Conclusion
CM
HEAT
Wearing a mask had no effect on cognitive performance during light to moderate work, but resulted in subjective discomfort, in particular difficult breathing and the feeling of humidity and heat under the mask. Feeling of discomfort increased with progressing time of mask wearing and rising physical exertion. Effects correlated well with physiological parameters and with temperature and humidity underneath the mask. Validated by double-blinded testing, it was shown that subjective impairment was similar with SM and CM and most pronounced with FFP2. Subjects with a higher index for intolerance and avoidance of discomfort were generally more likely to report increased discomfort when wearing a mask during physical exertion. Thus, consideration of individual factors and expert advice are important when determining protective measures such as the type of mask to be used and the duration of mask wearing as part of the risk assessment.