According to experts, wearing a mouth and nose mask does not lead to a lack of oxygen.
An independent study in Italy is said to have come to the conclusion that the CO2 levels measured under the masks exceed the standard values for indoor air quality in school buildings and even the permitted values in the workplace.
So does this study prove that wearing masks is dangerous?
The fact check
No. As the colleagues at Correctiv write, this is not a serious study because measurements of the CO2 value directly under a mouth and nose mask (hereinafter referred to as MNS) are not meaningful. According to experts, wearing an MNS is harmless – there is no lack of oxygen.
The document to which the article in question refers has not been published in any specialist magazine and cannot be found in the Genios database . A Google search by Correctiv was unable to locate all of the authors listed. However, from architects to psychologists and homeopaths, there is also a surgeon and, according to the website, a “medical expert in anthroposophical medicine”.
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Correctiv's consultations with pulmonologists, pediatricians and an environmental medicine specialist revealed that wearing an MSN does not lead to increased CO2 levels. We have also already reported on the topic in various fact checks. (see here , here , here , here , here and here )
The conclusion of all experts:
The CO2 escapes through the breathable fabric, but also through the edges of the mask. There is also no lack of oxygen, which is supposedly associated with increased CO2 concentrations. The reduction in oxygen supply (mainly due to airway resistance) is small and may be compensated for by increased breathing.
See also the communication from the Federal Environment Agency .
Finally, it should be said that CO2 measuring devices are not intended for measuring under an MNS. According to the manufacturer, the device used in the study is a “portable CO2 analyzer” that is used by embryologists, stem cell researchers and laboratory technicians to measure air quality in incubators.
You can find more in-depth information in Correctiv’s fact check .
Conclusion:
The study in question does not meet scientific standards and was not published in any official journal. It is not evidence that CO2 levels would be significantly increased under an MNS.
In addition, CO2 devices designed for measurements in rooms or incubators are not intended to measure breathing air directly under a mask.
You might also be interested in: Fact check: Is there a risk of CO2 poisoning from wearing protective masks?
Article image: Roquillo Tebar / Shutterstock
Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )