Buzz
A social media image suggests that hypercapnia, which refers to inhaling too much carbon dioxide, might result in symptoms like dizziness and fatigue. While this is accurate, the image incorrectly implies a connection between hypercapnia and mask-wearing.
Just as a reminder, if you're wearing a mask while out, it should be a cloth mask. Medical-grade N95 respirators are reserved for healthcare professionals, and hardware store N95 masks are unsuitable because their valves may allow the virus to pass through.
Is it possible for a mask, whether cloth or otherwise, to trap enough carbon dioxide to cause fatigue or other symptoms? Thankfully, the answer is no.
Carbon dioxide is a tiny molecule, much smaller than the openings in any of these types of masks. Remember, masks block saliva and mucus droplets, but still allow air to pass through.
If you were wearing a plastic bag, that could be dangerous, but masks are designed with porous materials for a reason. Carbon dioxide can pass through them with ease. While masks may feel stuffy due to the moisture from your own breath, they are not slowly poisoning you.
Once again, this theory doesn’t hold up. If masks truly caused drowsiness and confusion, medical professionals would walk into work, put on their masks, and quickly become incapacitated. Masks would never have become standard gear if that were the case. How could a surgeon perform hours-long surgeries if they were suffering from carbon dioxide poisoning the whole time?
Interestingly, those sharing memes about hypercapnia and masks are often the same people who were opposing masks for other reasons just weeks ago. It's worth asking whether someone is sharing information because it’s something they actually want to believe.
That being said, there are situations where wearing a mask may not be safe. According to the CDC, individuals with breathing issues and children under two years old should avoid wearing them. If you suffer from anxiety, the sensation of wearing a mask might resemble the feelings you experience during a panic attack. But if none of these conditions apply, there's no reason to believe that wearing a mask could harm your health or cognitive abilities. It might be annoying, but it’s not poisoning you.
