Injuries related to respiratory masks in the US

Philip N. Cohen
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Philip N. Cohen: University of Maryland, College Park

No f3wbn, SocArXiv from Center for Open Science

Abstract: Background. Protective facemasks are important for preventing the spread of COVID-19, and almost all Americans have worn them at least some of the time during the pandemic. There are reasonable concerns about some ill effects of mask-wearing, especially for people who wear masks for extended periods, and for the risk of falling as a result of visual obstruction. But there are also unsupported fears and objections stemming from misinformation and fueled by political disputes. Methods. The study analyzed the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) for 2020, using the product code for Respiratory Protection Devices, and calculated population incidence rates using Census data. Results. The NEISS included 128 cases, representing an estimated 5122 reported injuries in the population (95% CI 3322, 6922). The overall rate of injury reports was 1.54 per 100,000 U.S. residents (95% CI 1.00, 2.08). People over age 75 had higher rates than the population overall, with 5.27 injuries per 100,000 (95% CI 2.17, 8.37). The most common type of incidents involved facial injuries, rashes, falls, and those that might be considered anxiety-related. Conclusion. Wearing protective face masks is extremely safe, especially in comparison with other common household products, and in light of their protective benefits with regard to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This information may be useful for public health messaging, and for practitioners trying to increase compliance with mask-wearing guidance.

Date: 2021-12-17
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-hea
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:osf:socarx:f3wbn

DOI: 10.31219/osf.io/f3wbn

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