Influência dos fatores ambientais no uso de máscaras não profissionais utilizadas na prevenção da transmissão da Covid-19

Abstract

The article aimed to analyze the relationship between the relative humidity (RH) of the air and the use of non-professional masks used in the Covid-19 pandemic. A weighing experiment was carried out on two models of non-professional masks at the beginning and every 15 minutes of their use for 3 to 5 hours in different RH air conditions. The achieved values ​​of mass with the cotton mask in 3 hours of use in the open environment (30% RH) were reached in 15 minutes in the closed with 50% RH and were extrapolated 3 times in 15 minutes in the 70% RH UR and 4 times at 90% RH. The achieved values ​​of mass with the cotton and elastane mask in 3 hours of use in the open environment were also reached in 3 hours in the closed with 50% RH, were extrapolated in just 15 minutes in the one with 70% RH, and in 3 times not at 90% RH. Environmental factors such as high air RH can decrease the time of 3 hours of use, recommended by Anvisa, for non-professional masks, suggesting the need for further discussion by health agencies.