Mythbusters: Do Masks Cause Oxygen Deficiency Or CO2 Intoxication

by Zach Govia July 08, 2020

With many regions beginning to make face masks/coverings mandatory in indoor public spaces, there has been a lot of back lash from the public claiming that masks are hazardous to their health. One of the main concerns is that you do not get enough oxygen in when wearing a face mask/covering. Below, we discuss the truth behind this claim.

There have been several protests to wearing face masks because many people believe find it hard to breathe while wearing a mask. While it may be uncomfortable, this is simply not true. According to the WHO, "The prolonged use of medical masks can be uncomfortable. However, it does not lead to CO2 intoxication nor oxygen deficiency".