Ambient air pollution is today, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), the main environmental risk to health in the world. Exposure to air pollution is notably responsible for the development of respiratory and cardiovascular pathologies. In this context, ANSES received a request from the ministries responsible for health and labor to assess the potential health benefits of wearing a so-called “anti-pollution” mask, in particular for:
- the general population and in particular those most sensitive to air pollution;
- certain particularly exposed populations, for example workers working on the public highway or expatriates in highly polluted areas of the world.
Insufficient data to attest to the health benefit of so-called “anti-pollution” masks
The effectiveness of a mask depends on its design, the performance of the filter with which it is equipped, and other parameters such as its adaptation to the morphology of the user. Thus, if the effectiveness of a mask tested in the laboratory may prove to be high, it does not necessarily reflect the effectiveness in real conditions of use by the general population. Indeed, the effectiveness decreases due to poor adjustment to the face, lack of maintenance of the mask, lack of information and training of the user, intense physical activity, etc. If these deviations can be more or less controlled in the professional environment thanks to training in hygiene and safety gestures, this control is not guaranteed for the general public.
In addition, most of the so-called “anti-pollution” masks listed on the French market are designed to protect once morest particles present in the ambient air and do not protect once morest substances present in a gaseous state.
The expert report concludes that there is insufficient data available, particularly in real conditions of use, to certify a health benefit linked to the wearing of so-called “anti-pollution” masks by the general public.
In addition, wearing a so-called “anti-pollution” mask can give the user a false sense of protection and lead to behaviors possibly leading to overexposure to pollutants in the air.
Thus, the Agency does not recommend that the public authorities encourage the wearing of such devices.
Limit exposure to air pollution
ANSES reiterates the importance of acting first at the source, by limiting polluting emissions to reduce health impacts. In addition, it recommends improving the information of the population and sensitive people on the behaviors to adopt in order to limit daily exposure.
The Agency also recommends that the public authorities provide specific information on the potential health risks to travelers and expatriates in certain regions of the world where ambient air pollution levels are particularly high.
With regard to workers exposed to ambient air pollution, the Agency recommends that those involved in prevention take up the issue and include it in their risk assessment process. It recommends developing awareness and prevention tools for employers and initiating reflection on the feasibility and relevance of developing specific occupational exposure limit values for ambient air pollution.
On the other hand, devices claiming a respiratory protection action once morest ambient air pollution but also prevention or comfort must meet the requirements of the regulations for personal protective equipment (PPE). Noting certain discrepancies, the Agency recommends improving transparency on the claims of efficacy of products placed on the market in order to ensure that the devices sold comply with the required obligations and that the users of this type of protection are duly informed.
