Respiratory masks in smog useful

Can respirators help with smog?

08/04/2015

Respiratory masks are widely used in traffic in Asian cities. In the meantime, more and more people can be seen in Europe who want to protect themselves from particulate matter pollution. But these masks really help?

Do respirators really bring something?
Respirators are widely used in road traffic in the Far East. Travelers have also recently been advised by the Center for Travel Medicine (CRM) to wear such masks, as dangerous smog in Asian cities can have serious health effects. Also in Europe, more and more people, especially allergy sufferers, hope for better protection against fine dust and pollen. The question of whether the respirators but really bring something is „n-tv.de“ followed in the reading order.

Fine dust and pollen can penetrate masks without problems
The effect of respirators is purely psychological, said Karl-Christian Bergmann from the Allergie-Centrum-Charité, Karl Christian Bergmann. This applies both in terms of fine dust, as well as pollen. The tiny particles of ten to 100 microns in size can easily penetrate a regular dust mask. The between 2.5 and 10 microns small fine dust is poorly filterable. It can penetrate deep into the lung tissue and from there into the bloodstream and trigger inflammatory processes.

Serious health risks
As the CRM explained, the sequelae ranged from local irritation of the mucous membranes, respiratory tract and bronchial tubes to heart attack, stroke and lung cancer. In addition, a US study found several years ago that women living near major roads are 20 percent more likely to develop type II diabetes because of particulate matter pollution. A pilot study in the Ruhr area also observed frequent diabetes cases on busy roads.

Special masks can help allergy sufferers
According to CRM, only EN149 dust masks filtering particles up to 0.15 microns in size would actually help. Allergy expert Bergmann doubts, however, that they fully protect. He knows no published data. However, since pollen can not actually pass through the EN149 mask, they can be of great help to people suffering from pollen allergy and hay fever. Experts recommend that you wear these special masks during a longer stay in thick air with a high level of particulate matter, especially for children, pregnant women and people who already have respiratory problems or who suffer from chronic lung or cardiovascular diseases. However, every pollen allergy sufferer has to find out for himself whether it is worthwhile even in lukewarm spring air to stretch a bulky mask over his mouth and nose for a clear nose. (Ad)