TITLE:
Evaluation of Nasal Functions While Wearing N95 Respirator and Surgical Facemask
AUTHORS:
Jianhua Zhu, Shujin Lee, Deyun Wang, Heow Pueh Lee
KEYWORDS:
N95 Respirator, Surgical Facemask, Smell Function Test, Spirometry
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.2 No.4,
June
12,
2014
ABSTRACT: There is a lack of reported studies on how
the long duration wearing of N95 respirators or surgical facemasks will affect
the upper airway functions. Considering the frequency of mask wearing especially
in hospitals and during an outbreak of influenza, it is essential to have such
data documented. Therefore, the current study is to establish the effect of
long duration wearing of N95 and surgical facemasks on upper airway functions.
47 staffs of National University Hospital Singapore in 2013 were recruited.
Each of the volunteers wore both N95 respirator and surgical facemask for 3
hours on two different days. During the period of mask wearing, relative
airflow rates were recorded. Smell function test was carried out before and
after mask wearing. The results show that no significant change of smell test
score was found after removal of both the two types of masks. With N95
respirator, more air was breathed into the upper airways compared to surgical
facemask.