Effects of wearing masks on human health and comfort during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

To explore the influence of wearing different types of masks on people’s health and comfort, an experimental study was conducted through a subjective questionnaire survey, physiological response test, and thermal imaging test. The results showed that, in a warm environment, wearing masks for a long time significantly affected the subjective feelings and physiological reactions of people. After wearing the mask, the personnel feels more hot and humid, the discomfort is significantly increased. At the same time, the mean skin temperature increases, the heart rate increases, and the blood oxygen saturation level decreases, which ultimately leads to a decline in health and comfort levels. Different types of masks have different effects on people. The effects of wearing KN95 masks, gauze masks, medical surgical masks, disposable civilian masks, disposable medical masks, and sponge masks on people’s health and comfort levels are sequentially reduced.