Mumbai: Using a face mask is among the important precautions to be taken to keep the deadly coronavirus at bay. But a study has found that wearing a used face mask is more dangerous than not wearing one.
According to a Daily Mail report, researchers at the University of Massachusetts Lowell and California Baptist University observed that the three-layered surgical mask used by healthcare workers were more effective during first use, pushing out nearly three-quarters of infectious particles.
However, when reused, these masks become less effective and can push out only one quarter of the infectious particles.
Thus, the shape and condition of face mask is essential for their efficiency, the researchers suggested.