Evaluation of the Impact of Wearing a Filtering Half Mask on the Cognitive Indicators of Users

Purpose. Study of the influence of users' cognitive indicators on decision-making time when using filtering half masks. Method. 10 men and 5 women who used RPA-DE filtering half masks manufactured by Research and Production Enterprise STANDART took part in the study. During the study, the time and speed of the reaction of half masks users to a stimulus were determined, which allows us to assess the speed of decision-making when performing professional activities in a polluted working environment. The tasks were performed in the absence of physical exertion: once in a half mask, another time without a half mask (control value). The tasks measured the ability to suppress obstacles (Stroop Color Word test), visual search speed, processing speed and mental flexibility, reaction speed (Trailmaking Halstead–Reitan test), level of attention and logical thinking (Raven's Test), anxiety level (IDRlabs resource .com). Three main tasks were performed by the research participant for 40 minutes, after which a test was performed to determine the level of anxiety. Results. The ability to suppress obstacles, reaction speed, and level of logical thinking did not differ significantly between the control value and when wearing a half mask. As for women, the speed of reaction was higher than for men, but in groups of both sexes (in each of the groups) there were no significant differences between tests with and without a half mask. When performing any task to determine the speed of reaction and logic of thinking while wearing a half mask, the results of men and women and when comparing them with each other did not have significant differences. At the same time, the level of anxiety during tasks was 8% higher with the use of half mask s than without it. Scientific novelty . It has been established that wearing a filtering half mask increases the level of stress and anxiety of users when performing mental tasks due to an increase in the load on the cardiovascular system. Practical value . The results show that short-term wearing of a half mask in the lack of other influences does not impair cognitive performance, which indicates the absence of additional risks when using personal protective equipment for users when performing industrial tasks .