A new form of irritant rhinitis to filtering facepiece particle (FFP) masks (FFP2/N95/KN95 respirators) during COVID-19 pandemic.
Allergy
CE, conformité européenne label indicating conformity to the EU-regulation 765/2008
COVID-19, coronavirus disease from the year 2019
ECP, eosinophilic cationic protein
FFP, filtering facepiece particle
FFP2-Mask
Filtering facepiece masks
Irritant rhinitis
KN95-Mask
N95 / KN95, technical / physical standard for filtering face masks (not penetrated by particles larger 0.3 μm, N/KN indicating that aqueous, but not oily aerosols are filtered
N95-mask
PPE, personal protective equipment
SD / SEM, standard deviation / standard error of the mean
VAS, visual analogue scale
WHO, World Health Organization
Journal
The World Allergy Organization journal
ISSN: 1939-4551
Titre abrégé: World Allergy Organ J
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 101481283
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Oct 2020
Oct 2020
Historique:
received:
13
07
2020
revised:
15
09
2020
accepted:
16
09
2020
pubmed:
13
10
2020
medline:
13
10
2020
entrez:
12
10
2020
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Filtering facepiece particle (FFP) masks are important items of personal protective equipment in fighting COVID-19 pandemic. They shall protect the wearer of the mask from particles, droplets, and aerosols, but they also can prevent the spread of aerosol-transmitted viruses if the wearer becomes infected. Most often, FFP respirators consist of multiple layers of non-woven fabric made from polypropylene. Worldwide, FFP respirators are subject to various regulatory standards that specify physical properties and performance characteristics. During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, health authorities have temporarily repealed standards for respirators. We report on 46 patients that presented with rhinitis-like symptoms strongly associated to the use of FFP masks. Some of them were obliged to use FFP masks in their work environment. Nasal endoscopy showed edemata of the nasal mucosa that significantly decreased after a period of non-use of FFP masks. Subjectively reported symptom levels decreased after cessation of FFP use for 3 or more days. The presence of polypropylene fibres isolated from nasal rinsing solution was significantly associated with the use of FFP masks in our patients. Material safety and performance deregulation of FFP masks can pose a health risk. Thus, especially health care professionals and other individuals with occupational need for FFP masks should be aware of possible hazards that come with COVID-19 pandemic protection measures.
Identifiants
pubmed: 33042359
doi: 10.1016/j.waojou.2020.100474
pii: S1939-4551(20)30377-X
pmc: PMC7538121
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Pagination
100474Informations de copyright
© 2020 The Authors.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
LK,TH, AA, MS, KH, CM and JH declare no competing interests.
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