Inhaled CO₂ Concentration While Wearing Face Masks: A Pilot Study Using Capnography.

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 (CO₂) concentration, when wearing masks.

Methods

We measured end-tidal CO₂ 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 CO₂ concentration was computed as: ([mask volume × end-tidal CO₂] + [tidal volume - mask volume] × ambient air

SUBMITTER: Acuti Martellucci C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9483963 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature