With all the haze issues in the country, little that we know that N95 masks for kids and pregnant women really are, not suitable for their usage.
N95 masks are not recommended for children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with chronic illnesses
All parents should make sure that their children stay indoors as much as possible during Malaysia’s hazy conditions. Especially since the N95 masks which are on the market have not been certified for them, according to the Ministry of Health (MOH).
Experts in Singapore recently announced that N95 masks are not suitable for children below 15 years, pregnant women, the elderly and those suffering from chronic diseases as the masks will make it more difficult for them to breathe.
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N95 masks for kids and pregnant women: N95 masks causes increased effort in breathing
Singapore’s Inter-Agency Haze Task Force informed the public that the majority of people do not need to wear N95 masks unless they are outdoors when the Air Pollutant Index (API) has exceeded 300 for more than 24 hours.
Children, pregnant women, senior citizens and those with chronic respiratory, cardiac or other medical conditions are advised to stay indoors when the API exceeds 300.
And if they do have to go outdoors, they should not wear N95 masks for a long period as these masks require more effort to breathe.
In its latest advisory, it noted that the use of the N95 mask “increases the effort in breathing and may cause discomfort, tiredness or headache. For most people, this is not serious”.
It added: “However, as some elderly people, people with chronic lung disease, heart disease or stroke and women in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy may already have reduced lung volumes or breathing issues, they should stop using an N95 mask if they feel uncomfortable. They should consult their doctor as to whether they can use the N95 mask.”
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Sources:
N95 masks not certified for children’s use: MOH