Covid-19 and heat: a wet mask increases the risk of contamination

By Marie-Émilie Hugoni Partagersend by e-mail

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Je certifie ne pas envoyer d'e-mail indésirableL'humidité produite par la transpiration et la respiration en période de forte chaleur réduit l'efficacité des masques de protection. Des précautions particulières sont donc à prendre.

Warning: high heat reduces the effectiveness of our masks and can increase the risk of contamination. High temperatures increase the flow and frequency of respiration, leading to an increase in the number of droplets ejected through the mouth or nose. As a result, our mask can be completely wet in a few minutes.

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— Andrew Crowther Mon Jul 05 09:07:25 +0000 2021

Promote breathing through the nose

"humidity changes the properties of the mask, which will filter less well," explained Isabella Annesi-Maesano, research director at the Inserm at Le point last August. "to simplify, the viruses are smaller than the holes in the mask, but they are still caught, because when you breathe, the viruses stick to the fibres of the mask. But if the matter is wet, these fibres work less well and let the virus pass: you have to put a dry mask on as soon as possible."?

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For its part, the Institut national de recherche et de sécurité (INRS) recommends that "preference should be given to the most respirable materials possible without compromising the efficiency of filtration to reduce the temperature and humidity in the air inside the mask", if a fabric mask is chosen.? "it must be washed every time it is soiled, wet or badly positioned on the face," recalls the French Standards Association (Afnor).

Finally, the Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et sécurité du travail (Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et sécurité du travail) recommends "encouraging breathing through the nose (closed mouth) when wearing the mask, which generates less heat and moisture that will be retained in the mask."

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Mask and humidity: the right gestures

In order to maintain the full effectiveness of the mask, remember to change it regularly. As a reminder, the recommended limit for wearing a surgical mask is a maximum of 4 hours under normal conditions, and 8 hours for FFP masks, according to the manufacturer's package leaflet, but if you notice that it is wet, change it immediately.

To prevent perspiration from dampening your mask, you can wipe your face (after first disinfecting your hands) with a handkerchief that you will throw away later. Also, remember to have several spare masks on you in case.

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