Can wearing a mask for a long time lead to an increase in pulmonary nodules?
Recently, there is a saying on the Internet that the meltblown cloth in the middle layer of the mask is a petroleum product, in which fine particles will enter the human lungs through the respiratory tract, and long-term wearing will lead to the enlargement of lung nodules. That was not the case. Wearing a mask during the normal use period will not produce particles, nor will it lead to an increase in lung nodules.
In addition to cotton, wool, hemp, silk, regenerated cellulose fibers and other textile materials, many synthetic fibers, including meltblown fabrics, are made of petroleum-based materials. Polypropylene, as the main petroleum-based material, has a wide range of uses. Melt-blown cloth used to make masks is a superfine fiber nonwoven material processed from polypropylene polymer materials.
After this polymer material is processed into melt-blown cloth, it has certain strength and excellent filtration performance. As long as it is not exposed to the sun and does not exceed its service life, it will not produce fine particles.
Wearing a mask not only won't cause nodules or make nodules bigger, but also can prevent nodules from happening or getting bigger, because wearing a mask can prevent some harmful dust, bacteria, harmful gases and so on. And have a certain filtering effect on them, so as to reduce the damage of these factors to the lungs, thereby reducing the occurrence of pulmonary nodules or preventing pulmonary nodules from getting bigger. Therefore, wearing a mask can not only prevent nodules from getting bigger, but also protect the human body from nodules.
Rumors stop with wise men. It is a misunderstanding and a rumor that wearing a mask leads to the enlargement of pulmonary nodules. It is necessary to eliminate the influence of rumors and care for everyone's lung health through health science popularization.
What is the cause of pulmonary nodules?
Pulmonary nodule is one of the common and frequently-occurring diseases in clinic, with a high incidence in China. According to relevant research results, the overall incidence of pulmonary nodules in China is about 10%-20%, and the population over 40 years old may be higher. Pulmonary nodules refer to focal circular dense shadows with different sizes, clear or blurred edges and diameters less than or equal to 3cm on lung images.
Pulmonary nodules are distributed all over the world The incidence rate is high in Europe and America, but rare in eastern countries. Most of them are 20-40 years old, and women are slightly more than men. Although the real cause of pulmonary nodules is not particularly clear, but common are lung infection, tuberculosis, old lesions, pulmonary sarcoidosis and so on. It is a common cause of pulmonary nodules. When someone talks about nodules, they think of lung tumors, which is incorrect. Actually, pulmonary nodules don't mean that.