In high temperature environment, wearing the mask would make breathing difficult when doing manual work.
- In a hot atmosphere, wearing a mask can lead to respiratory discomfort in the event of moderate physical activity
- No effects on cognitive functions were observed
The mask has been compulsory in all French companies since September 1, 2020. It is accused of causing irritation, pimples or even causing dyspnea, a respiratory discomfort responsible for cognitive disorders and concentration. From researchers at the University of Copenhagen wanted to understand what the real consequences of the mask are on workers.
A small sample
The study was carried out on a small sample of individuals: eight men aged 27 to 41. They tested several situations with them, with and without a mask, at rest or performing a physical activity similar to that of manual work. The participants were in a room heated to 40°C. The researchers analyzed their physiological comfort, then asked them to do math exercises and motor performance tests.
No impact on cognitive performance
Participants’ body temperature increased regardless of the study configuration. “It did not reduce scores when participants responded to cognitive tests”, says Lars Nybo, professor of physiology at the University of Copenhagen. Wearing the mask has no impact on cognitive performance when worn at rest or during moderate physical activity in high temperature environments. On the other hand, it can interfere with breathing when people perform moderate physical activity.
The mask does not cause CO2 poisoning
Anti-maskers have other theories against this new everyday object. Some believe that wearing a mask is responsible for carbon monoxide poisoning. Researchers have dismantled this theory in a research published in Annals of the American Thoracic Society. They assessed carbon dioxide and oxygen levels before and during mask-wearing, in healthy people and in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The effects of the mask are minimal according to this scientific team, even in sick people. “No major physiological changes were observed in the measurement of gas exchange during the use of the surgical mask, in particular in the retention of CO2″they point out.
However, wearing the mask for a long time can have other consequences, real ones this time. For people allergic to latex, care must be taken to wear a mask that does not contain it, otherwise there will be a reaction. It can also aggravate acne in people with oily skin, or cause irritation or eczema.
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