In many companies, masks are already worn.
Because in closed rooms, the risk of infection with corona is increased.
But which one provides particularly good protection in the workplace?
Corona
masks
have become indispensable in everyday office life.
They are already worn in many companies - in some federal states there is even an obligation.
Which
masks are
particularly effective at protecting against corona infection
at work
- researchers give an answer.
Frankfurt / Gießen - The
face mask
has become normal in everyday life.
It is not only
worn
when
shopping
to
protect
against
corona infection
, it is also
mandatory
to cover your
mouth
and nose
in
local transport
.
In some federal states there is also a
mask requirement
in the
office
and in
administrative buildings
.
But how
useful
is it
to wear
a
mask at work
and which one provides the
best protection
?
The
mask requirement
was introduced to
curb
the spread of the
coronavirus
.
According to the recommendations of the
Robert Koch Institute (RKI),
wearing masks can
reduce
the
risk
of
infections
, according to the federal government.
You not only protect yourself, but also other people if the carrier is already
infected
.
The risk of infection with the
coronavirus is
increased,
especially in areas where many people meet
.
This also includes
open-plan offices
.
Masks are already worn in many companies.
Corona face mask at work: which mask best protects in the office
That a
mask
,
not only in the workplace
,
Research has already shown that it makes perfect sense.
A
full-face protection
, although sometimes impractical, especially for
eyeglass wearers
, but it can not just staying larger droplets when coughing or sneezing, but do any good even for the smallest particles.
So-called
aerosols
, especially smaller particles, are quickly distributed throughout the room under unfavorable conditions and also remain in the air for longer than half an hour.
Inhaling liquid particles containing virus is the main route of transmission of the
coronavirus
.
It is therefore important to minimize the risk of being
infected
in
closed rooms
.
This is exactly what
researchers at the Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen (THM) have been
working on.
They asked themselves which
type of mask
best
protects
against
corona infection
.
Under the direction of Professors Dr.
Henning Schneider and Dr.
Keywan Sohrabi from Gießen's Health Department, the research group created a simulation of a sneeze at a
standard office
workstation using the numerical fluid mechanics method
.
And made clear results in the process.
Mask types \ t |
Protective effect |
Everyday mask, DIY mask \ t |
Depending on the design, possibly protection against droplets when inhaling, the speed of the respiratory flow and droplet ejection may be reduced |
Medical face mask, surgical mask with CE mark \ t |
Protection against droplets, low protection against aerosols |
FFP2 mask, FFP3 mask with CE mark \ t |
Protection against droplets and aerosols |
(Source: Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices) |
Corona infection risk in the workplace: differences in mask types are serious
In the
simulation without a mask
, after the sneeze, the aerosol cloud spread more than two and a half meters in the direction of the sneeze within a second.
"It can reach a maximum of eight meters,"
says the THM report.
A
cotton mask
was used in
the second test
.
It was clear that it prevented the particles from spreading beyond one and a half meters.
In addition, the speed of propagation was reduced.
The
everyday mask also
led to a rapid drop in the aerosols.
This makes it an
effective protection
if you
follow
the usual
distance
rules, so the researchers.
+
Many companies take measures to protect against corona.
(Symbol image)
© Clara Margais / dpa
Also
FFP masks
that protect not only the environment but also the support and have a higher density also showed a good effect in the investigations.
However, due to the high pressure that
acts on the mask
when
sneezing
, some of the aerosols escape upwards, according to the scientists.
Wear a face mask in the office: researchers on masks: "absolutely recommendable"
The less popular
face shields
were also taken into account in the simulations.
According to the researchers, they are an
alternative to the mask
and primarily deflect aerosols downwards and backwards to the sides.
At a distance of more than one and a half meters, this type of mask offers good protection.
However, a combination of a
face visor and a cotton mask performed
best
.
However,
wearing
this combination at
work
for a
long time
is the most strenuous option and cannot be expected of anyone.
However, the
results
make it clear that
wearing a mask in closed rooms is “absolutely recommended”
, as Sohrabi and Schneider
say
in the conclusion of the
study
.
“Even the simplest mouth and nose covers and face shields offer good basic protection when several people are in one room.” The use of a fan on warmer days should also be avoided.
Without the protection of a
mask
and with the window closed, the aerosol cloud spreads throughout the room in a few seconds.
(svw / red)
Corona masks now not only determine everyday life, in terms of fashion, stylish but also some bizarre trends have developed around protective masks.
List of rubric lists: © Clara Margais / dpa
