6 reasons to change your surgical mask every 4 hours during COVID-19

Surgical masks begin to lose their filtration strength after about four hours. The longer it’s worn, the less effective it becomes at blocking harmful particles.

Every breath adds moisture to your mask. After a few hours, it becomes damp, which weakens its protective barrier and may allow viruses or bacteria to pass through more easily.

The mask’s surface collects airborne germs over time. The longer you wear it, the higher the chance that you’re breathing through a contaminated layer.

Used masks can get clogged with moisture and particles, making breathing more difficult. Replacing your mask every few hours ensures better airflow.

Wearing a mask for too long often leads to frequent adjustments. This increases hand-to-face contact and heightens the risk of transferring germs.

Changing your surgical mask every four hours builds a habit of good hygiene. It keeps your protection levels high throughout the day.