German Study: Masks May Be Harmful to Children

A study published in JAMA Pediatrics recently studied the effects of masks on more than 25,000 children. Researchers measured the carbon dioxide content of air that the children inhaled after wearing masks for 3 minutes. The study found that the average amount of carbon dioxide after even that short time was 6 times the level that the 2,000 ppm that the German government deems safe in closed room. The lowest measured carbon dioxide level was three times that safe level.  The study concluded, "We suggest that decision-makers weigh the hard evidence produced by these experimental measurements accordingly, which suggest that children should not be forced to wear face masks."

U.S. standards for carbon dioxide are higher than German. For example, OSHA allows 5,000 ppm for 8-hour exposure. The German study, however, showed more carbon dioxide than even those higher levels, with the average being more than 13,000 ppm.  

The study has not been replicated, but it had a large sample size.  The implications for children wearing masks for long period of times and during exercise warrant a long look by camps, schools, and other youth organizations. It is possible that requiring masks is counterproductive, particularly for long periods of time.