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.