The Aga Khan University Hospital has banned the use of masks with valve respirators within its premises.
The hospital made a statement on Wednesday warning that the valve masks only protect the wearer and while those around the wearers are not protected.
The statement read in part, "The design of these masks allows inhaled air to be filtered but the exhaled air is not. The exhaled air can be expelled towards others even more than from a person not wearing a mask.”
While experts advise face coverings can help cut the spread of coronavirus, scientists have warned that not all facial coverings offer protection to both the mask wearers and those around them.
The statement explained further, “Some types of masks, including N95 masks as well as cloth masks, include a plastic one-way valve on the front that makes it easier to breathe. When you breathe in, the valve is closed, but when you breathe out, it opens to allow your exhalation to leave unfiltered.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) does not advise using masks or respirators with exhalation valves.
According to recent studies, masks with valve respirators are less effective at preventing the spread of the coronavirus because they put people near the wearer at risk.
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