PREVENTION OF ASTHMA INDUCED BY COLD-AIR BY CELLULOSE-FABRIC FACE MASK

We have tested the effect of a porous cellulose fabric face mask. Nine asthmatic patients, anamnestically sensitive to cold, took part in ex ercise tests on an ergometer bicycle at a temperature of approximately -10 degrees C, with and without a face mask. For comparison, exercise tests were also performed with breathing taking place through a woole n scarf. Three minutes after finishing the exercise test, there was an average fall in FEV(1) of 32% in the group without a face mask. The c orresponding fall in FEV(1) was 6% with a face mask and 17% with a sca rf. In order to get some idea of the patients' attitudes to the face m ask, it was used by 25 asthma patients during a period of 2 weeks in w inter, after which they were asked to answer a simple questionnaire. E ighty-eight percent of the patients stated that the face mask had prov ided satisfactory protection against asthma complaints induced by cold air, and 72% reported that they had been able to spend more time out- of-doors. The results show that porous cellulose fabric designed as a face mask offers effective protection against asthma complaints induce d by cold air and exercise, and that the patients appear to appreciate this protective aid highly despite the cosmetic disadvantages.