The effect of wearing an FFP3 mask (3M TM Aura TM ) with an exhalation valve on gas exchange in medical staff
Objectives The physiological impact of wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), in particular filtering-face-piece 3 (FFP3) masks, has increasingly been gaining importance since the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). So far, gas exchange has been examined using transcutaneously mea...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine
2021-12-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://ijomeh.eu/The-effect-of-wearing-an-FFP3-mask-3M-TM-Aura-TM-with-an-exhalation-valve-on-gas,133697,0,2.html |
| Summary: | Objectives
The physiological impact of wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), in particular filtering-face-piece 3 (FFP3) masks, has increasingly
been gaining importance since the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). So far, gas exchange has been examined using transcutaneously
measured partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO 2 ), ergo-spirometry and impedance cardiography.
Material and Methods
In this
structured investigation, arterial blood gas analysis in a 30-year-old female resident was carried out during a 13-hour day shift on the COVID-19
Intensive Care Unit of the University Hospital of Innsbruck, Austria. An FFP3 mask (3M TM Aura TM ) with an exhalation valve was continuously worn,
except for 1 break of 20 min. Arterial blood samples were obtained before putting on the PPE, and after 5 h, 9 h and 13 h of working in the contaminated
area.
Results
During the multi-hour wearing time, an increase in PaCO 2 (the baseline value: 29.3 mm Hg, the max. value: 38.9 mm Hg) and
a continuous decrease in partial pressure of oxygen (PaO 2 , the baseline value: 102 mm Hg, the min. value: 80.8 mm Hg) was detectable.
Conclusions
All measured values were within the normal range, but a trend towards an insufficient gas exchange could be suspected. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2021;34(6):817–9 |
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| ISSN: | 1232-1087 1896-494X |