Safety and Health at Work Vol. 13 Supplement 2022
What Kind of Mask Should Workers and the Public Wear for an Aerosol-Transmissible Infectious Disease?

Safety and Health at Work Vol. 13 Supplement 2022
What Kind of Mask Should Workers and the Public Wear for an Aerosol-Transmissible Infectious Disease?

Mask,Workers,Public, WearAerosol-Transmissible Infectious Disease

In a Commentary published by the University of Minnesota Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) in early 2020, I demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 easily fulfills the criteria for biological plausibility of aerosol transmission. Not until early 2021, however, did CDC and WHO finally admit the possibility of close- range aerosol inhalation transmission. In a second CIDRAP Commentary on the role of masks e cloth face coverings, surgical/ medical masks, and respirators e I found that data on cloth face coverings were limited but suggestive of ineffectiveness at limiting person-to-person transmission in indoor, enclosed spaces. Data on surgical masks also did not support a strong role for their ability to prevent person-to-person transmission. Respirators, on the other hand, even if not fit tested, could be effective at limiting both aerosol emission and inhalation, for workers and the public. Time has been the most important element missing from the dis-
cussion of COVID-19 exposure and transmission. Masks may lower
the concentration of exhaled or inhaled particles, but with time their role diminishes as the wearer continues to emit and inspire infectious particles. While the infectious dose of SARS-CoV-2 is not known, it is clearly very low. Even if a mask lowers the inhaled concentration, exposure over time ensures the receipt of an infectious dose. Why are CDC and public health and medical professionals so fixated on “masks” as an effective intervention for preventing person-to-person transmission? The perspective and underlying “science” of the infection prevention and control “droplet dogma” have been continuously debunked throughout the pandemic by numerous scientists in numerous high impact journals, but this perspective continues to hold sway. Is there a chance, with this pandemic, for a “paradigm shift” toward a more informed scientific theory of aerosol transmission that will better inform the selection of more effective controls than cloth and surgical masks?

LM Brosseau

Elsevier Korea LLC

January 2022

Sri Wahyuni

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Safety and Health at Work Vol. 13 Supplement 2022