The Effects of Masks on Breathing

Abstract

As COVID-19 continues to affect the lives of all members of the USI community, Ayli Anvaripour and Brandon Turner decided to present their Honors capstone on the controversial topic: The Effect of Masks on Breathing. People around the world continue to ask, "Are my blood oxygen levels decreasing as a result of wearing a mask?" To answer this question, this presentation dives into the physiological processes that occur while breathing and how wearing a mask affects these processes. To stress the importance of wearing a mask during the COVID-19 pandemic, this presentation also explains the lack of significance behind decreased oxygen levels and how masks are easily permeable to gaseous molecules like oxygen and carbon dioxide. Additionally, this presentation explains the overall importance of wearing a mask to prevent the spread of common airborne illnesses (e.g. influenza), as fabric and surgical masks are a sufficient barrier.