For the authorities, their effectiveness is not proven

The available data are insufficient to prove a profit sanitary masks "antipollution", estimates a report from ANSES published this Wednesday. The National Health Security Agency, seized at the end of 2015 by the Ministries of Health and Labor, therefore considers that it can not recommend their use.

In view of the public health challenge represented by the pollution of the air, "the question of the interest of recommending to the population the wearing of personal protective equipment (PPE) is regularly asked," recalls ANSES. But, according to the Agency, "the expertise revealed the insufficiency of available data attesting to a benefit for the health" masks, "especially in real conditions of use."

[ #Air ] The @Anses_fr publishes the results of his expertise on the potential health benefit of wearing a mask called "antipollution."
➡️ https://t.co/wiU6vlB5aW pic.twitter.com/2VgWsewQC0

– Anses (@Anses_fr) July 18, 2018

Efficiency "under real conditions of use" is not proven

"Si the effectiveness of a mask tested in the laboratory can prove to be high, it does not reflect the effectiveness in real conditions of use ", underlines the report of 150 pages.

" Indeed, the effectiveness decreases due to a poor fit in the face, lack of mask maintenance, lack of ormation of the user, intense physical activity, etc. "And" if these differences can be more or less controlled in the workplace, this is not guaranteed for the general public, "notes the report.

Masks do not protect gases

Also most masks "antipollution" on the French market are designed to protect particles, but not substances in the gaseous state, adds the ANSES, which excluded from its badysis the surgical masks and complete masks also covering eyes and chin.

Moreover, the wearing of this type of equipment "may give a false sense of protection to its user and lead to behaviors possibly leading to overexposure to pollutants", warns the Agency, which for all these reasons "Does not recommend to the public authorities to encourage the wearing of such devices."

Better to act at the source of pollution according to ANSES

To reduce the health impacts of the atmospheric pollution, "the Agency reiterates the importance of acting primarily at source, by limiting pollutant emissions. In addition, it recommends a better information of the population, in particular the sensitive people, on the behaviors to be adopted to limit the daily exposure ", according to the release. The Agency also requests public authorities to provide information to travelers and expatriates in certain regions of the world where air pollution is high.

[ #Air ] The ] @Anses_fr recalls the importance of acting primarily at the source, by limiting polluting emissions, to reduce the health impacts.
➡️ https://t.co/wiU6vlB5aW pic. twitter.com/HkBrIIcHfn

– Anses (@Anses_fr) July 18, 2018

Finally, concerning workers who are particularly exposed, it recommends "developing prevention tools for employers" and launching reflection on the relevance of establishing occupational exposure limit values. According to Agence Public Publique France, particle pollution alone causes 48,000 premature deaths in France.

>> To read also: Seven million people die each year in the world because of the air pollution

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