This study of wearing cloth masks for HCW, Health care workers. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/5/4/e006577 A health officer of 1 county thought best for public not to wear a mask as were buying a reduced availability item needed by HCW. Also breathing thru some materials might cause health problems, such as formaldehyde coating on some fabrics, or particulates such as cotton in a mill has caused (unspin ) lung illnesses. https://vcportal.ventura.org/CEO/VCNC/2020-05-05_VCNC_Masks_Pros_and_Cons.pdf
https://www.wellspringcls.com/face-masks-pose-serious-risks/ https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1600-0404.2005.00560.x lists HCW where headaches increased with mandetory mask usage (N95). Am guessing since a 2003 stressfull time that also played a part in.
This ia part of Dr Blaylock post which another website said was not correct, and no ref. (I found references) study, researchers examined the blood oxygen levels in 53 surgeons using an oximeter. They measured blood oxygenation before surgery as well as at the end of surgeries.4 The researchers found that the mask reduced the blood oxygen levels (pa02) significantly. The longer the duration of wearing the mask, the greater the fall in blood oxygen levels.
The importance of these findings is that a drop in oxygen levels (hypoxia) is associated with an impairment in immunity. Studies have shown that hypoxia can inhibit the type of main immune cells used to fight viral infections called the CD4+ T-lymphocyte. This occurs because the hypoxia increases the level of a compound called hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), which inhibits T-lymphocytes and stimulates a powerful immune inhibitor cell called the Tregs. . This sets the stage for contracting any infection, including COVID-19 and making the consequences of that infection much graver. In essence, your mask may very well put you at an increased risk of infections and if so, having a much worse outcome.5,6,7
References
bin-Reza F et al. The use of mask and respirators to prevent transmission of influenza: A systematic review of the scientific evidence. Resp Viruses 2012;6(4):257-67.
- Zhu JH et al. Effects of long-duration wearing of N95 respirator and surgical facemask: a pilot study. J Lung Pulm Resp Res 2014:4:97-100.
- Ong JJY et al. Headaches associated with personal protective equipment- A cross-sectional study among frontline healthcare workers during COVID-19. Headache 2020;60(5):864-877.
- Bader A et al. Preliminary report on surgical mask induced deoxygenation during major surgery. Neurocirugia 2008;19:12-126.
- Shehade H et al. Cutting edge: Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1 negatively regulates Th1 function. J Immunol 2015;195:1372-1376.
- Westendorf AM et al. Hypoxia enhances immunosuppression by inhibiting CD4+ effector T cell function and promoting Treg activity. Cell Physiol Biochem 2017;41:1271-84.
- Sceneay J et al. Hypoxia-driven immunosuppression contributes to the pre-metastatic niche. Oncoimmunology 2013;2:1 e22355.
- Blaylock RL. Immunoexcitatory mechanisms in glioma proliferation, invasion and occasional metastasis. Surg Neurol Inter 2013;4:15.
- Aggarwal BB. Nucler factor-kappaB: The enemy within. Cancer Cell 2004;6:203-208.
- Savransky V et al. Chronic intermittent hypoxia induces atherosclerosis. Am J Resp Crit Care Med 2007;175:1290-1297.
- Baig AM et al. Evidence of the COVID-19 virus targeting the CNS: Tissue distribution, host-virus interaction, and proposed neurotropic mechanisms. ACS Chem Neurosci 2020;11:7:995-998.
- Wu Y et al. Nervous system involvement after infection with COVID-19 and other coronaviruses. Brain Behavior, and Immunity, In press.
- Perlman S et al. Spread of a neurotropic murine coronavirus into the CNS via the trigeminal and olfactory nerves. Virology 1989;170:556-560.
http://www.rcjournal.com/contents/05.10/05.10.0569.pdf
Raymond J Roberge MD MPH, Aitor Coca PhD, W Jon Williams PhD,
Jeffrey B Powell MSc, and Andrew J Palmiero
Having some problems sometimes, (seems to depend on which store am in) when using a mask and feeling like not getting enough air. This has happened on really hot days and walking fast with a load and no mask also. Have experimented with various materials , bandana, scarf, surgeon mask bus driver gave me. N95 given to me during bad fire season. Was thinking a real wool mask felted, no dyes or pesticides or stuff on it, might work well.
Have seen some elderly people who look in trouble walking and wear a mask that seems to make all more of effort, but who is going to a Dr to ask if ok or not to wear a mask. Have been growing more foods, herbs on patio, so not have to shop as much. Be Well
