An Increase in Respiratory Protection Device Injuries Associated with the COVID-19 Pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a 2400% increase in face mask-related injuries treated in U.S. emergency departments, rising from approximately 200 annually from 2016 to 2019 to 4976 in 2020. The study, which used data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS), found that these injuries spanned all age groups, with a majority being women and with White and Black patients equally represented. The most common injuries were dermatitis (28.3%) and laceration (10.1%), primarily affecting the face, head, and fingers. The injuries were mainly due to rashes/allergic reactions (38%), poorly fitting masks (19%), obscured vision (14%), and application issues (10%). Obscured vision injuries included falls and motor vehicle collisions. A small percentage of injuries in children were due to ingestion or insertion of mask pieces into orifices, while elderly patients experienced falls related to bending over to pick up dropped masks. The study highlights the need for increased awareness and proper use of face masks to minimize injuries.