In Japan, India, or particularly in China … anti-pollution masks are very popular in Asian countries exposed to high levels of pollution, but are they really effective?
A recent study from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, published in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology, reveals that wearing an antipollution mask does not provide effective protection against microparticles, in addition to giving users a false image of safety.
The researchers examined the most commonly used pollution masks in Asia and Southeast Asia and concluded that “wearing a cloth mask reduces exposure to some extent” but “the most worn are not very effective compared to other products on the market “.
Affordable masks are the least effective
The team of scientists tested the filtering of particles (large and fine) on four masks in total: one surgical type, two fabric, and a final conical shape, fabric, with ventilation valves.
Among the fabric masks, the one with the valves is by far the most efficient, protecting against 80 to 90% of synthetic particles, and nearly 57% of diesel exposures.
Masks made entirely of fabric would be “very little beneficial” in protecting against particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers, considered more dangerous because they are able to penetrate the lungs deeply. In fact, the most affordable fabric masks would only protect against 40 to 65% of standard particles. Surgical-type masks, on the other hand, would perform slightly better than fabric ones.
Ultimately, the results of the study show that the least effective masks more easily prevent exposure to larger particles, but fail to effectively protect against the finest particles, and therefore the most dangerous.
“Unfortunately, the two least effective types of masks are also those that are reusable, sold at a better price and mostly used in developing countries,” the researchers lament.
A health risk for developing countries
Richard Peltier, author of the study, underlines the fact that this study calls into question the health situation of many Asian countries such as Nepal, India or China where this type of inexpensive mask is widely used.
“Millions of people most likely wear these masks feeling protected, but that makes things even worse,” he worries, imagining that a person could “stand next to a diesel truck as they think they are. protected by the mask “.
“This study shows that the limit of protection offered by these fabric masks should be public knowledge,” concludes Kabindra Shakya, co-author of the study.
Coming from exhaust gases, industrial activity or wood heating, certain microparticles are particularly harmful to health. In the order of a few microns, they infiltrate our lungs and can increase the risk of respiratory problems, heart problems and lung cancer. Beyond masks, the best solution to protect yourself in polluted areas is still to limit any intense physical effort.
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