Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in COVID 19 Pandemic Related Symptoms and Adverse Reactions in Healthcare Workers and General Population

Objectives: To assess prevalence of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)-related symptoms and adverse reactions during Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemics. Methods: We conducted an observational study among people exposed to various degree of infectious risk. Data were collected with a self-administered online questionnaire. Results: The entire cohort complained about a wide range of adverse reactions: respiratory symptoms affected 80.3% of respondents, 68.5% referred pressure-related skin lesions, fewer manifested a dermatosis of different grade or ocular symptoms. Most of the affected individuals belonged to healthcare staff and manifestations were predicted by wearing time (more than 6 h/d). Moreover, symptoms were higher in the healthcare staff wearing N95/FFP2 respirator mask. Conclusions: Given the crucial role of PPE to contain the pandemic infection, more attention has to be paid to exposed categories, establishing preventive measure of side effects to ensure total safety.

Automated summary

During the 2019 coronavirus pandemic, a wide range of adverse reactions were reported among individuals using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), especially healthcare workers wearing N95/FFP2 respirator masks. It is crucial to establish preventive measures to ensure the safety of exposed categories.