What type of face mask should we choose in coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic considering photoprotective effectiveness?
Background Wearing a face mask is one of the most effective personal protective strategies to diminish the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). Several dermatological outcomes were reported because of the prolonged use of face masks, especially due to the constant mask‐on policy, but the p...
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Published in | Photodermatology, photoimmunology & photomedicine Vol. 38; no. 6; pp. 548 - 554 |
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Main Authors | , , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
England
John Wiley and Sons Inc
01.11.2022
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Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | Background
Wearing a face mask is one of the most effective personal protective strategies to diminish the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). Several dermatological outcomes were reported because of the prolonged use of face masks, especially due to the constant mask‐on policy, but the photoprotective effect of face masks has received less attention.
Objective
The aim of this study was to provide guidance in the use of face masks by comparing the photoprotective effects of routinely used masks.
Methods
A total of 12 frequently used face masks were tested, including certified respirators, Korea filter (KF)94, KF‐anti‐droplet (KF‐AD), and KF80. The amount of light that penetrates each face mask was measured using a light sensor that can quantify Ultraviolet A (UVA), visible light (VL), and infrared A (IR‐A) rays.
Results
Black‐colored KF94 masks and surgical masks reduced penetration of UVA, VL, and IR‐A by approximately 100%. The UVA penetration decreased on average by 95.51%, 90.97%, 85.06%, and 86.41% with white‐colored KF94, KF‐AD, KF80, and surgical masks, respectively. The VL and IR‐A were blocked by approximately 75.58%, 66.16%, 59.18%, and 64.48% with white‐colored KF94, KF‐AD, KF80, and surgical masks, respectively.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the different photoprotective effectiveness of face masks was mainly determined by colors, and therefore, black‐colored, multi‐layered respirators can be recommended in terms of photoprotection in the COVID‐19 pandemic. The quantified comparative results will be helpful to the person with pre‐existing photo‐aggravated dermatosis, especially in the season of the high intensity of sunlight. |
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Bibliography: | Funding information This study was supported by the Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation (NRF) of Korea funded by the Ministry of Education (NRF‐2020R1I1A1A01075468). ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 |
ISSN: | 0905-4383 1600-0781 |
DOI: | 10.1111/phpp.12788 |