the respirator. Study results confirm that a respirator fit-test is necessary because workers often fail to achieve sufficient protection with their respirators.

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“…Mask use, chiefly with a pañuelo, a cloth bandana covering the mouth and nose, is primarily reported by women, here and in other studies (28). Cloth bandanas are of limited effectiveness for respiratory protection (29), and educational campaigns should focus on limiting work under dusty conditions and promoting use of National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)-approved respirators with particulate filters rated N95, N99, N100, P100, or HEPA when such work is necessary. Unfortunately, compliance may be reduced by the practical challenges of using personal respiratory protection, including discomfort and interference with speed and workflow.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 65%

Risk for Coccidioidomycosis among Hispanic Farm Workers, California, USA, 2018

McCurdy¹,

Portillo-Silva²,

Sipan³

et al. 2020

Emerg. Infect. Dis.

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C occidioidomycosis (Valley fever or San Joaquin Valley fever) is a pulmonary and systemic infection that results from respiratory exposure to aerosolized arthroconidia spores of soil-dwelling species of Coccidioides fungi (1). Coccidioides fungi and coccidioidomycosis are strongly associated with the semiarid climate of the Lower Sonoran life zone of the southwestern United States and parts of Mexico, Central America, and South America. Most US cases occur in Arizona and California. However, the fungus and locally acquired cases have recently been reported as far north as Washington state, potentially related to changes in climate and land use patterns (2,3). In California, the species most often implicated in human infection is C. immitis, whereas in Arizona it is C. posadasii (2,3). After an incubation period of ≈1-3 weeks, most infected persons experience few or mild symptoms, and the condition usually resolves within weeks or months, often unrecognized (4,5). Approximately 40% of infected persons experience an influenza-like illness with cough, fever, and fatigue that typically resolves without treatment. Approximately 1% of cases involve dissemination to skin, bone, meninges, and other tissues (6); patients with disseminated disease require long-term antifungal therapy and may die (7). Risk factors for disseminated disease include male sex, age >60 years, pregnancy, immunocompromise, and African and Filipino ancestry (8). Case identification is based on clinically compatible illness with confirmatory laboratory evidence or skin-test conversion (9). Local health departments may find it impractical to obtain clinical information and thus may identify cases solely on the basis of laboratory results (4). Because most cases are subclinical, public health surveillance substantially underestimates infection risk. McCotter et al. estimated that the true number of cases is ≈4-6-fold greater than that captured by public health surveillance (2). Residence in or visits to coccidioidomycosis-endemic areas may lead to exposure and infection. The largest outbreaks have been associated with natural phenomena. A December 1977 dust storm in California's San Joaquin Valley (an area of high coccidioidomycosis endemicity, from which the disease derives its common name) resulted in a ≥10-fold increase in incidence in 15 of the state's 58 counties (1,10). The 1994 Northridge, California, earthquake was responsible for 203 outbreak-associated cases, including 3 deaths (11). Occupational risk has been associated with soil-disruptive activity involving archeologists (12), film crews (13), solar power farm construction workers (14,15), roadway and construction workers

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Does That Face Mask Really Protect You?

Cited by 46 publications

References 3 publications

Health effects of wildfire smoke in children and public health tools: a narrative review

Health effects of wildfire smoke in children and public health tools: a narrative review

The Importance of Fit-Testing Particulate Filtering Facepiece Respirators!

Risk for Coccidioidomycosis among Hispanic Farm Workers, California, USA, 2018

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